Countries Most Preferred for Immigration: Many Kenyans have invested a lot and sacrificed a lot to travel abroad and seek greener pastures in pursuit of better jobs, better working environments and family reasons.
It is estimated that 3 million Kenyan nationals live and work abroad. This constitutes an important resource that should be harnessed for our economic development.
The main objective of International Jobs and Diaspora office is to ensure that Kenyans secure jobs in international and private organisations.
In this article we present you the best countries for Kenyans in Diaspora. This ranking is based on workers’ rights, minimum wages, climate and hosts’ welcome in these respective countries.
This ranking is also hugely inspired by the gross remittances to Kenya by Kenyans in diaspora as they invest back home or support their faimlies back in Kenya
1. The U.K.
The UK 2011 census recorded 135,966 Kenyan-born people resident in England, 1,526 in Wales, 2,743 in Scotland and 301 in Northern Ireland, making a UK total of 140,536. The equivalent UK figure in 2019 has been estimated at 121,000 by the Office for National Statistics.
Kenya has a shared heritage with the U.K and given the colonial legacy, most of the oldest companies and institutions in the country have their roots in Britain, and it is no surprise that the nation hosts a sizeable Kenyan community.Kenyans mainly go to the U.K. for work and study.
Cumulatively they sent home $142.5 million (Sh15.4 billion) in the first five months of the year.
2. The United States of America
The median annual income for Kenyan diaspora households in the United States is $11,000 above the U.S. national median, and two in five are homeowners.
The Kenya-born population is scattered across many parts of the United States, with the high- est numbers located in Texas and California.
3. Saudi Arabia
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia depends heavily on migrant workers to drive its economy. Many Kenyans have moved to the oil rich state in search of greener pastures in recent years.
The country also serves as an international religious site, hosting millions of muslims each year for the annual Hajj celebrations at Mecca, which is considered a holy city in Islam. Kenyans working in Saudi Arabia sent home $59.6 million (Sh6.4 billion) between January and May this year.
4. Germany
Germany is another important source of remittances for Kenya. Despite the language barrier, the European country hosts a significant number of Kenyans who immigrated to the country for work and study.
As one of the most powerful countries in the European Union, Germany continues to lead Europe in terms of accommodative immigration policy, allowing many foreigners to leave and work without fear of deportation. Kenyans in Germany sent back $45.9 million (Sh4.9 billion) in the first five months of 2021.
According to the Kenyan Diaspora in Germany’s Involvement in Development ; Number of Kenyans in Germany, Likely to exceed 32,000 individuals
5. Australia
Today, the Kenyan diaspora is quite extensive. Most Kenyans abroad, including those in Australia, maintain a strong connection to their Kenyan identity and home country.
Today, the majority of Kenyan residents have arrived recently;Â 65.1% of the current Kenya-born population in Australia arrived between 20016 and 2020. The island country and a continent at a same time has always been an attractive destination for Kenyans.
Those that migrate there mostly do so for study and careers in respectable fields like medicine and engineering among others.
Most Kenyans in Australia live in the urban areas of Sidney and Melbourne as most of the country is desert-land with harsh conditions. Kenyans in Australia sent home $43 million (Sh4.6 billion) in the first five months of the year.
Canada
Canada enjoys the reputation of having one of the most relaxed and welcoming immigration policies among western countries.
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The Canadian government has been intentional about attracting skilled migrants and students given the country’s small and aging population – its citizens number 39 million in 2019, roughly the same size as the State of California. Kenyans in Canada sent back $40.4 million (Sh4.3 billion) between January and May this year.
Qatar
Another Gulf state with a sizeable migrant population is Qatar. Like Saudi Arabia, Qatar depends on migrant workers to drive its oil rich economy, creating opportunities for people looking for opportunities to work abroad to move there. Kenyans living in Qatar sent home $29.5 million (Sh3.2 billion) in the first five months of the year.
Switzerland
Fewer countries offer a higher quality of life for residents and migrants alike than Switzerland.
Known for its fine watches, mountainous terrain, and long history of non-involvement in armed conflict, Switzerland offers one of the best lives abroad.
Workers are guaranteed high wages, quality health insurance and good pensions. The few Kenyans living there were able to send home $20.3 million (sh2.2 billion) between January and May this year.
United Arab Emirates
Perhaps the most popular of the Gulf states owing to the profile of Dubai as an international holiday and business destination, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) hosts a sizeable Kenyan population.
UAE is also considered more tolerant than other gulf states. Kenyans in the UAE sent home $19.8 million (Sh2.1 billion) in the first five months of the year.
Tanzania
Among African countries, Tanzania tops the list of top sources of remittances to Kenya, having displaced South Africa which for a long time accounted for most money sent into Kenya.
Our neighbors to the South sent back $18.4 million (Sh1.9 billion) in the first five months of the year. While this list may change for the remainder of the year, it is unlikely that the U.S. will lose its top spot.
Industry experts also observe that technology and affordability are set to accelerate remittances, which defied the effects of the 2020 pandemic.