Kenyan deaths abroad rose by 13% in 2024, report shows

The number of Kenyans who died outside the country increased from 270 in 2023 to 305 in 2024, a Kenya National Bureau of Statistics report released yesterday shows.

This represents a 13 per cent increase.

Data from the KNBS's Civil Registration and Vital Statistics System shows of the number, 184 (60.3 per cent) were male and 121 (39.7 per cent) female.

The highest number of deaths were reported in the US (71), followed by India (50) and Uganda (22). Other countries included the UK with 19 deaths, Tanzania (18), Saudi Arabia (15), South Africa (15), United Arab Emirates (14), Qatar (12) and Canada (eight). A combined 61 deaths were reported from other countries.

The report also showed the age group with the highest number of deaths was 50–54 years, accounting for 38 cases. The lowest was the 20–24 age group, with just two registered deaths. No deaths were reported in the five–nine and 10–19 age brackets.

While male deaths outnumbered those of female in most categories, exceptions were observed in three age groups: 30–34 (13 males vs 17 females), 50–54 (18 males vs 20 females), and 65–69 (11 males vs 15 females).

“These figures help us understand our population trends and inform key decisions in public health and planning,” said the statement from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

The report is part of an annual release covering births, deaths, marriages, and adoptions.

The growing number of deaths abroad has drawn further attention amid concerns over the welfare of Kenyans working overseas, particularly in the Gulf states.

Appearing before the Senate plenary on Wednesday, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi revealed that at least 316 Kenyans have died while working in Gulf nations since 2022.

“The records we have show that the total number of Kenyans who have lost their lives in the Gulf region is 316,” Mudavadi said.

Saudi Arabia accounted for the highest number with 166 deaths, followed by Qatar (58), UAE (51), Iraq (25), Bahrain (10), and Kuwait (6). Oman and Iran reported no deaths.

According to Mudavadi, an estimated 416,548 Kenyans are currently working across these countries, with Saudi Arabia hosting the largest number at 310,266. Qatar has 66,025 Kenyan workers, while the UAE has 23,000. Other states include Bahrain (8,000), Oman (5,392), Kuwait (3,515), Iran (200), and Iraq (150).

However, Mudavadi acknowledged that maintaining accurate records remains a challenge.

“Kenyans in these territories exhibit high movement between various states,” he said.

“The numbers given constitute periodic statistics derived from our missions in these countries, further corroborated through official sources of the host governments.”

He said many Kenyans fail to register with embassies despite continued sensitisation efforts.

“It should be noted that not all Kenyans register with our missions abroad. Hence, sometimes it is difficult to have very precise data,” Mudavadi said.

The government has been under increasing pressure from the civil society and diaspora organisations to improve monitoring, protection, and welfare services for Kenyans living and working abroad.