KNBS: 59.2% of Kenyan Migrants Return Home After Contracts End or Jobs Are Lost

A new survey has found that most Kenyan migrant workers return home because their employment contracts end or they lose their jobs, exposing many families to sudden financial hardship.

The survey, conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) in partnership with the Central Bank of Kenya and Financial Sector Deepening Kenya, was published on 16 June 2026. It found that 59.2 percent of Kenyan returnees came back after their contracts expired or they lost their jobs. Only 7.6 percent returned voluntarily, including those who came back to pursue business opportunities.

The findings show how strongly migrant workers depend on employment conditions and policies in their host countries. For many households, money sent home by relatives working abroad pays for school fees, medical expenses and daily living costs. However, this reliance can create long-term dependence.

In many communities, one migrant worker supports both their immediate family and extended relatives, increasing financial pressure and reinforcing the belief that better opportunities exist only overseas. The experiences of returning workers show how quickly their circumstances can change.

David Omwenga, who worked in the Gulf for four years, said his return was beyond his control. “When the contract ends and the company decides not to renew, your visa is cancelled. You pack your bags and head back to the airport whether you are financially ready or not,” he said.

KNBS officials said the contractual nature of much of Kenya’s overseas employment leaves workers vulnerable to external factors. Economic downturns or changes in labour policies abroad can lead to sudden job losses and forced returns. When this happens, families that rely on remittances can lose their main source of income without warning.

Government agencies and international labour organisations are considering measures to improve protections for migrant workers. These include stronger contractual safeguards and support for workers when their employment ends. Efforts are also under way to expand job opportunities in Kenya to help returning workers re-enter the local labour market.