Kenya: immigration

How many refugees are in Kenya?

Kenya hosted 871,568 refugees and asylum seekers on 31 August 2026, according to the Department of Refugee Services' Kenya Statistics Package. Of these, 640,091 (73%) were refugees and 231,477 (27%) were asylum seekers. The population grew by 6,570 from July 2026, mainly through new births and new arrivals from Somalia, South Sudan, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia. It was 823,932 at the end of 2024.

Refugees have been formally recognised; asylum seekers are waiting for a decision. The Department of Refugee Services registers both, with UNHCR, and publishes a statistics package each month on its operation statistics page.

Official sources: Department of Refugee Services: Kenya Statistics Package, 31 August 2026 · Department of Refugee Services: operation statistics

What is the largest refugee camp in Kenya?

Dadaab is Kenya's largest refugee camp complex, with 429,352 people registered on 31 August 2026, according to the Department of Refugee Services. Kakuma camp had 234,542, Kalobeyei settlement 86,547 and Eldoret 2,573, for a Kakuma total of 323,662. A further 118,554 refugees and asylum seekers were registered in Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru.

Dadaab, in Garissa County near the Somali border, hosts mainly Somali refugees. Kakuma and Kalobeyei, in Turkana County, host mainly South Sudanese refugees. The Department describes its camps and services on its website.

Official sources: Department of Refugee Services: Kenya Statistics Package, 31 August 2026 · Department of Refugee Services

Where do refugees in Kenya come from?

Somalia is the largest country of origin, with 481,801 refugees and asylum seekers in Kenya on 31 August 2026, according to the Department of Refugee Services. South Sudan follows with 213,245, then the Democratic Republic of the Congo (67,143), Ethiopia (43,356), Burundi (35,131) and Sudan (13,775). Somali refugees numbered 288,648 at the end of 2022.

Most Somali refugees live in Dadaab, and most South Sudanese in Kakuma and Kalobeyei; many refugees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Ethiopia are registered in urban areas. Numbers rise with new arrivals and births in the camps, and fall with voluntary return, resettlement abroad and record clean-ups.

Official sources: Department of Refugee Services: Kenya Statistics Package, 31 August 2026

How many asylum cases are pending in Kenya?

231,477 asylum seekers in Kenya were waiting for a refugee status decision on 31 August 2026, according to the Department of Refugee Services' Kenya Statistics Package. In 2026 to that date, 5,129 people applied for refugee status and 2,226 were recognised. 333 people were submitted for resettlement to other countries, 299 departed for resettlement and 158 returned home voluntarily.

Refugee status determination is the process that decides whether an asylum seeker meets the legal definition of a refugee under Kenya's Refugees Act 2021. Most pending cases are in Dadaab (145,869), with 37,888 in Kakuma and 47,720 in urban areas. The Department explains the process on its refugee status determination page.

Official sources: Department of Refugee Services: Kenya Statistics Package, 31 August 2026 · Department of Refugee Services: refugee status determination

Do I need a visa to visit Kenya?

Most visitors to Kenya need an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) before travelling, according to the Directorate of Immigration Services' eTA site. Citizens of the East African Community partner states (Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda) are exempt for up to 180 days, and nationals of a list of other countries, including Ghana, South Africa, Ethiopia, Malaysia and Singapore, for up to 90 days. Fees start at US$30, with processing within 72 hours, and an expedited option costs an additional US$100, the eTA FAQs say.

The exemptions are set by the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Rules, 2025. An eTA is permission to travel; immigration officers decide on entry at the border. Applications should be made at least two weeks before travel.

Official sources: Kenya eTA: general information · Kenya eTA: FAQs

What share of Kenya's population are immigrants?

1.8%: that is the share of people born abroad in Kenya for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. That compares with 2.4% in 2015. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 2.2%; Kenya is 26th highest of 48. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 132nd highest.

How many people move to Kenya each year?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is -27,330. The peak was 29,612 in 2008 and the low -115,436 in 2018. It is 42nd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is -5,646. World rank, highest first: 157th of 193.

How many refugees does Kenya host?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in Kenya was 617,125 in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 5th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 35,241. Worldwide: 12th of 169.

How many refugees come from Kenya?

13,325: that is the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Kenya for 2025, according to UNHCR. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 12,726; Kenya is 21st highest of 48. Worldwide: 55th of 189.

How much are remittances to Kenya?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 3.8% of GDP. Since 2005 it has ranged from 1.5% of GDP (2009) to 4.2% of GDP (2024). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 2.6% of GDP, and Kenya placed 7th highest of 20. Of 127 countries with 2025 data, 42nd highest.