This means instead of sending the competent foreign officials based at the ministry in Kenya, as diplomats, the government would prefer competent Kenyans based on the country where the embassy or consulate is.
To what extent this is right or not is highly debatable. Looking at the cons of Mutua’s radical move, then it would mean that these missions would lack having highly experienced diplomats.
Those that have been tried and tested to represent the country in different capacities, come with a wealth of experience from their respective fields, be it in handling security, administration, consular affairs, political cooperation, economic cooperation and United Nation SDG agenda, among other tasks, that most embassies or consulates have, where they are based.
Besides, the perks that come with being a foreign service officer is the fact that you and your family get to have an international experience, with everything good that being a diplomat has to offer. Everything good then comes at its own expense.
From the cost of relocation for their families in shipments and flights, allowances for spouses and children, as well as costs of settling the children in good international schools, housing costs in expatriate approved zones, entertainment allowances, among other allowances.
This is a cost any developed country can afford. And that’s where Mutua's bone of contention comes in. We are a developing country, and we should accept that tag, at least for now as we channel those costs towards fighting inequality and poverty.
Sending at least five or so diplomats and their families to a country in Europe, the far East, Australia or the US is no mean feat. The cost of relocation alone, for one diplomat, could for instance be an annual salary for a Kenyan who is already based and settled abroad.
In this case, it would make financial sense sending our diplomats based in the ministry, within Africa, as the cost of relocation will be relatively low as well as the living expenses.
Besides the expenses, the pros of Mutua's radical idea, is using the human capital in diaspora, which is politically tricky and debatable, but may be worthwhile if implemented devoid of our biggest illness: tribalism and nepotism. And with well designed training programmes for the newly employed.
Picture this, there are Kenyans in diaspora who have attended the best of universities in their respective countries. There are some who have done disciplines above and beyond what Kenya requires from bachelors’ level to doctorate levels. Mutua, having lived and worked in the diaspora probably had this in mind.
From specialists in international relations, political affairs, gender, peace, development, security, administration, among others, are just a drop in the ocean of the expertise that Kenyans in the diaspora, just like home, have.
The other advantage of having these Kenyans in diaspora work in the respective missions is that they already know the norms and customs of where they stay, the security issues and their families are well settled. These Kenyans also know the issues that are affecting other Kenyans within the territories where they are based.
They also understand the business climate and how to penetrate, as well as an overview of the political issues and the African agenda of those countries. And isn’t it obvious that the government will have an easier time in terms of cost and the trainings involved when settling a new member of staff with this second option.
This is also a good for inclusion efforts by the government of Kenya for Kenyans living and working in diaspora. Let’s not forget that those abroad defied the tough economic times to send home a record of Sh497.2 billion in 2022, giving the much-needed support to their families and friends back home. The salaries of those abroad, employed in Kenyan missions, therefore, might eventually end up back home.
In the spirit of the government extending a helping hand to those in diaspora in terms of opportunities, it would be nice for the Foreign Affairs ministry adopted the Armenian Ministry of Diaspora model; the only one of its kind in the world. Its main objective is to tap into the human capital that Armenia has overseas.
