Kenyan Diaspora in Qatar Urged to Promote National Image and Invest in Growth

Kenyan diaspora has been urged to champion national image and invest in growth, as highlighted by Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu in Doha, Qatar. 

Speaking to Kenyan professionals, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, Njogu emphasised the crucial role they play in shaping Kenya's global reputation by countering negative narratives and promoting its potential for innovation and investment. Njogu stressed the importance of actively contributing to global conversations on key sectors such as tourism, technology, workforce skills, and economic investment. She noted that mentioning Kenya in international settings, whether in corporate boardrooms, academic discussions, or industry forums, helps solidify the country’s image as a land of opportunity. 

"The perception of Kenya globally is, in part, shaped by what its people say," Njogu said. "Diaspora voices carry weight in influential spaces, and speaking about Kenya’s strengths and prospects is both a matter of national pride and a responsibility."

Accompanied by Kenya’s Ambassador to Qatar, Mohamed Nur Adan, Njogu also highlighted the significance of knowledge exchange between Kenyans abroad and those in the country. She encouraged expatriates to leverage their expertise to fuel socio-economic growth, emphasising that exposure to global innovation and best practices can significantly contribute to Kenya’s developmental trajectory.

Environmental conservation was another key topic of discussion, with Njogu appealing to the over 70,000 Kenyans residing in Qatar to support Kenya’s ambitious tree-planting initiative. This initiative aims to plant 15 billion trees by 2032, and Njogu proposed that the Kenyan community abroad consider “adopting a forest” as a tangible way to contribute to this national goal.

In addition to environmental efforts, Njogu underscored the financial engagement opportunities available to the diaspora, particularly through the government securities investment platform DhowCSD. She urged Kenyans abroad to explore investment avenues in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, ICT, agriculture, and tourism.

Her address also touched on the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), a government strategy aimed at fostering economic inclusivity and prosperity, which seeks to empower local communities and drive economic growth from the grassroots level. The engagement session concluded with an interactive Q&A, allowing Kenyan expatriates in Doha to voice their perspectives and explore collaborative efforts with government representatives.