Strategies for Government to Leverage Diaspora Beyond Financial Contributions

For many years, Kenya has relied on its diaspora for economic support with remittances serving as a vital financial lifeline for families in the homeland.

The influx of money is essential for debt repayment, global trade expansion, and the growth of small businesses. With around 3 million Kenyans living and working abroad, remittances have steadily risen in recent years, becoming the primary source of foreign income for the country. In March 2023, the Central Bank of Kenya reported a 15.5% increase in diaspora remittances, reaching 48.1 billion shillings compared to the previous month's 41.7 billion shillings.

In light of this situation, the government has devised a foreign policy that places great importance on the diaspora. This integral aspect of the policy seeks to harness the varied talents, wisdom, proficiencies, and assets of Kenyans residing overseas, enabling their seamless integration into the country's development plans. Under this agenda, the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs recently organized the second annual Kenya Diaspora Investment Conference (KDIC) from December 11-15, 2023.

Mr. Kennedy Munene, a recruitment manager and acting CEO of Absolute Consultancy Services (ACS) highlights the significance of fostering a stronger partnership between the government and the diaspora community. He also underscores the importance of creating a favourable setting for investment and business prospects. To achieve this, he recommends that the government implement transparent policies and regulations to attract diaspora investments while offering the necessary assistance and incentives for businesses to prosper. Additionally, Mr. Munene emphasizes the need to promote entrepreneurship and skill enhancement among the diaspora to fully harness their potential in driving the country's development.

Ultimately, he believes that a comprehensive and carefully organized strategy is necessary to successfully engage the diaspora community and leverage their talents, assets, and investments for Kenya's future development. He laments that rather than simplifying the process, the implementation of fresh regulations for nurses only exacerbates the complexity, leading to many nurses abandoning their dreams of working in the UK.

He suggests that the involvement of professional recruitment agencies, in partnership with government agencies, could streamline and enhance the efficiency of complex recruitment procedures.