Top 10 Countries Sending the Most Money to Kenya as Diaspora Remittances Cross KSh1 Trillion
Top 10 Countries Sending the Most Money to Kenya as Diaspora Remittances Cross KSh1 Trillion
Kenya’s diaspora remittances have crossed the KSh1 trillion mark for the first time, highlighting the growing economic contribution of Kenyans working abroad.
The latest data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), and FSD Kenya shows diaspora remittances exceeded US$5 billion, making them one of Kenya’s largest sources of foreign exchange alongside tea, tourism and horticulture exports.
The inflows continue to be largely driven by skilled professionals working in North America, Europe and the Middle East, while recipient households primarily use the funds for food, school fees, healthcare and household expenses.
The top 10 countries sending the most money to Kenya include:
-
United States
The United States remains Kenya’s largest source of remittances by a wide margin. During the first quarter of 2026, Kenyans living in the US sent home US$622.63 million, down slightly from US$652.47 million recorded during the same period in 2025.
Despite the decline, the US still contributes several times more than any other individual country.
Around 165,000 Kenyans live in the United States, mainly across Texas, California, Maryland, New Jersey, Georgia and Minnesota.
Most remittances originate from highly skilled professionals working in healthcare, particularly nursing, as well as information technology, engineering and financial services.
-
Germany
Germany has become one of Kenya’s fastest-growing remittance corridors.
The country sent approximately KSh86 billion to Kenya during the year ending May 2025, while first-quarter remittances increased from US$46.52 million in 2025 to US$56.73 million in 2026.
An estimated 15,000 Kenyans reside in Germany, with many employed in healthcare, engineering, academic research and other professional services.
-
Australia
Australia has rapidly established itself as one of Kenya’s top diaspora destinations. Annual remittances reached KSh62.6 billion by May 2025, while first-quarter inflows rose from US$56.03 million in 2025 to US$65.31 million in 2026.
About 18,700 Kenyans live in Australia, earning income primarily from nursing and allied healthcare, agriculture and the mining sector.
-
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia continues to rank among Kenya’s largest remittance sources despite recording one of the biggest year-on-year declines.
Remittances totaled KSh49.2 billion during the year ending May 2025, but quarterly inflows fell from US$98.67 million in the first quarter of 2025 to US$46.99 million during the same period in 2026.
Most Kenyan workers in Saudi Arabia are employed in domestic work, hospitality, construction and other labour-intensive occupations.
-
Qatar
Qatar contributed approximately KSh40.5 billion in diaspora remittances, supported by a growing Kenyan workforce.
Many Kenyans in the Gulf state are employed in hospitality, aviation, construction and private security, making Qatar one of Kenya’s key Middle Eastern remittance corridors.
-
Spain
Spain sent approximately KSh36.8 billion to Kenya, supported by an established Kenyan community concentrated around Madrid and Barcelona. Kenyans working in Spain are employed across agriculture, hospitality, logistics and professional services.
-
South Sudan
South Sudan continues to rank among Kenya’s leading African remittance sources. The country contributed around KSh36.8 billion during the year ending May 2025.
Approximately 9,500 Kenyans are officially registered in South Sudan, although many more operate businesses or work informally across trade, construction, humanitarian organisations and professional services.
-
United Kingdom
Although the United Kingdom no longer dominates Kenya’s diaspora remittance rankings as it once did, inflows have continued to increase. First-quarter remittances climbed from US$78.41 million in 2025 to US$100.35 million in 2026.
The UK hosts more than 141,000 Kenyans, making it one of the largest Kenyan diaspora communities globally. Many work in the National Health Service (NHS), education, finance and administrative professions.
-
UAE
The United Arab Emirates maintained steady growth in remittance inflows. Quarterly transfers increased from US$37.20 million during the first quarter of 2025 to US$51.02 million over the same period in 2026.
Kenyan professionals in Dubai and Abu Dhabi are mainly employed in hospitality, retail, aviation, finance and real estate.
-
Uganda
Uganda completes the list of Kenya’s ten largest remittance source countries.
Around 61,500 Kenyans live in Uganda, generating income through cross-border trade, regional corporate management, academia and international development organisations.
Jefferson Wachira is a writer at Africa Digest News, specializing in banking and finance trends, and their impact on African economies.
