Bernard Kavyu
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Bernard Kavyu, a prominent advocate for the Kenyan diaspora, has spent three decades navigating diverse professional landscapes, from teaching in Namibia to working in the UK insurance sector.
His multifaceted journey intertwines his roles as a dedicated father, community leader, and visionary for the estimated 6 million Kenyans living abroad. Kavyu's career began in 1995 in Namibia, where he lectured for 11 years. During this time, he welcomed the birth of two children, one of whom currently studies law at Cambridge University, while his daughter is nearing high school graduation. Despite his professional successes, Kavyu regards fatherhood as his most significant achievement.
"My family is my priority, and everything I do is geared toward creating a better life for them," he says.
Beyond personal commitments, Kavyu is at the forefront of a movement that seeks formal recognition for the Kenyan diaspora as "County 48." He is actively leading the charge to enshrine Constituency 291 into the law, advocating for the appointment of two representatives from the diaspora within the Kenyan Parliament. In November 2024, Kavyu, along with fellow diaspora leaders including Deputy High Commissioner Ambassador Joe Warui, submitted a petition to the Kenya High Commission in London.
This initiative, supported by 105 signatories from around the globe, aims to secure representation for Kenyans abroad in both the National Assembly and the Senate, reflecting their significant contributions through remittances that exceed $4 billion annually—greater than foreign aid and tourism revenues. In confirming the current exclusion of the diaspora from active political engagement, Kavyu says, "Representation is not just a right; it is an acknowledgement of our contributions and our place in Kenya’s future."
Although they contribute significantly to Kenya's economy, existing constitutional limitations restrict their voting rights to presidential elections only. Kavyu's movement originally aimed at establishing County 48, yet the challenges posed by constitutional requirements redirected focus towards formalizing Constituency 291. He argues that the diaspora's calls for political inclusion align with Article 89 of the Kenyan Constitution, which mandates boundary reviews as a feasible avenue for recognition.
International precedents support Kavyu's position, as several countries, including France, Italy, Senegal, and Algeria, reserve parliamentary seats for their diaspora populations—a model he advocates for Kenya to adopt. His vision includes dividing the proposed Diaspora County 48 into eight sub-counties, enhancing accessibility to essential government services and consular support for Kenyans worldwide.
"We seek recognition to manage our own affairs and contribute to our country's development," Kavyu states, stressing the need for structural changes.
Kavyu has proposed that the diaspora could also finance significant national projects, such as potential renovations to Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, thereby reducing reliance on external debt. After years of advocacy, Kavyu's team has drafted a bill for parliamentary consideration, which will require public endorsement through a referendum.
"We have given so much to our country, and now we need Kenyans back home to support us by voting YES," he urges.
President William Ruto acknowledged the diaspora's importance in his 2022 inaugural speech, pledging to elevate their status to that of the 48th County. While the establishment of a State Department for Diaspora Affairs marks progress, Kavyu insists that further measures are necessary.