Kenya has reached a significant milestone in diaspora remittances, with Kenyans abroad having sent home over one trillion shillings as of November 2025.

Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi revealed the figure during the quarterly briefing on foreign affairs on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.

The amount represents a notable increase from Ksh651.7 billion in 2024 and Ksh543.3 billion in 2023, according to data from the Central Bank of Kenya.

Mudavadi attributed the steady rise in remittances to the success of bilateral labour agreements and expanded access to digital employment opportunities through the Ajira ecosystem.

“From the meeting I attended at the Kenya School of Government, this figure has now reached the one trillion shilling mark,” he said.

“Kenyans in the diaspora have, as of November 2025, collectively remitted this amount. It is a substantial contribution that plays a critical role in supporting our economy and strengthening our currency.”

A lot of Kenyans have for years secured overseas employment under these agreements.

The inflow of remittances has helped strengthen Kenya’s economy and currency stability. Mudavadi noted that countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Jordan have become key employment destinations for Kenyans, offering opportunities across skilled, semi-skilled, and professional sectors.

For example, Qatar alone hosts over 70,000 Kenyan workers, while Saudi Arabia employs more than 200,000. Ongoing negotiations aim to expand these opportunities further.

Emerging risks abroad highlighted

However, Mudavadi also highlighted emerging risks tied to overseas employment. More than 200 Kenyans have reportedly joined the Russian military since the start of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, with some being former members of Kenya’s disciplined services.

Recruitment networks remain active, and some nationals have been stranded or injured while attempting to join.

Another pressing concern involves Kenyans rescued from human trafficking networks in Southeast Asia. Some victims, while trapped in online scam compounds, received cybercrime training.

“A major concern is that rescued individuals now trained in cybercrime pose a national risk by potentially establishing scam operations in Kenya upon their return,” Mudavadi said.

He cited a case of a man arrested in Thailand after illegally returning to work for a Chinese-owned scam company in Myanmar, despite having been repatriated earlier in 2025.

Mudavadi urged Kenyans seeking overseas employment to use vetted recruitment agencies and the National Employment Agency (NEA) to avoid falling prey to traffickers. The government is also expanding its diplomatic presence in Southeast Asia, including a new embassy in Hanoi, Vietnam, to monitor and protect Kenyan workers.