Sunday, September 20, 2026(NEW YORK, US)__The Government of Kenya, the United Nations in Kenya and Equity Group Holdings have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to collaborate on the Kenya Diaspora Impact Platform, a major initiative aimed at deepening the contribution of Kenyans living abroad to national development.
The Declaration was signed in New York during a Presidential Diaspora Engagement hosted by President William Samoei Ruto,Ph.D, ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, H.E Dr. Musalia Mudavadi, signed on behalf of the Government of Kenya, while UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya, Mr. Garry Conille, signed for the United Nations and Equity Group Holdings Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. James Mwangi, signed for Equity.
At the event, attended by Ms. Amy Pope, the Director General of the International Organization for Migration (IOM), President Ruto witnessed the Kenya Diaspora Impact Platform, a digital gateway that will link Kenyans and other diaspora-based investors with credible, verifiable investment and development opportunities in Kenya. The platform is expected to provide structured pathways for diaspora participation in community-impact projects, catalytic financing for micro, small and medium enterprises, enterprise development, philanthropy, and skills and knowledge transfer.
President Ruto said the initiative would enable Kenyans abroad to play a more direct role in the country’s transformation agenda.
“The Platform is being developed to elevate the diaspora’s role through participation in community impact projects, catalytic financing for MSMEs, enterprise creation, and skills and knowledge transfer, while connecting Kenyans abroad to verifiable opportunities to contribute more meaningfully to Kenya’s national transformation,” he said.
He added that the Government was building “a stronger bridge between Kenyans abroad and opportunities at home, founded on trust, transparency and measurable results.”
The President also briefed participants on the administration’s priority programmes in healthcare, food security, job creation, education and affordable housing. Presentations were made by senior Government officials, including representatives from the housing, health and electoral sectors.
The engagement brought together hundreds of Kenyans in the diaspora, State and non-State actors, development partners and friends of Kenya, underscoring the Government’s commitment to making the diaspora a central partner in investment, innovation and inclusive national development.