The search for education and employment across the borders is undoubtedly rewarding for the Kenyan youth emigrants, but what does it promise the economic future of Kenya? This trend has certainly been on the rise, catching the radar of many desperate, unemployed youth trying to navigate their way within the unrewarding domestic job market. This trend has presented an opportunity which most youth have hopped in with the hope of establishing greener pastures abroad. For the youth, emigration offers the promise of better opportunities, while the government majorly faces a loss-inclined result of this trade.
The emigration of youth has seen the government intervene and promote the trend. It has played a vital research role for job opportunities for Kenyans around the world; striking deals with countries such as China, Germany. This trade of job opportunities with human capital has nonetheless raised controversy among some of the individuals and groups within and without, regarding the credibility of this trend and its future impacts.
With the migration of these youth abroad, there lies also uncertainty of their return to Kenya. This emigration sees a large number of intellectual minds move out in search of further education & better jobs, leading to brain drain. This brain drain contributes to a less productive population unable to inspire innovation, provide skilled labor, with limited talent and intellectual capacity. This poses a slow economic growth and limited human capital in the future.
The emigration of many citizens more than their immigration causes a human capital deficit in the country’s population and economy. In the long-term, this can be consequential as limited human capital may be experienced in future. This process also leads to a negative social impact as the separation of families and communities can have social costs. The absence of youth can also affect social structures and cultural dynamics. Preservation of one’s culture and the nation’s heritage are crucial for the socio-economic aspect of our economy.
Additionally, this emigration trend has seen a positive rise in the remittances received domestically with Diaspora remittances standing at a cumulative USD 4,972.0 mn in the twelve months to March 2025, 13.5% higher than the USD 4,380.0 mn recorded over the same period in 2024. With the USA and Canada leading with the highest preference by Kenyan emigrants, they are expected to contribute the largest share of diaspora remittances received. Although remittance is positive, researchers conclude that it may not be able to replace the loss in human capital.
The Government of Kenya recognizes the significant number of Kenyans living abroad and the importance of their remittances to the economy. Efforts are being made by the government to formalize labor migration, protect rights of its citizens abroad etc. It is also taking other initiatives such as addressing youth unemployment, investing in education & vocational training, and addressing governance issues i.e. corruption, to provide opportunities for youth to thrive domestically
