Kenyan Diaspora Call for Representation in the Government of the Republic of Kenya…
By Stephen N Kinuthia (MBA), (MSc)…
The amplified emphasis on a strong positive relationship between development and migration is a fairly recent phenomenon both globally and in Kenya. Across the globe, diverse and more effective channels of maximizing the attainment of development have brought about the recognition of skilled and qualified human resources as being cardinal to development.
Many parts of the African continent are currently affected by a shortage of qualified and skilled human resources partly resulting from the large-scale migration of professionals. Thousands of African professionals such as medical doctors, nurses, scientists, accountants, engineers, managers and teachers leave Africa each year. The main reason for their departure has been the search for improved opportunities and living conditions, by either pursuing studies or seeking better-paying jobs. Others depart to flee insecurity and/or unstable political and socio-economic. Like many other countries, Kenya recognizes the value of its nationals living in
the diaspora as partners to national development through, among others, being a rich pool of expertise, sending remittances and participating in private investment/development projects in Kenya.
Consequently, emphasis is shifting from negative attention to migration to a more positive intense exploration of the potential benefits of migration. A payoff in this regard has been deeper understanding and appreciation of how, if well managed, migrants are an invaluable source of development input. Contrary to the reinforced conceptualization that migration only poses an economic strain on the host countries and an economic loss to countries of origin, contemporary study shows the possibility of a reversal of this view. However, migration requires deliberate effort, planning and investment before meaningful benefits can be acquired.
New trends have emerged in Kenya’s development efforts that place substantial emphasis on an all-inclusive approach to development. In its comprehensive national development plan “Vision 2030”, which envisages turning Kenya into a prosperous middle-income nation by 2030, the government recognizes that the realization of the vision will depend on the actions and measures that (Kenyans) undertake as government, private-sector cooperating partners, civil society and as individuals through short- and medium-term national development plans.
“The Kenya Diaspora Policy was launched on 20th January 2015 as a pioneer policy in recognition of the urgent need to mainstream the Kenya Diaspora into the national development process in line with the aspirations and goals of the Vision 2030.”
The Kenya diaspora can thus make a significant contribution to the country’s development through the vast human, financial and material resources they are endowed with. However, deliberate efforts to engage
the Kenyan diaspora in national development are fairly recent and, though rapidly gaining momentum, still in the infancy stage. Kenyan Diaspora wish to humbly recognize the efforts by His Excellency the President Uhuru Kenyatta and his government for acknowledging Diaspora as frontlines ambassadors, as the 4th County and the role they play in supporting the economy through remittances.
Unlike many nations on the continent, Kenya has enjoyed continuous peace.
Therefore, the drive for outward movements in the majority of cases has not been fuelled by conflict and instability, but rather by a search for better opportunities or “greener pastures”. This has helped maintain a healthy relationship between the nation and its diaspora, albeit one characterized by a lack of mechanisms for focused and structured cooperation so far.
It should not be assumed that the migration of Kenyans, mostly to countries in higher stages of development, has been without its benefits. Many Kenyans in the diaspora have taken the opportunity to advance their levels of expertise in various fields, thereby building massive potential for much-needed assistance in the development of the country. At the individual level, many are keen to participate in development initiatives back home by returning permanently or, where return is not a valuable option, extending a helping hand from their respective locations.
Their sense of belongingness and desire to stay connected to Kenya is exhibited in the fact that many send back remittances to friends and family; these remittances have gone a long way in alleviating poverty at the household level. Others have embarked on various enterprises involving investments in Kenya, such as real estate development, manufacturing, agro-industry and charities.
Talk the talk – Walk the Walk from promises to actions
Kenya also has a significant diaspora population, estimated at 3 million citizens living abroad (7% of the country’s total) (Republic of Kenya 2013). Diaspora Kenyans lobbied for years for dual citizenship and diaspora voting, both of which were granted in the 2010 constitution, thus joining a growing number of countries in Africa and around the world to recognize emigrant voting rights. Yet despite a politically engaged diaspora, intensive government outreach to emigrants, and high-stakes electoral competition, fewer than 3,000 Kenyans were permitted to vote from abroad in the 2013 and 2017 presidential elections.
What explains the failure of the Kenyan government to implement diaspora voting on a broader scale during the coming 9th August 2022 presidential elections?
Kenyan Diaspora call for representation in the Government of the Republic of Kenya: the Parliament and the Senate should be expanded to include some nominated members, representatives from key stakeholders in our society such as the diaspora on who we rely so much.
The proposal to include members of the diaspora in the government, in the National assembly and the Senate was first introduced by Stephen N. KINUTHIA, a de facto diaspora leader in 2002 during President Mwai Kibaki first term, in 2008 during the coalition government with Rt Hon Raila Odinga but never came to fruition. Later, during the 1st and 2rd term of His Excellency the President Uhuru Kenyatta but this time around, it has received much support from key players in the Kenyan diaspora and former Diasporas in the government and the elected leaders.
The diaspora has invested in and continues to invest heavily in Kenya, and we would welcome any opportunity to be part of the decision-making and policy implementation of the country. The argument that creating a Ministry for Diaspora affairs and Private Investments is too expensive is promise denying the Diaspora their Rights to representation. The government can create less expensive mechanisms and cooperation structures such as Diaspora Liaison Office at the Office of the President, or PS Diaspora affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or at the Presidency.
I have called different political leaders, former Diasporas and the majority concurs with this resurrected call to have nominated members of the National assembly and Senate to represent the views and interest of the diaspora. We want to engage with our beloved country, not only as fiscal sponsors or implementers of projects, but also as visionary thinkers with ideas that can further translate into policy instruments, options, and action plans.
We believe that facilitating a Permanent Secretary for Diaspora affairs, a nominated Member of Parliament and/or a senator for diaspora representation can imbue Kenyans with access to the knowledge and expertise of its nationals overseas who are focused on national development and nation-building.
Although the Government of the Republic of Kenya recognizes the enormous
potential of the diaspora to contribute towards national development, it also cognizant that harnessing this potential and leveraging it for development
purposes requires a deeper understanding of the diaspora, who are also keen to exercise their right to participate in the affairs of the nation. This is the primary reason we are asking the government to engage proactively with the diaspora and consider their representation in the future government.
The call comes just two months before Kenya General Elections on the 9th August 2022. With the diaspora to play a key role in building our economy and good governance, I urged the 5th President of the Republic of Kenya to consider these recommendations as one aspect of national pride and nation-building.
Writer – Stephen N Kinuthia (MBA), (MSc), a de facto leader of Kenya Diaspora;
Senior, Procurement, Supply Chain Management & Logistics leader.
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