Diaspora Affairs Engagement

STATE DEPARTMENT FOR DIASPORA AFFAIRS HOLDS SENSITIZATION FORUMS AT THE BANDARI MARITIME ACADEMY AND TUM

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Wednesday, September 3, 2025(MOMBASA)__The State Department for Diaspora Affairs (SDDA) kicked off its sensitization campaign in Mombasa County by holding two forums at the Bandari Maritime Academy and the Technical University of Mombasa-TUM.

The sensitization team was led by Ms. Irene Karari, Director and Head of the Skills and Expertise Division, and Ms. Emma Gicheha, Director/in-charge of the Welfare and Rights Division.

The mission was to unpack the mandate and activities of the State Department as well as engage the youth on the three-pronged approach by Government to address youth unemployment namely; kazi kwa ground, kazi mtandaoni and kazi majuu.

The engagements also comprised detailed sessions dedicated to outline programmes overseen by the State Department. Ms. Karari elaborated on the Kazi Majuu programme, outlining the structured processes and legitimate pathways for Kenyans seeking to participate in the global labour market. She provided crucial guidance on the official channels to use and the necessary steps to follow, aiming to equip students with the knowledge to navigate their international career ambitions safely and successfully.

Complementing this, Ms. Gicheha led discussions on the critical initiatives designed to champion the protection and rights of Kenyans already in the diaspora. A central pillar of her presentation focused on robust anti-human trafficking strategies, educating the young audience on the red flags to look out for and how to avoid falling prey to illicit recruitment schemes and unscrupulous agents. She further detailed the government's consular and support programmes available to all citizens, both at home and abroad.

This comprehensive outreach, dubbed #SDDAMashinani, is a clear strategy to empower the youth—who form the largest percentage of Kenya's population—with vital information to participate in international employment.

Today's forums are a direct extension of similar engagements held by Diaspora Affairs PS, Ms. Roseline K. Njogu,CBS, with National Government Administration Officers (NGAOs), identifying them as key stakeholders and credible sources of information in the grassroots fight against human trafficking.

The timing of these sensitization forums is particularly strategic, occurring on the sidelines of the ongoing Mombasa ASK Show 2025. While the students were being engaged at their campuses, the State Department is also maintaining a visible presence at the annual event held at the Mkomani Showgrounds, engaging directly with members of the public and further amplifying its message.

The delegation was supported by Ms. Anne Mruche, the D/Director of Skills and Expertise Division, and Ms. Felister Kebati, SFSO.