The presidential candidates’ manifestos didn’t come clear on how to engage the diaspora as agents of development, harnessing their skills and their representation in government.
Are politicians interested with diaspora only during the elections? Do they only visit the diaspora to meet the communities and flock the diaspora forums for unfulfilled promises?
The Kenyan diaspora feel marginalised, neglected, ignored and they are regarded as second-class citizens. Relegating them to the periphery when they contribute massively to the economy is a travesty to democracy.
In several occasions during the Meet the Kenya Diaspora meetings, President Uhuru Kenyatta described Kenyans living and working abroad as ambassadors and his 48th and richest county. He guaranteed us voting rights, a promise that is yet to come. We in the diaspora believe Uhuru has the interest of the people in diaspora. However, we fear his administration does not the same interest.
We have had Cabinet Secretary, permanent secretaries, governors, MPs and senators who are former diaspora but for some reason, they forget where they came from before being appointed or elected.
When President Kenyatta in 2014 announced the first-ever diaspora policy aimed at managing the country’s diaspora to encourage investment, keep track of Kenyans abroad and involve them in the country’s development, millions of Kenyans around the world had high hopes.
“Given the abundance of skilled, knowledgeable and patriotic Kenyans outside our borders, it is now a matter of the highest priority to integrate the diaspora into our national development agenda” the President said.
The closest the diaspora has been towards government acknowledgement is the creation of a diaspora representative role “Director of Diaspora Affairs” in the Office of the President.
But the post was awarded to an individual who has never lived abroad and is not conversant about the interests of the diaspora and matters affecting them. The character spent most his time on social media fighting unrelated battles. Today, he’s fighting the Uhuru government instead of fighting for the welfare of the diaspora communities.
Kenyans living in diaspora are appealing to all presidential candidates to urgently address their concerns, if they care about inclusivity and democratic participation of all Kenyans irrespective of where they reside. Inclusivity in a country means all segments of the population must be heard and directly involved in their country’s affairs.
Azimio flagbearer Raila Odinga has continued to enjoy the highest percentage of diaspora support, and therefore should be at the frontline to defend their aspirations and listen to their grievances.
Diaspora voices must be heard; diaspora challenges and aspirations must be captured in the future governance of our country. This is the surest way to feel a sense of belonging as Kenyans.
As with most incoming administrations, there is a transitional period in which the new government is getting adjusted and acquainted with day-to-day operations. It would, therefore, be more effective for the government to appoint a diaspora advisory transition team in the Office of the President to serve as a think-tank to identify diaspora interests, needs and ways to cross-engage.
Finally, engaging the diaspora can only be a good thing, but for Kenya to depend too heavily on their remittances, it would be a mistake.
Make public services accessible and/or affordable to all, make education 100 per cent free and help farmers produce and sell. Remittances will never replace government responsibilities.
The writer is a senior, procurement, supply chain management and logistics leader
