Kenya Labour Migration: Trends, Challenges, Management and Potential Areas for Cooperation

Kenya has a population of 47.6 million people; 49.5% male and 50.5% female. The unemployment rate is at 7.4% with about 85 per cent of the unemployed below 35 years. The high levels of unemployment and the socio-economic and environmental conditions within the country are the key push factors for migration. Kenyan migrant workers contribute significantly to the socio-economic development of the country in terms of skills, expertise and transfer of knowledge upon return. For instance, monthly remittance inflows in 2019 averaged KShs. 23 Billion Shillings (about US$ 228.14 million).