Diaspora Affairs Deepens Global Partnerships to Benefit Kenyans Abroad

Kenya’s State Department for Diaspora Affairs has completed a week of activities focused on healthcare, diaspora welfare, labour mobility, international partnerships and parliamentary oversight.

Healthcare was a key area of focus through the Diaspora Skills, Knowledge and Technology Transfer Programme, which supported a specialised medical camp at Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral and Research Hospital. The initiative brought together Kenyan medical professionals based in the United States and local healthcare teams to carry out advanced urology, oncology and cardiovascular procedures. 

The visiting delegation was led by Frederick O. Bw’Ombongi, Vice President of Operations at Allina Health in Minnesota. Alongside performing complex procedures, the specialists trained Kenyan practitioners to strengthen local expertise and promote international standards of care.

The department also continued efforts to support Kenyans living abroad and those returning to the country. Principal Secretary Roseline Njogu met repatriated citizens to discuss challenges linked to reintegration, including access to identity documents, birth registration for children born overseas and psychosocial support.

The department also monitored developments in the Middle East and remained prepared to assist Kenyan nationals in affected areas. Labour mobility formed another part of the department’s work during the week. 

At the USIU-Africa Career Fair, officials advised students and graduates on safe migration pathways and warned against using irregular channels to seek employment abroad. Ambassador Isaiya Kabira said young Kenyans should be equipped to compete for opportunities in the global labour market while following legal and safe migration processes.

The department also strengthened international cooperation through discussions with development partners. Njogu met outgoing Belgian Ambassador Peter Maddens to discuss collaboration on ethical labour mobility, education and diaspora engagement. 

Partnerships with healthcare institutions in the United States and Germany also supported skills transfer and professional development through cooperation with Kenyan specialists. Parliamentary engagement remained part of the department’s agenda. Officials appeared before the National Assembly’s Defence and Foreign Relations Committee to discuss labour mobility frameworks, diaspora welfare and the department’s contribution to economic development. 

They said diaspora engagement now covers skills transfer, investment promotion and support for Kenyan citizens abroad, in addition to the remittances that continue to contribute significantly to the national economy.