Kenyans Pursue Opportunities in the US at the Fastest Rate in 10 Years

The surge in the number of Kenyans moving to the United States in 2022 was the highest in the past 10 years, suggesting that the world's biggest economy is offering more job openings for skilled and semi-skilled workers.

According to data from the American liberal policy research group Migration Policy Institute (MPI), the number of Kenyan immigrants in the US rose to 168,915 in 2022, a 9.6% increase from the 154,062 recorded in 2021, when global economies were bouncing back from the COVID-19 crisis. The Employment Third Preference (E3) visa category, designated for professionals and skilled workers, has been predominantly issued, followed by the Diversity Immigrant (DV) visa.

Interestingly, the US Department of State's increase in visa fees across various categories reflects the growing cost of processing these documents, yet there is no sign of waning interest among Kenyans seeking to migrate. This trend is not isolated to Kenya as it mirrors a broader pattern of increased migration from various countries to the US after years of decline. The Census Bureau reports that net international migration returned to pre-COVID-19 levels in 2022, following a peak in 2016 and subsequent yearly decreases.

Kenya's government has recognized this trend and is actively pursuing strategies to secure overseas job postings for its citizens, viewing this as a dual solution to address domestic unemployment and enhancing dollar inflows to mitigate inflationary pressures from costly imports. For Kenya, the implications of this migration wave represent a loss of human capital but also an opportunity for remittances that bolster the national economy. For the US, the wave affirms the country's role as a land of opportunity while also highlighting the ongoing debates around immigration policy and its economic impact.