Defence Committee engages State Departments’on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora affairs on 2025/26 Budget

Defence Committee engages State Departments’on Foreign Affairs and Diaspora affairs on 2025/26 Budget

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠
𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐅𝐞𝐛𝐫u𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝟐𝟎𝟐5

The Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Hon Nelson Koech, has engaged the State Departments of Diaspora Affairs and Foreign Affairs in a deliberation on the 2025/26 Budget Policy Statement.

The Principal Secretary for the State Department on Diaspora Affairs, Dr. Roseline Njogu, appeared before the Committee to present the department’s budgetary allocation of Kshs 675.9 million.

Highlighting the department’s achievements, PS Njogu noted that they had facilitated two bilateral labour agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and provided consular services to 168 Kenyans. However, she acknowledged that no diaspora officers had been posted to Kenyan missions.

Hon. Yusuf Hassan expressed concern over the department’s responsiveness to Kenyans in distress abroad. “This department has not adequately addressed the issues of Kenyans working in hostile environments. There is a need for a dedicated unit to respond to such distress cases. Do you have a specific timeframe for addressing Kenyans in distress?” he asked.

Hon. Elijah Memusi sought clarity on the department’s facilitation of 250,000 jobs for Kenyans abroad, requesting detailed information on their destinations and welfare. 

Additionally, Hon. Fred Ikana asked, "We have seen plans to open 16 Diaspora offices within missions. Who is going to find this? Provide a funding source."

Responding to the queries, PS Dr. Njogu clarified that while the diaspora offices would be stationed within existing embassies, funding was required to deploy officers. 

She also noted that response timelines for Kenyans in distress depended on cooperation with host countries, which sometimes posed challenges.

The Committee also met with PS for Foreign Affairs, Dr. Korir Singoei, who presented a proposed budget allocation of Kshs 23.15 billion for the State Department on Foreign Affairs. 

PS Singoei outlined key achievements, including the coordination of three investment promotion activities in various missions and strengthening Kenya’s foreign relations regionally and internationally through inbound and outbound visits.

The PS emphasized Kenya’s commitment to leveraging diplomacy for economic growth and global cooperation. 

The Committee is expected to prepare a Report and present before the Liaison Committee next week.