The Kenyan Diaspora Has Been Trivialized And Treated As A Side-line

I am writing this as I try to overcome the shock I got a few weeks ago after learning that the Diaspora desk had been ‘reduced and fitted in’ with the Digital and New Media in the newly created Presidential Strategic Communications Unit (PSCU) whose appointees are an all man team of popular journalists and social bloggers.

Being a woman, I should have been more disappointed with the gender misrepresentation since no woman was appointed to the PSCU team (of five men), even when the constitution is black and white on the one third gender rule.  It seems that women empowerment is not an issue of concern to the Presidency, and as a result, for the next five years, women will stay away from a platform that would’ve allowed them to air their issues, despite their significant media, communications and public relations presence.

But what shocked me most was the appointment of one Denis Itumbi as the Director of Digital, New Media and Diaspora affairs. I have no issues with him and do not feel that he lacks the qualification and capacity to perform on digital or media affairs, but for the fact that I follow him on social media and all he does is defend the Presidency (and the government) with an undying resolve, even when in the wrong.

Which begs the question of what role exactly will Itumbi play in addressing the issues of the close to 3.5 million people living in the diaspora? How will he address them? On social media? Are these issues so trivial to be dealt with on social media?

The Kenyan diaspora is one complex entity that has many issues and therefore cannot be treated as an ‘add-on’ or 'fitted -in' just to be somewhere.Infact,going by its monthly remittances of millions of dollars that contribute immensely to the country’s economic growth and development, it should be treated as a true partner in the government.

Given its significant role, I would expect the government to develop a diaspora engagement strategy that would work towards strengthening government institutions and diaspora communities so that the two can work together with other stakeholders. It (government) should set realistic and ambitious goals for the diaspora to enhance strong diaspora involvement in development of the country. To do this, it must include and consult with those in the diaspora through dialogues to identify what they have to offer and what are their expectations from the government. 

Though there is a need to mobilize the diaspora for development, it should not be only seen as a cash cow whose only obligation is financial contribution through remittances or investments, but as an entity that has issues that need attention. Sustainable development should be advocated. The government must therefore know the diaspora they are hoping to engage with through data collections, identifying their skills and experience and how they can be transferred to benefit the country as well as considering the importance of their intellectual, financial and social capital. 

With hopes that devolution will take off, there should be considerations to link Kenyan diaspora with their respective local governments since their contributions benefit to a larger extent their place of origin. Treating the diaspora as a single entity that can be dealt with on a national level is unrealistic.

In order to achieve this efficiently and effectively, the government should appoint well known members of the diaspora to be the spokesmen for diaspora issues.

The ideal person to head diaspora affairs would be one who can address the issues affecting Kenyans living abroad, help develop, design and negotiate policies and deals that will engage them in the developmental process. This person would need to explore and capture the issues of concerns, articulate them, and come up with ways of harnessing the potential of the Kenyan diaspora. The wealth of experience, ideas, financial resources and skills possessed by those in the diaspora should be tapped to create wealth and add value to the country.

That person therefore CANNOT be Dennis Itumbi.

Itumbi,an ardent supporter of the President played a great role of selling the Jubilee manifesto during the campaign period and of updating Kenyans on social media about the happenings in State House after the election of President Uhuru Kenyatta.It is only obvious (unfortunately) that the President had to reward him. Having a large tweeter and Facebook following doesn’t qualify Itumbi to head diaspora affairs, just as having a smartphone or an ipads doesn’t make him digital if he is not being innovative and turning ideas into wealth creation.

His appointment does not reflect on what President Uhuru had promised when he visited the United Kingdom shortly after his election about working on a Diaspora Policy that … ‘is aimed at forging effective synergies for involving citizens abroad in national development agenda whilst at the same time meeting their needs and expectations.’

As a Kenyan living in the diaspora, I am disappointed, just as I was when I was denied the right to vote during the last general election.