This archive report was first published on 28 December 2019.
Kenya's diaspora community has been a significant contributor to the country's economy, with Kenyans abroad sending home KSh300 billion in the last one year, making them the second-highest foreign income earner after tea.
According to Shem Ochuodho, president of the Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA), the organization plans to launch a skills database to help Kenyans in the diaspora get jobs in national and county governments.
Already, 2,000 Kenyan professionals living and working abroad have uploaded their resumes to the database, with plans to register 10,000 more next year.
Speaking during the 2019 diaspora convention in Nairobi, Ochuodho emphasized the importance of utilizing the skills and experience of Kenyans abroad to benefit the country economically.
He also hailed the nomination of Kenyan-American Mwende Mwinzi as Kenya's ambassador to South Korea, saying it is a welcome gesture for the diaspora community.
During the summit, speakers called for the establishment of a fully-fledged diaspora department to help scrutinize local companies that seek to offer Kenyans in the diaspora services and products.
KDA is also in discussions with the US-based Africa Diaspora Business Community to invest in solar farms, waste management, and agribusiness.
