Kenyans in UK earn above average incomes

The study shows that most Kenyans migrate in search of a better life, with 31 per cent saying they migrated in search of job opportunities, 25 per cent for studies and a further 12 per cent for employment reasons.

“Most respondents indicated a positive view of their migration with 61.5 per cent stating they had achieved their objective of migrating to the UK and 25.6 per cent saying they had not,” says the report dated October 2010.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in a survey on the quality of life across the globe last year showed that 88 per cent of individuals in the UK were satisfied with their standard of living compared to 25 per cent of individuals in Kenya.

Higher number

The UNDP also said that compared to Kenya, a higher number of UK residents are satisfied with their personal health and jobs, overall life satisfaction being 7.4 in the UK compared to 3.7 in Kenya, zero being least satisfied and 10 being most satisfied.

Kenya was ranked 128 under low human development countries in the list of inequality out of the total 169 countries surveyed indicating that growth attained in the past five years had ended up generally benefiting the rich while the UK was ranked 26 under high human development countries.

The UK IOM survey notes that while the majority of migrants to the UK want to come back home, the availability and capacity to secure well paid jobs, fear of stigma if they do not return with enough money as well as good and affordable schools to send their children are factors that are hindering their return.