22/07/2026
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🚨 REALITY CHECK: Kenya’s Diaspora Remittances Drop to Lowest Level Since 2009 Financial Crisis
A huge shift is happening right now in Kenya’s economy. According to the latest data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), money sent home by Kenyans living abroad has dropped significantly.
For the first six months of 2026, total inflows fell by 3.03% to $2.442 billion (about Ksh 315.75 billion). This is the sharpest first-half contraction our country has faced in 17 years.
Why is the money drying up?
The Middle East Crisis: Geopolitical tensions have led to job cuts, fewer working hours, and early repatriations for workers in the Gulf.
New Global Taxes: Sending money home is getting expensive. The US introduced a 1% excise tax on outbound money transfers, and Saudi Arabia introduced a 15% VAT on transfer fees.
High Cost of Living: Persistent inflation in the US—our biggest remittance source—is eating up disposable incomes.
What this means at home:
This isn't just an economic statistic. Remittances are Kenya's largest source of foreign exchange. Because 73% of this cash goes straight to food and 24% to school fees, millions of Kenyan families are bracing for a tough budget squeeze.
👇 Are you or your family feeling the pinch? Let’s talk in the comments.
