Amb Macharia, Kenyans in diaspora need you now

Ambassador Macharia Kamau, the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a career diplomat with almost unparalleled experience. But when he recently appeared before the parliamentary Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, he seemed out of step with the mood of the country.

At one point, he said ‘ndege sio matatu’ (planes are not matatus). This was in an attempt to explain the apparent impracticability of evacuating all Kenyans from different parts of the world, especially during lockdowns in many countries. Such language creates an impression that Kenya is unwilling or unable to do whatever it takes to rescue its citizens abroad from harm’s way.

In a separate media briefing, the ambassador did in fact underscore Kenya’s responsibility to its citizens abroad when he categorically stated that, ‘we have a minority that are affected but we have to worry about that minority because they are Kenyans.’ Indeed, the country should spare no effort to rescue even one Kenyan in peril, whether at home or abroad.

Kenya’s diaspora of more than three million people plays a pivotal role in our economy. In 2019, they remitted nearly Sh300 billion to Kenya, which accounted for 2.9 per cent of GDP. So critical is the diaspora’s contribution to our economy that plans have been underway to issue a diaspora green bond that would facilitate diaspora investment into the Big Four Agenda of affordable housing, food security, manufacturing and inexpensive healthcare.

Kenyans in the diaspora are not any less Kenyan than those at home. During their hour of need, the Government must go the extra mile to secure their safety and health. Doing so is not granting them a favour, but enforcing their rights as fellow Kenyans.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has in recent weeks popularised the phrase ‘fellow Kenyans,’ which he frequently uses during his Covid-19 updates to the nation. That phrase captures the solidarity of citizens who belong to the same family of Kenya. This solidarity tone is just as important as the substance of his remarks. All government officials who communicate with the public during this crisis must follow suit.

Extending a hand of solidarity to Kenyans abroad is quite critical, especially because this Covid-19 crisis may last longer than anticipated. This means there are Kenyans who may be stranded for long if we don’t start planning now for their evacuation. We must not bury our heads in the sand but must face logistical challenges required to support and evacuate them head-on.

Amb Macharia revealed in his press briefing that there are approximately 3,000 Kenyans in China, 200 students in Iran and about 160 Kenyans in India who had travelled to the Asian country for medical purposes. Many of them have run out of funds, leaving them in a precarious predicament. Yet this is just a tip of the iceberg. Considering that there are Kenyans in about 140 countries globally, their predicament must be ascertained. This will require a comprehensive global audit.

I suggest that the Kenyan Embassies and Missions in over 54 countries around the world be fully deployed in this global audit plus the resultant individual support of Kenyans in peril and their eventual evacuation. Such a global operation doesn’t come cheap.  It will cost billions.

I suggest that the President works closely with the National Assembly to find the funds for such an operation. Our diplomats abroad are duty bound to do so much but the lack of resources may hamper progress. On their part, I suggest that the diplomats be most proactive and innovative in finding solutions to challenges faced by Kenyans abroad.

Because the Kenyans abroad are out of sight, it’s easy for them to be out of mind and therefore left to the vagaries of fate. While the vast majority of Kenyans abroad will not need financial support or evacuation, there is a growing minority in peril and needs our all. With sufficient funding, willingness to be human and comprehensive planning, we should identify them, support them and evacuate them as soon as it will be practically possible.

We fellow Kenyans must remember that behind the current pandemic and related statistics are human beings paining. We must respect them. I am sure my friend Amb Macharia regrets his earlier statement, so let’s move on. Think green, act green!

The writer is founder and chairperson, Green Africa Foundation. www.isaackalua.co.ke