Govt Launches Survey on How Kenyans Send and Receive Money Abroad
The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS), in collaboration with the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) and Financial Sector Deepening Kenya (FSD Kenya), has initiated Kenya’s first Remittances Household Survey (RHS) to track how Kenyans send and receive money internationally.
The Kenya remittances household survey 2025 is a nationwide effort that seeks to collect detailed data on both inward and outward remittances in the country. Running from July to September 2025, the survey will document trends in money transfer methods in Kenya, associated costs, and the socio-economic impacts on recipient households.
What the Survey Will Cover
The 2025 remittances survey aims to shed light on both formal and informal channels used by Kenyans to send or receive money abroad, such as banks, mobile money platforms, money transfer services, or hand-delivered cash.
According to a joint statement by KNBS, CBK, and FSD Kenya, the survey will help provide accurate data to guide policy recommendations on Kenya’s remittances market.
Key Objectives of the 2025 RHS
- Gather data on the amount of remittances (both cash and in-kind) sent and received.
- Identify commonly used money transfer channels and related challenges.
- Understand how remittances are utilized in households to determine their socio-economic impact.
- Evaluate costs involved in sending or receiving money and difficulties faced by users.
- Support financial policy-making using evidence-based findings.
Selected households across the country will be visited by trained field officers carrying official identification. Participation is mandatory under the Statistics Act, CAP 112, and all responses will be treated with strict confidentiality.
The results of the CBK remittances study will be released in aggregated form through the websites of KNBS, CBK, and FSD Kenya.
CBK Also Surveys Cost of Credit Platform
Separately, CBK recently launched a survey to assess the effectiveness of its Total Cost of Credit (TCC) website, a tool created in 2017 to help borrowers compare loan costs across financial institutions.
According to a press release dated July 29, CBK wants feedback from users of commercial banks, microfinance institutions, and mortgage finance companies to improve the platform.
The cost of credit survey seeks to identify challenges users face when navigating the TCC website, and how the tool can be revamped to align with the evolving financial landscape.
CBK said while the platform has improved financial transparency, it now needs an upgrade to better serve consumers in today’s economy.
Call to Action
KNBS, CBK, and FSD Kenya are urging all selected households to fully cooperate with the RHS team. The survey is expected to play a crucial role in shaping future financial inclusion strategies in Kenya.
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