President William Ruto has praised the Kenyan diaspora community for its increasing contribution to national development, following a historic surge in remittances that reached a record KSh638 billion ($4.95 billion) in 2024.
Speaking at State House Nairobi on Monday during a meeting with representatives from 27 countries, President Ruto remarked that diaspora remittances now surpass earnings from traditional sectors such as tea, coffee, and tourism, making them the country’s largest source of foreign exchange.
“These remittances not only support families back home but also serve as a vital engine for our economy, significantly boosting our foreign reserves,” the President stated.
The latest figures indicate an 18% increase from the previous year, and projections suggest that the inflows could exceed $5.23 billion by the end of 2025. In May alone, diaspora inflows reached a monthly record of $440.08 million, according to the Central Bank of Kenya. The United States accounted for 51% of the total remittances, solidifying its status as the leading source.
President Ruto emphasized that the diaspora is Kenya’s most valuable asset abroad and plays a crucial role in shaping the country’s image and economic strength. “The support you provide to your families and your contributions to community development back home are clear expressions of patriotism and nation-building,” he said. “You are our greatest ambassadors.”
He further encouraged Kenyans abroad to become advocates for the country, promoting Kenya positively, especially among potential investors. “It is unfortunate that some people speak negatively about our nation as if they have another home. Let us take pride in our country and showcase the best of Kenya to the world,” the President added.
Highlighting efforts to improve labor mobility, Ruto revealed that nearly 400,000 Kenyans have secured employment overseas in the past two years under the Labour Mobility Programme. He also mentioned that measures have been implemented to expedite the issuance of passports, which are now processed in under a week for those taking up jobs abroad.To streamline the overseas job recruitment sector, the government has deregistered 1,000 fraudulent agencies accused of defrauding job seekers.
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening ties with the diaspora, stating that new engagement instruments have been developed to facilitate investments in key national projects. “We want you to be part of our development journey, not just through remittances, but also by directly investing in transformative initiatives across the country,” he concluded.
