It is estimated 3 million Kenyans live outside Kenya in various countries. This population could be more as there are many Kenyans who are undocumented.
Kenyans in the Diaspora have embraced the upcoming general elections in phenomenal way.
For the first time since independence, a huge number of Kenyans in diaspora will vote for their preferred candidates.
Kenyans in diaspora support the economy through remittances which according to 2021 CBK data totaled USD 4 Billion injected into the economy. This number has been rising each year and it’s expected that 2022 remittances could reach $5 Billion.
Kenyans in diaspora also play a key role in investing directly or indirectly into the country.
For years now, some professionals have been helping Kenyan institutions through various programs and some directly teach students in the country.
Distinguished doctors and professors teach our universities both private and public. There a host of benefits the diaspora benefit the country and their participation in the upcoming elections is fully justified.
Despite all these goodies we enjoy from Kenyans in diaspora, they face a lot of challenges that the government needs to address. The issues range from embassy/consulate poor services, challenges to invest back home to remarkable constitutional role to register and vote as Kenyans.
On voter registration and voting, IEBC on their hand have maintained that the parliament has not enacted laws that will allow them register Kenyans in diaspora seamlessly.
The Deputy President, Dr William Ruto made a maiden visit to the USA and UK in March 2022. This was the first in-person engagement with the Kenyans in diaspora. The Deputy president has for several years talked to the diaspora population asking them how the bottom-up economic model he is advocating will help them.
In Maryland USA, the deputy president met Kenyans who had travelled across 50 states in the USA. During the meeting, the diaspora team led by Danson Mukile, David Gikonyo, Jane Ngethe and Francis Mwangi submitted diaspora agenda to the deputy president and his team.
The issues submitted will be harnessed into a charter that will form county 48 (Diaspora County) where the deputy president just like other counties will sign and fully commit to implement diaspora issues once he assumes office after august 9th general elections. The deputy president promised to create a Ministry of Diaspora Affairs that will be mandated to address direct issues.
Immediately after the USA and UK visit by the deputy president, the diaspora community was politically activated and is ready to rally behind the deputy president. A series of meetings and mobilization is currently ongoing to ensure that the deputy president wins the presidency. The town halls and virtual halls have been arranged to promote the bottom-up economic model and Pesa Mfukoni with the sole aim to mobilize the diaspora to vote for the deputy president and the entire Kenya kwanza family. This shall be a win for Kenya.
Danson Mukile is a Kenyan based in Washington DC, USA. He is a software engineer by profession with a keen interest in the promotion the economic, social, and political agenda of Kenyans living abroad.
