Kenyans living abroad have sent home over Ksh1 trillion this year, marking the highest remittance record in the country’s history.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi announced during a media briefing in Nairobi, describing the milestone as a major boost to the economy.
“Diaspora remittances remain a vital pillar of our economy, providing financial support to households while directly contributing to national development,” Mudavadi said.
Central Bank data shows that remittances grew from Ksh 543.3 billion in 2023 to Ksh 651.7 billion in 2024, before hitting the Ksh 1 trillion mark in November 2025.
Mudavadi said the growth is linked to better engagement with Kenyans abroad and job opportunities created through government agreements.
Over 430,000 Kenyans have secured employment overseas since 2023 through Bilateral Labour Agreements, while many others have found digital work under the Ajira Digital Programme.
He said the government remains focused on protecting Kenyans working abroad, especially in high-risk regions like the Middle East and Southeast Asia. Since 2022, more than 500 Kenyans have been rescued and repatriated from situations involving abuse and forced labour.
“While celebrating these milestones, we must remain vigilant against threats posed by unscrupulous agents and human traffickers,” he warned.
Mudavadi said 126 Kenyans are still awaiting repatriation, including 69 in Thailand and 57 in Myanmar. He urged job seekers to only use accredited recruitment agencies or the National Employment Authority to avoid falling victim to fraudsters.
The government is also negotiating new job placements with Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Jordan. “These agreements not only generate income for families but also support our development goals such as healthcare, education and social welfare,” Mudavadi said.
The Ministry noted that diaspora remittances have now surpassed earnings from major exports such as tea, coffee and horticulture. The government plans to channel these funds into entrepreneurship, trade and investment to drive long-term growth.
Mudavadi said the diaspora continues to play a vital role beyond financial contributions.
“Our citizens abroad are not only contributors to our economy but also ambassadors of our national interests,” he said.
He also highlighted Kenya’s growing trade ties within the East African region. In 2024, exports to Uganda were valued at Ksh 125 billion compared to imports worth KSh 36 billion, while exports to Tanzania stood at Ksh 65 billion against imports of Ksh 57 billion.
Mudavadi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to protecting Kenyans abroad and ensuring their contributions benefit the country’s development.
“Our goal is to ensure every Kenyan working abroad is safe, valued and empowered to contribute to the nation’s progress,” he said.
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