Kenyan mothers get double the cash dads receive from diaspora - report

About one fifth of diaspora cash sent by Kenyans receiving and working abroad is sent to mothers.

This is according to data from the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Diaspora Remittances Survey which was published on Thursday.

20 per cent of the diaspora remittances or about $20 (Ksh.2,270) for every $100 (Ksh.11,350) sent is received by mothers in contrast to fathers who receive about $11(Ksh.1,249) for every $100 sent of 11 per cent, a sum lower than that received by siblings.

Brothers and sisters receive almost an equal share of remittances at 14 and 15 per cent respectively, which is representative of $14 (Ksh.1,589) and $15 (Ksh.1,703) for every $100 sent from abroad.

Wives meanwhile receive just five per cent of the remittance flows while husbands receive a mere one per cent of remittances.

Other recipients of the diaspora dollars listed by the survey include female friends, nephews, aunts, nieces, male friends, uncles, daughters, sons, male business partners, mother in-laws, grandmothers, father-in-law’s, grandfathers and female business partners.

The stream of cash remittances is generally consistent with nearly three quarters of Kenyans remitting funds from abroad sending the monies on a monthly basis.

The self-employed, the unemployed and retired persons take up most of the diaspora remittances at 16 per cent each ahead of students and those in paid employment.

The economic status other recipients vary from those too old to work, those unemployed but not looking for work, farmers, home makers, incapacitated persons and volunteers.