Diaspora Affairs PS Urges Parliament to Operationalize Diaspora Placement Agency Amid Budget Cuts
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Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Ms. Roseline Njogu, has made a strong appeal to the National Assembly Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, urging immediate action to operationalize the Diaspora Placement Agency—a critical tool in addressing Kenya’s growing labour export needs.
Presenting the 2025/2026 Budget Estimates, PS Njogu highlighted the agency’s dormant state due to chronic underfunding. Although allocated Kshs 587.8 million, the State Department faces a budget shortfall of over Kshs 600 million, with operational needs totaling Kshs 1.2 billion.
“Despite 33% of our national budget going to education, our graduates face a scarcity of domestic job opportunities. The Diaspora Placement Agency is designed to bridge this gap by connecting them to global employment markets,” she emphasized.
Established in 2023, the agency is part of Kenya’s broader Global Labour Market Strategy and was created to support the recruitment, training, and welfare of Kenyan professionals seeking opportunities abroad.
Njogu also stressed the urgent need for Safe Houses in priority host countries such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia, India, and the UAE, citing the growing number of vulnerable Kenyan migrant workers in distress abroad.
“There are over 250,000 labour migrants who depend on us. Despite their immense contribution through remittances, we are grossly under-resourced to protect and support them,” she noted.
Hon. Memusi Kanchory backed the proposal, pointing to the success of similar shelters established by the Philippines government. “These facilities are lifesaving,” he said.
Committee Chair Hon. Nelson Koech acknowledged the funding gaps and encouraged proactive engagement with the National Treasury. “These are critical services. We urge the PS to negotiate for enhanced budget allocations,” he said.
Members of the committee also flagged concerns over overlapping mandates between the Diaspora Affairs Department and the Ministry of Labour, calling for role harmonization to improve coordination and efficiency.
The session underscored the urgency of investing in diaspora-focused infrastructure to better serve Kenyans abroad—many of whom remain pillars of the country’s economic lifeline through remittances.
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