How Diaspora Kenyans Are Driving National Progress

The Daring Returnees Forum 2024, convened at Nairobi's Panafric Hotel on September 27th, brought together a diverse assembly of Kenyan diaspora returnees, government officials, and business leaders.

This event sought to explore the contributions returnees can make to Kenya's socio-economic landscape while addressing the challenges they face during reintegration. While diaspora returnees have long been recognized for their economic impact through remittances, the forum highlighted their broader significance. Speakers emphasized that returnees bring back crucial skills, innovative mindsets, and global perspectives that can catalyze growth and modernization across various sectors in Kenya. Ambassador Hellen Gichuhi, Secretary for Diaspora Welfare and Partnerships, delivered the keynote address on behalf of Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu.

Drawing from her own experience as a returnee who served in several Kenyan diplomatic missions abroad, Amb. Gichuhi emphasized the diverse roles diaspora members play. She articulated that the impact of returnees extends far beyond financial contributions, encompassing the transfer of skills, expertise, and innovation that can propel the nation forward. The State Department of the Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) has played a pivotal role in facilitating the reintegration of returnees. Since its inception, the SDDA has achieved significant milestones, including the implementation of mobile consular services and a round-the-clock hotline for Kenyans abroad.

These initiatives ensure that Kenyans receive support regardless of their location. Throughout the forum, testimonials from various returnees illuminated their impactful contributions across different sectors. Tirus Mwithiga, Group Director of Retail Business at NCBA, offered insights into how returnees are reshaping the local business landscape. He noted that returnees have raised business standards, citing the arrival of leading global companies like Google significantly influenced by the skills of returnees. The Kenya Revenue Authority's (KRA) announcement of new incentives for returnees emerged as a key topic of discussion. These provisions allow returnees to import household goods duty-free and bring in vehicles owned for over a year without paying customs duties.

These tax exemptions aim to alleviate the financial burden of relocation, facilitating a smoother transition for returnees. Despite these positive developments, many returnees shared candid accounts of the challenges they faced during reintegration. Prof. Dominic Mwenja, former President and CEO of California Miramar University detailed the culture shock experienced upon returning to Kenya and regretted frustrations with systemic inefficiencies in healthcare, housing, and public services. He emphasized the importance of patience and resilience, suggesting that building a network of fellow returnees can provide crucial support during the reintegration process.

The discussions prominently featured the entrepreneurial spirit of returnees, with a notable example given of a former ambassador who successfully established a gas distribution business in Sugoi, Eldoret. Other returnees have ventured into fields such as education, healthcare, and technology. The forum's discussions consistently reinforced the idea that returnees not only serve as a bridge between Kenya and the world but also act as catalysts for innovation and growth within the nation.