Framework underway to secure diaspora investment, DP Gachagua says
The government is working on a
framework of delivering and securing diaspora investment in Kenya through a
board.
Addressing tens of Kenyans in
Botswana at Avani Hotel in the capital Gaborone on Saturday evening, the Deputy
President, who was with his Spouse Dorcas Rigathi and PS for Diaspora Affairs
Roseline Njogu, said the contribution of citizens in abroad to the economy is
immense, and the government is keen on it.
“A conversation is going on, on
establishing a diaspora board. We want
to create an investment forum guaranteed by government for the people in
diaspora. This will ensure you can invest back home and your savings are safe,
the Deputy President said.
With the increasing risk on investment back
home through relatives, friend and fraudulent real estate agencies, Mr.
Gachagua said this will be a thing of the past as the State Department for
Diaspora Affairs works on this framework.
“W will be mapping out credible
real estate developers to work with the State Department on Diaspora Affairs to
build homes for people abroad through a government guarantee. The Government
will supervise the work to ensure your investment is delivered,” he said.
With diaspora remittances having
overtaken tourism, coffee and tea in foreign earnings, the Deputy President
said Kenyans abroad stand a chance of gaining interest if they save more at
home. He urged the Kenyans abroad to contribute to saving framework being developed
by the State Department for Diaspora Affairs.
According to Central Bank of
Kenya, diaspora remittances increased to Sh532.3 billion ($4,020 million)
between March 2022-March 2023 from Sh518 billion ($3,912 million) between March
2021- March 2022.
“We need you to save at home. Other countries
lend us money from savings of their countrymen. If you people (diaspora) agree,
that is the money the government can borrow for development at an interest
instead of going to China (for loans). The money from diaspora is so huge; we
can have an enormous reserve from which we can borrow” he said.
During the engagement, the
Kenyans raised more other issues, which Mr Gachagua said the Ruto
Administration will progressively address these concerns to ensure the diaspora
community is confrontable and to contributes to good governance of the country.
One of the key issues that
Kenyans in abroad are unanimous on is involvement in the parliamentary process
through nomination of one of their own to Parliament to handle matters.
Responding to the request as
presented by Nairobi’s High Commissioner to Gaborone Mohamed Shidiye and Chairperson
of the Kenya Botswana Diaspora Association, Tom Ochieng Atonga, the Deputy
President said the issue would need an amendment to the laws for
implementation.
“If and when there are amendments
to the Constitution through a parliamentary process, it is something we can put
on the table; I have taken good note of that one. We are listening, it is
something we can discuss from the Kenya Kwanza formation,’’ the Deputy
President said, adding that Kenyans in various parts of the Diaspora, such as
Rwanda and Ghana keep raising it.
The Diaspora community asked for
streamlining of voting. While acknowledging the importance of diaspora taking
part in deciding on governance of the country, Mr Gachagua assured them that
the electoral issues were being addressed beginning with the nomination of IEBC
commissioners, which is under way through Parliament.
On the other hand, he announced
that an officer has been permanently posted to Gaborone, to address immigration
issues like passport renewal and applications, which are now being processed in
Pretoria, South Africa. The officer will report upon clearance of logistics.
With Gaborone, being not among
the direct routes of KQ, the Deputy President said the national carrier is
facing challenges, and the government is mulling reforms to return it to full
operations and profitability.
“We are well seized of the matter
and a lot is going on behind the scenes to get KQ on its track and when that
happens, this destination will be considered,’’ he noted.
The Deputy President and his
Spouse Dorcas praised Kenyans living in Botswana for their unity.
“You came here in thousands and
you have made a difference in this country; the people of this country adore
you for your hard work and professionalism.
You have represented us well and made us proud. You have dignified our
motherland,” Mr Gachagua told the more than 250 Kenyans at the engagement, adding
that he will present challenges relating to work to President Eric Masisi when
they have bilateral engagements on Monday morning.
The Deputy President appraised
the Diaspora community in Botswana on the political and economic situation in
the country.
The Deputy President is
in Gaborone, Botswana, on a four-day working tour. He will represent
President William Ruto at the second edition of Forbes 30 under 30 Summit Africa, on Monday. Besides
speaking at the Summit, which brings together
the Creme De La Creme in youth entrepreneurship, Tech, Health/Science,
Creatives, Sports, Arts, among other categories, Mr Gachagua will hold several
bilateral meetings including with the host President Dr Eric Mokgweetsi Masisi.
These talks will be on fostering the relations between
the two countries.
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