Mandera South MP Abdul Haro says Kenyans who work in Somalia send over Ksh70 million home each day. He notes that people often overlook or twist their role in the economy.
He spoke on Tuesday, January 6, 2025. Haro defended the Somali community’s part in Kenya’s economy. The amount covers only Kenyans with jobs in Somalia. He told critics to check the data instead of rejecting it.
Haro said Kenyan Somalis provide nearly 70 percent of all diaspora remittances. He asked people to think past usual spots like Europe and North America.
The president recently called remittances a key source of foreign income. Somalis make up almost 70 percent of that total. Forget the flows from Europe, Haro added.
In his talk, Haro attacked former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Gachagua had questioned a business owner in Eastleigh. Haro called his words divisive. He said Gachagua targeted one group even after holding top office.
Haro praised Eastleigh as a busy trade hub in Nairobi. He claimed its shops pay about 30 percent of the county’s taxes. No county records confirm that number yet.
Remittances from abroad keep climbing. In November 2025, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said inflows topped Ksh1 trillion. Central Bank data shows growth from Ksh543.3 billion in 2023 to Ksh651.7 billion in 2024.
Mudavadi pointed to job deals with Saudi Arabia and Qatar. He also noted better digital and remote work options for Kenyans overseas.
The United States sends the most remittances to Kenya. Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom rank next.
