Faith Nyasuguta
Kenyans living and working abroad have once again shown just how crucial they are to the country’s economic heartbeat. In the year leading up to June 2025, Kenyans in the diaspora sent home a record-breaking USD 5.08 billion (KSh 656.99 billion), marking the highest annual remittance Kenya has ever recorded.
The latest figures from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) paint a clear picture of just how resilient and generous the Kenyan diaspora has remained, even amid global economic uncertainties. Remittances in June 2025 alone hit USD 423 million (KSh 54.68 billion), a strong 13.8% jump from the USD 372 million (KSh 48.06 billion) sent during the same month in 2024.
This steady rise reaffirms Kenya’s position among Africa’s top ten countries receiving the highest diaspora remittances. The CBK has hailed the growth in these inflows as a vital cushion for the nation’s economy. “The steady growth in remittance inflows remains a key source of foreign exchange earnings and continues to support the balance of payments,” the Bank noted in its latest report.
The upward trend has not been limited to June alone. August 2024 also posted a notable spike, with Kenyans abroad remitting USD 427.2 million (KSh 55.01 billion), up USD 72.9 million (KSh 9.4 billion) from August 2023. For the twelve months ending August 2024, total remittance inflows rose to USD 4.645 billion (KSh 593 billion) compared to USD 4.120 billion (KSh 529 billion) for the same period the previous year an increase of 12.7%.
This continued growth showcases the diaspora’s unwavering commitment to their families back home, despite rising living costs in their host countries. For many households across Kenya, these funds provide a critical safety net, covering school fees, medical bills, daily living expenses and even investments in small businesses and property.
But beyond the personal impact, remittances have become an economic backbone for Kenya. They inject billions of shillings into the economy, spur local development, fuel entrepreneurial ventures and help create jobs. They also play a strategic role in strengthening the country’s foreign exchange reserves, shielding the shilling from external shocks, and supporting macroeconomic stability.
Kenya’s impressive remittance figures highlight a deeper reality: the enduring bond between Kenyans abroad and their homeland. For many in the diaspora, sending money home is more than a duty – it’s a show of love, hope, and belief in Kenya’s future.
As the country tackles both opportunities and challenges, diaspora dollars continue to provide the resilience needed to withstand global and domestic pressures. They also build hope – hope for families to afford better education, access improved healthcare, and break cycles of poverty.
In the bigger picture, this steady flow of funds offers a lifeline for growth and social stability. It signals that even far from home, Kenyans remain tightly knit to the country’s story – shaping it one remittance at a time.
RELATED:
