Diaspora Affairs PS urges Defence Committee to operationalize diaspora placement agency 

Tuesday, 13th May, 2025
Parliament Buildings

The Principal Secretary, State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Ms. Roseline Njogu, has called upon the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations to prioritize the operationalization of the Diaspora Placement Agency. 

The agency, established in 2023 during a period of heightened labour migration, aims to connect Kenyan professionals and skilled individuals with international job opportunities, enhance their skills, and provide crucial migration support services.

PS Njogu made this plea while presenting the State Department’s Budget Estimates for the 2025/2026 financial year to the Hon. Nelson Koech led Committee. 

The National Treasury had allocated the State Department Kshs 587.8 million against a Budget ceiling of Kshs 697 million, resulting in a funding deficit of Kshs 66 million. However, the State Department highlighted that a total of Kshs 1.2 billion is needed to effectively execute its mandate.

“Over the years our funding has kept on declining. In the year 2023/24 we received Kshs 1.31 billion, while in the Year 2024/25 the allocation was Kshs 637 million. This year, we face further cuts with Kshs 587.8 million. We are operating with significant limitations,” said PS Njogu. 

The PS emphasized that the Diaspora Placement Agency, a key component of the global labour market strategy, remains non-operational due to these funding challenges. “33% of our country’s budget goes to educating our children. However, upon completion of their education, we lack sufficient domestic opportunities. The global labour market strategy, spearheaded by the Diaspora Placement Agency, is crucial in addressing this gap,” she explained.

Further, PS Njogu underscored the urgent need for the establishment of Safe Houses in key foreign destinations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, India, and the UAE. These shelters are intended to provide protection and support for vulnerable Kenyan migrant workers in distress.

“There are over 250,000 labour migrants who require our support. It is regrettable that despite their significant remittances to our country, we are constrained in our ability to assist them when they face difficulties abroad,” lamented the PS.

Hon. Memusi Kanchory echoed the PS’s sentiments, emphasizing the critical importance of Safe Houses for Kenyans in the diaspora. “Having witnessed first-hand the effectiveness of such a facility established by the Philippines in Doha, I can attest to their vital role in providing a safe haven for our citizens in times of need,” he affirmed.

Committee Chair, Hon Nelson Koech acknowledged the PS’s concerns and urged her to prioritize dialogue with the National Treasury to find a resolution to the funding impasse. “We understand the necessity of these services. It is crucial to engage with the National Treasury to emphasize the importance of these initiatives,” he advised.

Additionally, Committee Members raised concerns regarding potential overlaps in functions between the State Department of Diaspora Affairs and the Ministry of Labour. 

The Committee called for a harmonization of the roles of the two entities to eliminate any duplication and enhance efficiency.