Photo | courtesy.
Kenyans living and working abroad sent home Sh488.5 billion in the first nine months of 2025. This was Sh15 billion more than what they sent during the same period in 2024.
According to data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), money sent from abroad between January and September 2025 rose by 3.2 percent, reaching Sh488.5 billion, up from Sh473.5 billion in 2024. In September alone, Kenyans abroad sent Sh54.3 billion, adding to the Sh434.2 billion received in the first eight months of the year.
The CBK said remittances continue to be one of Kenya’s most important sources of foreign currency. They help support the country’s balance of payments and strengthen the economy.
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The United States is still the top source of money coming to Kenya. However, starting January next year, the US will introduce a 3.5 percent tax on international money transfers. Reports show that this new tax could reduce money coming to Kenya by around Sh17 billion each year.
The highest amount of money sent this year was in May, with Sh56.96 billion, followed by January at Sh55.3 billion and August at Sh55.1 billion. These months often match school opening periods, showing that many Kenyans abroad send money to pay school fees and support their families.
The CBK expects remittances to grow even more in the coming years, reaching Sh678.7 billion in 2025 and Sh720.1 billion in 2026. The Bank also projects that Kenya’s foreign exchange reserves will rise to Sh1.39 trillion in 2025 and Sh1.42 trillion in 2026, helping maintain financial stability.
As of mid-October 2025, Kenya’s reserves had reached Sh1.56 trillion, enough to cover imports for 5.3 months.
