Diaspora engagement to unlock the full potential of Kenyans living overseas

The Kenya Kwanza government promised to engage Kenyans in the diaspora with an aim to unlock the full potential of Kenyans living overseas and to facilitate their investment locally and include them in the development and execution of policy.

• The Kenya Kwanza government has formalized its engagement with the diaspora through the Kenya Diaspora Policy 2024, expanding support services and facilitating investments via the new Diaspora Investment Support Office.
• The Kenya Kwanza administration managed to negotiate a Comprehensive Labour Migration and Mobility Agreement with Germany to open up international jobs for Kenyans leading to potentially increased remittances.
• However, significant challenges persist, including the risk of fraud in real estate and investments, high remittance costs, and limited awareness of formal investment channels among the diaspora. Additionally, many Kenyan migrant workers remain vulnerable to exploitation despite new bilateral labour agreements, and efforts are ongoing to address reintegration difficulties for returnees and foster a stronger sense of connection with second-generation Kenyans abroad.
• August 2026: The State Department of Foreign Affairs launched its Medium-Term Expenditure Framework that outlined that the State Department made significant progress in implementing its mandate of protecting, engaging, empowering and prospering Kenyans living abroad. Notable achievements included the evacuation and repatriation of Kenyans in distress from crisis-affected countries, provision of counselling and psychosocial support services, expansion of Mobile Consular Services, diaspora engagement through State and high-level visits, facilitation of strategic labour mobility partnerships, promotion of diaspora investments and remittances, capacity building of staff, and strengthening of policy, legal and institutional frameworks.