Skills Database for Kenyans in Diaspora to be Launched

A skills database to help Kenyans in the diaspora to get jobs in the national and county governments is set to be launched.

Already, 2,000 Kenyans professionals living and working abroad have uploaded their resumes, according to the president of Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA) Shem Ochuodho. Ochuodho said KDA plans to register 10,000 professionals next year on the database that will act as a basis for pitching for various job opportunities in the public service.

“In the last one year, diaspora Kenyans sent home KSh300 billion being the second-highest foreign income earner after tea. We have professional skills and experience earned abroad that could benefit our country economically,” said Ochuodho.

Ochuodho, who spoke during the just concluded 2019 diaspora convention in Nairobi, indicated that many Kenyans working in various sectors abroad had expressed their wish to return home to share their skills.

He hailed the nomination of Kenyan-American, Mwende Mwinzi as Kenya’s ambassador to South Korea, saying it is a welcome gesture for the diaspora community.

During the summit, various speakers called for the establishment of a fully-fledged diaspora department to help scrutinize local companies that seek to offer Kenyans in the diaspora services and products. This, they said, will help to curbs incidents in which briefcase companies con the diaspora.

“We are in close talks with the Capital Markets Authority, Nairobi Securities Exchange and Central Bank of Kenya towards the introduction of more financial products that the diaspora can invest in such as green bonds and unit trusts, among others,” said Ochuodho.

KDA is currently in discussions with US-based Africa Diaspora Business Community, which has expressed interest in investing in solar farms, waste management, and agribusiness.