Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has called for stronger engagement with Kenyans abroad, describing the diaspora as key to economic growth and global influence.
Speaking on Monday during the official closing ceremony of the Ambassadors’ Conference in Nairobi, he said protecting and empowering citizens overseas is a core obligation, urging diplomats to prioritise diaspora welfare and contributions in advancing Kenya’s national interests.
“Let us harness the potential of the diaspora,” he said, positioning Kenya’s global communities as “a powerhouse of national capacity and a cornerstone of the country’s prosperity.”
The four-day conference, themed “Advancing Kenya’s Interests in a Rapidly Evolving Geopolitical Landscape,” brought together ambassadors, high commissioners and senior officials to review Kenya’s diplomatic priorities.
Kindiki said the government views Kenyans abroad as a key driver of development whose contribution must be fully utilised.
“The Kenyan diaspora represents a strategic extension of our national capacity, and the protection, dignity, and empowerment of Kenyans overseas is not optional. It is a core obligation,” he said.
He urged diplomats to place stronger emphasis on the welfare of Kenyans living abroad, while also leveraging their economic contributions and influence.
According to the Deputy President, Kenya’s foreign policy must increasingly focus on delivering tangible benefits, including trade opportunities, investment partnerships and innovation.
“Our diplomatic engagement must be projected beyond our borders through trade, investment partnerships, innovation, and positioning Kenya as a competitive and credible economic partner,” he said.
Kindiki also linked diaspora engagement to the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), noting that diplomacy must align with national economic priorities and contribute to growth.
He highlighted Kenya’s strengths, including its position as a stable democracy in a complex region, its leadership in renewable energy and climate action, and its role as a hub for diplomacy, logistics and finance.
He called on Kenyan envoys to convert these advantages into measurable national gains, working closely with diaspora communities to maximise impact.
“Our diplomatic engagement must deliver economic opportunities, security, stability, and influence in shaping global outcomes,” he said.
The conference also reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to regional stability and international cooperation, with Kindiki urging diplomats to execute their responsibilities with discipline and focus.
He reiterated calls by President William Ruto for diplomats to remain committed to advancing Kenya’s interests globally, beginning with empowering the diaspora.
The Deputy President was accompanied at the event by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, alongside other senior officials.
These included Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau, Principal Secretary for Foreign Affairs Korir Sing’oei, and Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu.
The emphasis on diaspora engagement reflects growing recognition of the role played by Kenyans abroad in supporting the economy through remittances, investments and skills transfer.
Kindiki said unlocking this potential will require deliberate policies and sustained engagement by diplomatic missions around the world.
He stressed that the responsibility to protect and empower Kenyans overseas lies at the core of government obligations, urging envoys to take a proactive approach.
As Kenya navigates a rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape, the government is increasingly looking to its diaspora as a strategic asset in strengthening its global presence and economic resilience.
The Deputy President’s remarks signal a continued push to integrate diaspora contributions into national development planning, with diplomats expected to play a central role in achieving this goal.
