The government is likely to receive around Ksh631 billion in diaspora remittance from Kenyans abroad in 2024.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and CS for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi said the remittance are likely to increase by $0.6 billion (Ksh109 billion) from the $4.1 billion (Ksh522 billion) recorded in 2023.
“Remittances from the Diaspora are projected to increase to $4.9 billion (Ksh631 billion) for 2024, an increase from $4.1 billion from the last year,” Mudavadi said.
According to Mudavadi, the government has so far received Ksh314 billion in diaspora remittance this year.
Confirmed Mudavadi Diaspora Remittance
Mudavadi said Kenyans living abroad sent home Ksh260 billion ($2 billion) in the first five months of 2024.
This he said was an 18.9% increase from the same period in 2023.
In September 2024, remittance inflows were Ksh54.4 billion (US$418.5 million), which was a 22.9% increase from September 2023.
Labour Mobility Agreements
Besides, Mudavadi said the State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) facilitated the signing of three Agreements on labour mobility.
This included a Comprehensive Mobility and Migration Partnership Agreement with the Federal Republic of Germany.
He clarified that Kenya would compete for 250,000 jobs in Germany with other countries.
“There is a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) in Germany for the provision of Remote jobs for Kenyans,” he said.
Kenya also signed a bilateral Agreement with the Government of the Republic of Austria.
“We have secured the placement of 1,733 Kenyans in the United States of America, United Kingdom, and Germany in various fields such as hospitality, medical and agricultural sectors,” Mudavadi said.
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Platform for Kenyans Living Abroad
Additionally, the Department established the Diaspora Skills and Technology Transfer Program, a platform for the Kenyan diaspora to participate in nation-building through the skills they acquired abroad during their stay.
The program will be piloted through Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital (KUTRRH), and Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital under the Department for Medical Services at Nairobi City County Government.
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Economic Diplomacy
Further, Mudavadi said Kenya’s engagement with foreign investors has resulted in increased funding for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
He stated that the government committed to build secure and resilient supply chains in the Semiconductor industry during the state visit to the United States of America.
“Kenya is the first African country to benefit from the International Technology Security and Innovation Fund, created by the CHIPS and Science Act (2022) of the United States of America,” he said.
Further, he mentioned that the Coca-Cola company announced an investment into Kenya of $175 million (Ksh22.5 billion).
Mudavadu said the USAID announced a grant of $600,000 (Ksh77.3 million) to the Vivo Fashion Group.
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