Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has unveiled significant changes to the employment of Kenyan citizens in the diaspora.
Mutua revealed that the government’s approach will shift away from dispatching Kenyan nationals for state missions and, instead, entrust these responsibilities to Kenyan residents living abroad.
The primary objective behind this move, according to Mutua, is to curtail expenses and enhance the efficient allocation of resources.
“I communicated that as part of my strategy to reduce the operational costs of our missions, we will engage Kenyan residents in the countries where we maintain missions to serve us, rather than deploying staff from Nairobi,” Mutua explained.
These statements were made during a meeting with Kenyan expatriates in Sydney, Australia, organized by the Kenyan High Commission in Australia.
Mutua emphasized that there would be modifications in the provision of services at Kenyan embassies worldwide to facilitate easier access to documents for Kenyan nationals working overseas.
“I envision a future where IDs and passports will be printed and swiftly issued to deserving Kenyans at our embassies, streamlining the process,” Mutua asserted.
During the gathering, discussions centered on addressing challenges faced by Kenyan expatriates, including visa acquisition, nursing permits, and the facilitation of remittances back to Kenya.
Additionally, Mutua acknowledged grievances raised by Kenyans in the diaspora concerning the seizure of gifts intended for their families upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport.
He pledged that the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) would undergo reforms and adopt international best practices to improve the experience of arriving guests.
Furthermore, Mutua revealed the government’s intention to negotiate a bilateral labor agreement with Australia, enabling Kenyans to work as seasonal laborers in the country.
“In the upcoming week, I will engage in discussions with senior Australian officials to explore enhanced collaboration for the mutual benefit of both nations,” he disclosed. “This includes my plans for a bilateral labor agreement and negotiations with Australia to facilitate Kenyan citizens coming to work as seasonal laborers.”
While commending the State Department of Diaspora Affairs for its work, Mutua encouraged Kenyan expatriates to unite and offer support to one another in their adopted countries.
