Millions of Kenyans live abroad and keep close ties with home: supporting family, building, investing and, one day, coming back. Doing it from a distance brings particular risks.

Sending money home

  • Money transfer services and apps are usually cheaper and faster than bank transfers, and many pay straight into M-Pesa or a Kenyan bank account.
  • Compare the total cost - the fee plus the exchange rate against the mid-market rate.
  • M-Pesa Global lets you send from some countries directly to M-Pesa.

See Opening a bank account.

Building or buying from abroad

Property fraud against people abroad is common, and the losses are often life savings. Family members and agents acting in good faith can still be deceived.

  • Instruct your own advocate in Kenya, not one recommended by the seller.
  • Search the title yourself on Ardhisasa, which can be done online.
  • Pay only into accounts named in the sale agreement, never to an individual.
  • For building projects, pay a contractor in stages against progress that someone independent has checked, with photos and receipts.
  • Use a power of attorney only for a specific purpose and period, and register it.

See Buying property in Kenya.

Passports and IDs

  • Passports are applied for through eCitizen and processed through Kenyan embassies and high commissions abroad, which also handle renewals.
  • National ID and Maisha Card services for citizens abroad are offered through some missions; check with yours.
  • Keep your eCitizen and KRA accounts active, with a phone number and email you can reach from abroad.

Tax

If you are not resident in Kenya, you are taxed in Kenya only on income from Kenya, such as rent from a Kenyan property. From July 2026 non-resident landlords fall under a separate rental income tax regime. If you have a KRA PIN you may still need to file returns - check your obligations on iTax.

Saving and investing at home

Many Kenyans abroad invest in Kenyan money market funds, government bonds and SACCOs. See Saving and investing in Kenya.

Coming back

  • Plan the move - a few months’ living costs, and a job or income lined up.
  • Your belongings - returning residents may be able to import household goods and sometimes a car with duty relief; ask KRA before shipping.
  • Everything else - see Moving to Nairobi and Your first weeks.