NAIROBI, Kenya, June 16 – Kenyans received a record Sh931.8 billion in diaspora remittances in the year ending May 2025, underlining the growing role of the funds in supporting household consumption, education, healthcare and investments.
According to the survey, Sh848.4 billion was received through cash transfers while Sh83.5 billion came through digital channels.
“The findings also confirm the flexibility of sending money as opposed to in-kind goods, which have relatively higher transaction costs and logistical challenges,” the report stated.
Recipients with university education received the largest share of remittances at Sh286.7 billion, representing 30.8 percent of total inflows, followed by those with secondary education who received Sh268.8 billion, equivalent to 28.8 percent.
In contrast, recipients with no formal education received Sh68.6 billion, accounting for 7.4 percent of total remittances.
However, the report noted that recipients without formal education accounted for a disproportionately large share of in-kind remittances at 25.8 percent, indicating that non-cash support remains more common among this group.
“However, this share remains lower than that for recipients with university education, whose in-kind inflows accounted for 35.7 percent of total in-kind remittances,” the report added.
The survey further showed that employed individuals received the largest share of remittance inflows. Those in paid employment received Sh370.7 billion, representing 39.8 percent of total remittances, while self-employed recipients received Sh361.8 billion, equivalent to 38.8 percent.
“The analysis revealed that remittance inflows were largely directed to recipients engaged in financial and insurance activities (14.9 percent), real estate (13.6 percent), and agriculture, forestry and fishing (12.0 percent),” the report said.
Recipients not engaged in any economic activity received 13.4 percent of total remittance inflows, highlighting the importance of diaspora funds as a source of household income.
By age, individuals aged between 30 and 39 years received the largest share at Sh411.7 billion, accounting for 44.2 percent of total remittances.
Meanwhile, children and teenagers aged between zero and 19 years received just 0.4 percent of total inflows, with in-kind support accounting for 1.4 percent.
Older Kenyans aged 60 years and above received Sh171.9 billion, representing 18.4 percent of total remittance inflows, while cash remittances to the age group amounted to Sh164.6 billion, equivalent to 19.4 percent of total cash transfers.
