Kenyans abroad sent home approximately Ksh55.95 billion in October 2026.
CBK records a 1.9 per cent annual decline in October inflows, while cumulative receipts also fall.
Diaspora remittances to Kenya fell by Ksh1.08 billion in October 2026 compared with the same month last year. Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) figures show that inflows declined by 1.9 per cent.
Kenyans abroad sent home USD430.5 million, equivalent to about Ksh55.95 billion, during the month. By comparison, October 2025 receipts stood at USD438.8 million, or approximately Ksh57.03 billion.
CBK published the figures in its weekly bulletin dated November 13. The decline also extended to cumulative receipts over the 12 months to October 2026.
Despite the lower inflows, the bank said transfers from Kenyans abroad remain an important source of foreign exchange. They also continue to support Kenya’s balance of payments.
Diaspora remittances decline over 12 months
Cumulative inflows fell 1.1 per cent to USD5.023 billion, equivalent to approximately Ksh653.2 billion. The comparable period in 2025 recorded USD5.082 billion, or about Ksh660.9 billion.
That represents a decline of roughly Ksh7.67 billion across the 12-month period. Both the October total and the cumulative figure therefore remained below their corresponding 2025 levels.
Meanwhile, the Kenyan shilling held steady against the US dollar during the week under review. It traded at Ksh129.96 on November 12, unchanged from November 5.
Foreign exchange reserves, however, declined to USD14.605 billion on November 12, equivalent to about Ksh1.9 trillion. That amount provided 5.9 months of import cover.
A week earlier, reserves stood at USD14.699 billion, or approximately Ksh1.91 trillion. The weekly reduction totalled USD94 million, equivalent to about Ksh12.22 billion.
