Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced that the Kenyan government is working to establish a diaspora board that will safeguard the investments of Kenyans living abroad. Speaking to Kenyans during his official visit to Botswana, Mr. Gachagua stated that the State Department for Diaspora Affairs is developing a framework to ensure that diaspora investments are safe from fraudulent real estate agencies, friends, and relatives.
Mr. Gachagua emphasized the need for the government to work with credible real estate developers to construct homes for Kenyans abroad. The constructions will be supervised to completion by the government, guaranteeing the safety of investments. The diaspora board will create an investment forum that is backed by the government, offering a platform for Kenyans to invest back home and save with confidence.
The Deputy President urged Kenyans living abroad to save money in Kenya to allow the government to borrow locally rather than relying on loans from China. He added that the money from the diaspora community is significant, and the government can create an enormous reserve from which it can borrow.
Kenyan nationals in Botswana will benefit from the permanent posting of an immigration officer to Gaborone, who will address immigration matters, including passport applications and renewals. Mr. Gachagua also promised to consider setting up direct flights to Gaborone when Kenya Airways returns to full and profitable operations.
During his visit, Mr. Gachagua will represent President William Ruto at the second edition of the Forbes 30 under 30 Summit Africa. He will also hold several bilateral meetings, including with President Dr. Eric Mokgweetsi Masisi, to ensure that Kenyans in Botswana receive work permits with ease.
While Kenyans living abroad have requested parliamentary representation, Mr. Gachagua noted that the law would need to be amended before the request is implemented. However, the government is open to discussions on the matter.
In conclusion, the establishment of a diaspora board by the Kenyan government is a significant step towards safeguarding investments for Kenyans living abroad. The government’s commitment to work with credible real estate developers and supervise constructions to completion will boost the confidence of diaspora nationals in investing back home. Furthermore, permanent posting of an immigration officer to Gaborone will ease the burden on Kenyans seeking to renew or apply for passports.
