Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced that diaspora remittances have become Kenya’s leading foreign exchange earner, exceeding Sh500 billion. He aims to raise these remittances to one trillion shillings, acknowledging their crucial role in the economy. During a meeting in Namibia, he addressed concerns raised by the Kenyan community and committed to resolving them promptly. Kindiki represented President William Ruto at the funeral of Namibia’s founding President, Sam Nujoma.
In a recent address, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced that diaspora remittances have emerged as Kenya’s foremost foreign exchange earner, surpassing Sh500 billion. During a meeting with Kenyan expatriates in Namibia, he acknowledged the vital role these remittances play in bolstering the country’s economy, particularly in the tea and tourism sectors, which have historically been dominant earners. Kindiki expressed gratitude towards the diaspora community for their contributions, stating, “You play a huge role in developing our nation. Diaspora remittances now have overtaken traditional tea tourism and so forth, which for the last about 40 years, have been the leading earners of foreign exchange for Kenya.”
The Deputy President emphasized the government’s objective to elevate these remittances to at least one trillion shillings. He stated, “Our target, of course, in the manifesto of Kenya Kwanza is to get a trillion remittances. We place the diaspora in a very special place, because you are helping develop our country, and we value that input.” Kindiki’s remarks reflect the appreciation for the diaspora’s involvement in national development initiatives.
Furthermore, during the engagement, concerns were raised by Kenyan professionals regarding immigration, travel logistics, and trade issues. In his response, Kindiki reassured them of the Kenya Kwanza administration’s dedication to addressing these challenges promptly. He affirmed, “The things you’ve said here, it is in our interest as a country to unlock all of them without exception. I want to assure you we will resolve them in the shortest possible time.”
Kindiki’s visit to Namibia coincided with the funeral of the nation’s founding President, Sam Nujoma, where he represented President William Ruto. The meeting highlighted the importance of maintaining open channels between the Kenyan diaspora and the government to facilitate their concerns.
In summary, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has recognized that diaspora remittances have become Kenya’s leading source of foreign exchange, significantly contributing to the economy. The government aims to further increase these remittances to one trillion shillings, reflecting the diaspora’s crucial role in national development. Additionally, the Deputy President assured the Kenyan community in Namibia that their concerns will be addressed swiftly, reinforcing the importance of collaborative efforts between Kenyans at home and abroad.
Original Source: www.the-star.co.ke
