Diaspora Affairs Engagement

DIASPORA ENGAGEMENT IN ABU DHABI, UAE

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Tuesday, June 10,2025(United Arab Emirates)__Diaspora Affairs Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Ms. Roseline K. Njogu, CBS, met with members of the Kenyan diaspora at the Kenya Embassy Chancery in Abu Dhabi.

PS Njogu acknowledged the diaspora’s significant contributions to national development through remittances, investments, cultural promotion, and skills transfer.

During the dialogue, the diaspora raised pressing concerns affecting Kenyans living and working in the UAE. A major issue highlighted was the ongoing exploitation of Kenyan migrant workers by unscrupulous recruitment agencies, which often results in human trafficking, contract breaches, and poor working conditions.

The diaspora also stressed the need for mutual recognition and standardization of academic, technical, and professional qualifications to enable Kenyans to access job opportunities that match their credentials.

Additional concerns included mental health challenges—particularly among domestic workers—limited access to legal remedies, and the absence of a standardized minimum wage for Kenyan workers in the UAE.

In response, PS Njogu reaffirmed the State Department’s commitment to collaborating with the Kenya Embassy, Consulate, and UAE authorities to combat exploitation, advocate for fair labor standards, enhance psychosocial support, and pursue bilateral agreements that uphold dignity, protection, and career advancement for Kenyans in the Gulf region.

At the same forum, Hon. Zamzam Mohamed and Hon. Abdikadir Hussein Mohamed outlined the mandates of the Diaspora and Migrant Workers Committee and the Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations Committee, respectively. They encouraged the diaspora to maintain close engagement with the Embassy and Consulate, emphasizing that continuous dialogue is crucial for effective service delivery and resolving challenges.

The session reinforced the government’s commitment to integrating the diaspora as a key partner in Kenya’s development agenda.

Also, present were officials from the Central Bank of Kenya and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, who shared various investment opportunities aimed at encouraging diaspora contributions to national development.