The Central Bank of Kenya reported that remittance inflows in October 2026 amounted to USD 430.5 million, a decline of 1.9 per cent from USD 438.8 million in the same month of 2025.
September 2026 had brought in USD 438.5 million, meaning the October figure was 1.8 per cent lower than the previous month.
Over the twelve months to October, total inflows fell 1.1 per cent to USD 5,023 million, compared with USD 5,082 million a year earlier.
The bank said that remittance receipts continue to be a major source of foreign-exchange earnings and support the balance of payments.
North America supplied USD 195.6 million in October, down from USD 215.5 million in September, while Europe sent USD 85.1 million, down from USD 97.7 million.
Rest of World contributors increased their inflows to USD 149.8 million from USD 125.3 million, a rise of 19.5 per cent.
In October, North America accounted for 45.4 per cent of total inflows, Rest of World 34.8 per cent and Europe 19.8 per cent.
The highest monthly total in 2026 was recorded in August at USD 451.8 million; the lowest was in June at USD 375.6 million, with March close behind at USD 450.3 million.
From January to October, inflows summed to USD 4,199.4 million, and a 16.2 per cent rebound in July lifted the twelve-month total to USD 4,987 million, still 1.8 per cent below the previous year.
The bank projects full-year 2026 inflows of USD 5.1 billion (about KSh659 billion), which is KSh40 billion less than an earlier estimate; 2025 inflows reached USD 5.04 billion (KSh651 billion).
Conflicts in the Middle East and a 15 per cent value-added tax on transfer services in Saudi Arabia have dampened Gulf-region inflows, which represent roughly 10 per cent of total remittances, and a new work-permit framework introduced in June 2025 further reduced Saudi transfers, which fell by more than 25 per cent in 2025.
The United States remained the largest source, providing over 54 per cent of 2025 inflows, equivalent to USD 2.73 billion (KSh352.6 billion); other notable sources include Germany, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Kingdom.
Household and diaspora surveys indicate that most funds are used for food, education, medical expenses and property or mortgage purchases, and the 1.1 per cent drop in twelve-month inflows translates to USD 59 million less reaching these needs than in the year to October 2025.
Remittances represent roughly four per cent of Kenya’s gross domestic product and shape the volume of foreign currency moving through the shilling market; the majority of transfers are processed by banks and licensed International Money Transfer Operators, which the central bank monitors through its Diaspora Remittances Portal.
