May 15, 2026 (ATHENS) — Ms. Roseline Kathure Njogu, CBS, Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, met H.E. Harry Theoharis, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs responsible for Economic Diplomacy and International Economic Outreach, in Athens, with diaspora issues and labour mobility top of the agenda.

On a work visit to the Hellenic Republic, PS Njogu underscored the strong, cordial relations between Kenya and Greece and highlighted deepening cooperation across trade, maritime affairs, tourism, labour mobility and people‑to‑people ties.

She briefed the Deputy Minister on the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, established within Kenya’s Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs in 2022, describing it as a strategic body designed to formalize engagement with Kenyans abroad and integrate the diaspora into national development.

PS Njogu set out the department’s mandate to protect diaspora welfare, facilitate labour mobility partnerships, promote diaspora participation in development, and support economic diplomacy initiatives involving Kenyans overseas.

Noting growing labour demand in Greece across tourism, hospitality, logistics, construction, manufacturing and maritime services, she stressed that Kenya’s youthful, educated and skilled workforce is well positioned to meet many of these needs.

She proposed bolstering bilateral collaboration on structured, safe and mutually beneficial labour mobility frameworks that align Greek market requirements with measures to safeguard the welfare and rights of Kenyan workers.

The two sides also discussed social protection for migrants. PS Njogu reiterated Kenya’s advocacy for portability of social benefits — including pensions and social security — in bilateral and multilateral fora, emphasizing the need for migrant workers to transfer accrued benefits across borders and secure long‑term economic stability.

PS Njogu noted that the visit followed her participation in the International Conference on “Greece–Africa: Diplomatic Dialogues, Multilateral Cooperation and Global South Challenges,” and that she had met Kenyan nationals living and working in Athens to hear firsthand about their experiences and welfare concerns.

She commended the Kenyan diaspora in Greece for their positive contributions to both economies and for serving as a bridge between the two countries.

On economic ties, PS Njogu reaffirmed Kenya’s support for the proposed Memorandum of Understanding on Maritime and Economic Cooperation with Greece. She pointed to Greece’s leadership in shipping and maritime services and urged leveraging Greek expertise to advance Kenya’s maritime sector and Blue Economy agenda.

Areas identified for cooperation included maritime transport and logistics, port operations, seafarer training, trade facilitation and strengthened shipping connectivity — including enhanced links between the Port of Mombasa and Greek ports to expand access to European markets.

PS Njogu also briefed H.E. Theoharis on plans for a “Kenya House” at the Honorary Consulate in Athens, describing it as a platform for diaspora engagement, cultural promotion, tourism marketing and trade facilitation. She expressed confidence the initiative would deepen people‑to‑people ties and raise Kenya’s profile in Greece.

Both officials reaffirmed their readiness to advance practical cooperation that strengthens bilateral relations.

Present in the meeting were Mr. Ioannis Maloukos, Director-Diplomatic Cabinet of the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Ms. Nefeli-Ariadni Pappakou, Counsellor for Economic & Commercial Affairs.

PS Njogu was accompanied by Ms. Vicky Pantazopoulou, Honorary Consul of the Republic of Kenya to the Hellenic Republic; Mr. Ledama Meisashi, FSO; and Mr. Dominic Maobe, an official from the Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Rome.