PS Roseline Njogu Backs Expanded Mandate for Diaspora Affairs: “Kenyans Abroad Are Central to Our Growth”
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By John Kariuki
NAIROBI, June 13, 2025 — Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, has welcomed President William Ruto’s Executive Order No. 1 of 2025 expanding the State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) to ten strategic functions. She hailed the move as “bold and timely,” saying it positions the diaspora as a key force in Kenya’s transformation.
“This expanded mandate strengthens our resolve to serve Kenyans abroad and fully integrate them into our development journey,” said PS Njogu.
A centerpiece of the new mandate is the creation of the Diaspora Investment Support Office (DISO), which will guide and protect diaspora investments and provide a safe platform for capital flow back to Kenya. PS Njogu said DISO will be critical in turning remittances into long-term national growth.
She also highlighted key SDDA programs like Mwalimu Majuu, Mkulima Majuu, and the Diaspora Placement Agency (DPA), which connect Kenyans abroad to global opportunities. The department is also advancing bilateral labour agreements and digital job placement tools to ensure transparent, safe, and dignified employment.
The expansion includes new diaspora-focused financial incentives, including diaspora bonds and fintech partnerships, alongside efforts to promote skills and technology transfer. Notably, PS Njogu pointed to the success of the NCLEX nursing testing center and ongoing mentorship programs for Kenyans abroad.
She reiterated that civic engagement will remain central to the department’s work. “With structured dialogue forums and stronger engagement platforms, we are ensuring the diaspora has a direct voice in shaping Kenya’s future,” she said.
PS Njogu concluded by affirming that the diaspora is now a mainstream driver of Kenya’s global strategy: “Our people abroad are not just sending money home. They are building Kenya from every corner of the world.”
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