PS Roseline Njogu
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The collaboration between the Kenya Diaspora Affairs Ministry and the Kenyan Diaspora in South Africa (KEDASA) is set to yield substantial benefits for Kenyans residing in South Africa.
A recent meeting in Nairobi between Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary Ms Roseline Njogu and Mr Bernard Maina, Chairperson of KEDASA, focused on upcoming events designed to orient Kenyans in Johannesburg towards investment opportunities both in Kenya and their current locations. Mr Maina stresses the importance of enhancing the rights and well-being of the estimated 20,000 Kenyans living in South Africa. He highlights the success of the Mobile Consular Services exercise conducted earlier this year, which enabled Kenyans to access essential services efficiently. This government initiative, aimed at bringing services closer to diaspora communities, has been a significant milestone for Kenyans in South Africa.
The Mobile Consular Services are designed to provide diaspora communities with access to vital services without the need to return to Kenya or visit foreign missions and consulates. These services encompass passport and visa applications, document notarization, and other consular activities. Kenya is not alone in this endeavor, as countries like Zimbabwe and India offer similar services to their diaspora communities abroad. The State Department for Diaspora Affairs has demonstrated its commitment to fostering strong collaboration and partnerships with the Kenyan diaspora globally. The department aims to ensure that the interests and welfare of Kenyans living abroad are well-represented while promoting their integration into national development.
Key elements of this commitment include diaspora welfare, investment opportunities, mobile consular services, collaboration with diaspora organizations, and cultural diplomacy. By making government services more accessible to Kenyans abroad through initiatives like mobile consular services, the State Department for Diaspora Affairs is working to create a mutually beneficial relationship between the diaspora and the Kenyan government. These services bring essential functions such as passport renewals and birth registrations directly to diaspora communities thus ensuring that Kenyans abroad are fully engaged in national development and their well-being is prioritized.
In addition to consular services, the department has been actively promoting investment opportunities for Kenyans living abroad. The department aims to provide Kenyans in South Africa with information and resources to invest in Kenya's growing economy by collaborating with organizations like KEDASA. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to harness the potential of the Kenyan diaspora for national development. The State Department for Diaspora Affairs also places a strong emphasis on cultural and economic diplomacy. Furthermore, the department is committed to maintaining continuous dialogue with Kenyans abroad with regular meetings and consultations with diaspora organizations like KEDASA ensuring that the voices of Kenyans living abroad are heard and their concerns addressed.