Kenyans in Diaspora

According to kenyan finance minister, Hon. Amos Kimunya,more than one million kenyans residing in us and europe, do contribute more than $1 billion each year.This is a very significant contribution and it should not be assumed or just be treated lightly as far as our economy and development of our country is concerned. The current government headed by Hon. Kibaki, should at least be commended on the issues of kenyans in diaspora, because even if it has not done much to address their issues,at least its recognising the monetary contribution of the hard working and patriotic kenyans in the diaspora.Majority of kenyans living abroad, do work hard and infact for many hours in order to support their families back at home, and in doing so, they do boost the economy, create employment and also lift or upgrade the living standards of our fellow citizens. Despite the fact that kenyans in diaspora do contribute much to our country,their efforts has never been taken seriously by our previous governments and thats why we are hoping that, the current one,will make a difference.First and foremost, Narc kenya as a progressive political party should address the issue of duo citizenship,because majority of kenyans residing abroad have acquired the citizenship of the countries they do reside. According to the current kenyan constitution, there is no provision for duo citizenship, and this factor has discoureged some of would be investers in our country just only due to a "paper" document.Here in Stockholm., majority of kenyan politicians who have had that chance to meet wakenya, for example,president Mwai Kibaki, Prof. Anyang' Nyong'o,Raila Amolo Odinga, Mwandawiro Mghanga,Charity Ngilu, Martha Karua and many others, they have been promising wakenya that, once the go back home, they will table a motion regarding that issue and also voting from abroad, but to the amazement of wakenya, none of them even those who have once lived in exile like Koigi Wamwere, have ever bothered to intiate such a motion in the kenyan parliament. Narc kenya on whose slogan is, one nation, one people should be in the front line in championing the rights of all kenyans and especially those in diaspora to have also voting rights and create some diaspora constituencies.In the Italian senate, they have reserved two seats for the italians in diaspora and Narc kenya should also champion for the same.If tourism in kenya has a full ministry, why should not the government also create one or a department in the ministry of foreign affairs, to cater for the kenyans in diaspora? Since Kibaki government has gone one step ahead of the other previous regimes,through Narc kenya, it should come up with programmes which are viable in the current technology era.The issue of honouring and recognising our heroes and heroines like, Field Marshall Dedan Kimathi, Koitalel Arap Samoei,Meketilili Wa Menza, Nabongo Mumia of Wanga and many others, its move which was welcomed by all kenyans and more could be done. Narc kenya, the nordic region branch, would like to encourage our mother party in kenya, to push for the creation of the ministry of kenyans in diaspora just as there is tourism ministry since we do contribute as much as tourism does.We would like also to request Narc kenya, to push also for the creation within our embassies for the posts of diaspora attache's so as to cater fully and closely the matters pertaing to them and there welfare.

Githuku Wa Muirani.