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.
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