DP Gachagua Engages Kenyan Diaspora In Italy

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Monday evening engaged with Kenyans residing in Italy regarding the government’s efforts towards financial inclusivity, specifically through the Hustler Fund program which provides credit.

The engagement followed his attendance at the UN Food Systems Financing Summit on behalf of President William Ruto. Gachagua lauded the government’s success in providing low-cost credit to lift up those at the bottom of the economic pyramid. He also expressed gratitude towards Kenyans abroad for their resilience and patriotism, which inspires the government’s dedication to improving their lives.

Kenyans living in Italy raised concerns about the slow renewal of expired passports, the need to improve the embassy and State Department’s relationship with the Diaspora Affairs, and the connection to job opportunities. The Deputy President also encouraged Kenyans living in Italy to work with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs to address their concerns, stressing the importance of diaspora remittances in supporting the nation’s economy.

From January to June 2023, Kenyans living abroad sent a total of Ksh287.7 billion back home. Gachagua mentioned that the government is currently exploring methods to safeguard the investments made by Kenyans in the Diaspora.

“We are looking at how the government can guarantee their investments back home. Many of them have been conned and swindled of their hard-earned money but we want to create a Diaspora Fund guaranteed by the government so that as they come home their savings are intact,” he stated. 

The Second in Command further proclaimed that ambassadors representing Kenya will be evaluated on a monthly basis based on their efforts to improve the country’s business profile globally. The ambassadors will be required to submit monthly reports outlining their efforts to promote Kenyan products and the deals they have secured in a monthly period. The Deputy President further stated that the envoys will receive guidance on the most effective ways to penetrate international markets. According to Gachagua, the Kenya Kwanza government is reviewing the role of the ambassadors so that 70% of their work will be dedicated to promoting tea, coffee, horticultural products, and other exports.