Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Musalia Mudavadi has outlined a series of initiatives the government is implementing to ensure the welfare and protection of its citizens living and working abroad.
Speaking in the National Assembly on Wednesday, April 30, Mudavadi reiterated the government’s commitment to support Kenyans in the diaspora, beginning with improving accountability through registration.
“One of the measures is continuous registration of Kenyans at the embassies and the State Department of Diaspora Affairs for accountability. The government has also signed several labor agreements and are still negotiating others aimed at safeguarding the welfare of Kenyans working abroad," he said.
Additionally, to increase accessibility of consular services, especially for Kenyans in remote areas, Mudavadi confirmed that the government has taken a decentralized approach.
“We have also introduced mobile consular services to be able to reach as many Kenyans abroad in remote parts away from where the embassies are to be able to assist them to get the relevant travel documents,” he added.
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At the same time, in a bid to empower Kenyans traveling abroad before they depart, the government has launched educational resources through the State Department of Diaspora Affairs.
“The State Department of Diaspora Affairs has also developed a legal aid information framework and pre-departure manual to provide Kenyans going abroad with information on the rights and the essential basic information about the country of destination,” he stated.
Nonetheless, for situations of distress or emergencies, Mudavadi noted the establishment of clear communication channels to ensure that help is accessible when needed.
“The government has also established a clear reporting channel where Kenyans in the diaspora or their relatives in Kenya can report any kind of distress through the ministry's eCitizen portal, our hotline numbers and emails at the State Department of Diaspora Affairs,” he further said.
Mudavadi also acknowledged the crucial role of Kenya’s diplomatic missions in offering support to citizens abroad.
“Kenya missions abroad have consular desks mainly stuffed with immigration attaches who handled consular concerns, issue citizens with necessary documents and assist with repatriation of mortal remains. They also pay consular visits to Kenyans in detention centers, prisons hospitals and deportation centers to provide consular assistance,” he noted.
