"The pick up in April ... can indirectly be attributed to improving economic conditions in the regions of origin, and improved prospects for economic recovery at home," the bank said in a statement.
The central bank said the main source of the money remained North America followed by Europe.
Typically, Kenyans living abroad send money back home to help their families and to invest in various sectors like real estate.
They sent a total of $609 million last year, down from $611 million in 2008. Remittances rank among the country's top sources of foreign exchange alongside tourism, tea and horticulture.
