New Bill Proposes MP to Represent Kenyans in the Diaspora in Parliament
Kenyans in the diaspora could soon have an MP representing them in parliament if a new Bill is approved.
The Bill tabled in the National Assembly on Thursday by Ndia MP George Kariuki proposes that Kenyans abroad be allowed to nominate an MP to represent their interests in parliament.
"Kenyans in the diaspora contribute significantly to the economy and, therefore, require an avenue to participate in the political space of their home country," says Kariuki.
This is the latest Bill touching on Kenyans in the diaspora to be introduced in parliament after the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration (Amendment) Bill, 2020.
The bill sponsored by Murang’a Senator Irungu Kang’ata seeks to encourage Kenyans abroad to invest back home by offering them special incentives, including wealth protection.
It requires the Cabinet Secretary in charge of the Foreign Affairs Ministry to create a voluntary savings scheme for Kenyans in the diaspora.
“The Cabinet Secretary, may in consultations with the Cabinet Secretary for Treasury and the governor of Central Bank, develop policies and programs offering incentives to Kenyans living abroad to invest in Kenya,” the Bill states.
The bill further requires Foreign Affairs CS, in collaboration with Treasury CS, and CBK governor to establish a database giving information on projects in Kenya that Kenyans in the diaspora can invest in.
The three are further required to institute measures for the prevention of fraudulent practices that discourage Kenyans abroad from investing back home.
Comments (17)
I can represent you people. Sawa Sawa?
Kenyans in general don't need leadership they need services. What is the point of having an MP in Nairobi when one cannot get a passport in New York?
So a bunch of people who can't agree on much are going to agree on nominating a new burden on the taxpayers in Kenya. I'd say the first thing most need is responsive embassies, protection of assets in Kenya and accountable government. Actually these are the same things all Kenyans want so forget new mpigs and new ways to separate us from our money and just run an honest accountable government. The rest will follow.
Wastage of resources no need of diaspora. So few guys feel they need to flex there muscles for power hungry
No
I totally disagree with the idea of those guys in the diaspora having to elect their OWN MP.Thi is another example of creed, power grab and exploitation of the Kenyan masses .
The ideas of representation is not only undesirable,impractable and impossible but also irrational. The demographics of the diaspora is so skewed and tribal to have a true representation.
Am running for this seat.
When politicians pause Tangatangaring and Kielewekering they can sometimes make surprising moves. How about diasporians voting for the top ticket also? Watch out, they are salivating over the money earned from doing "doubles cleaning toilets and cleaning butts"😜. Can't they smell the stink?
I TOTALLY SUPPORT.
Nonsense! Additional financial cost burden to the poor Kenyans! What have the over 400 MPs/senators/MCAs and 47 governors done for the poor Kenyans? Tumia mbongo!!
This doesn't make sense at all. Kenyans in the U.S. would have different needs/wants than Kenyans in India. Isn't Tanzania the diaspora? That would not the same as being in the U.K.
Another issue is dual citizenship. This MP should be exempted from dual citizenship clause
An idea that is 20 years late. The Diaspora has been shouldering Kenya's economy that suffers a severe Kleptocracy, and getting screwed by both Kenyan citizens and politicians. Abroad, we are at the mercy of racists, conmen and woo unto you if you face a hardship! Unless you belong to those tribal-gossip-run-churches or some tribal organization; there is no voice to stand-up for you. Case in point: the 'I don't give a damn' singer. It is time that someone talked for all Kenyans out of Kenya (that includes thieves, addicts, alcoholics, geniuses, scientists, professors...all Kenyans).
An idea that is 20 years late. The Diaspora has been shouldering Kenya's economy that suffers a severe Kleptocracy, and getting screwed by both Kenyan citizens and politicians. Abroad, we are at the mercy of racists, conmen and woo unto you if you face a hardship! Unless you belong to those tribal-gossip-run-churches or some tribal organization; there is no voice to talk for you. Case in point: the 'I don't give a damn' singer. It is time that someone talked for all Kenyans out of Kenya (that includes thieves, addicts, alcoholics, geniuses, scientists, professors...all Kenyans).
Please talk about topics you are well familiar with to avoid looking like an ass! You are all over the place and at the end of your mambo Jambo crap, you still end up looking like a dirty ass!
Who in diaspora did Kariuki consult?Kariuki should have taken a motion to reduce number of thuggery MPs by 3/4 and scrapping of useless money-minting,senate.Kenyans should be represented by about 100 MPs only as making the laws and oversight are their main functions.Two per county and three in densely populated areas like Kiambo,Nairobi(4),Nakuru,Kakamega and two for disabled are enough.And I wonder which money are thugs Uhuru and Raila going to increase with their BBI?More loans or from where?It can be channeled through the current or fewer MP-thugs if at al it is available.
What Kenya needs is not additional MPs or Lawmakers. Root out the cancer of corruption by holding law enforcement accountable. How can the law be up held by corrupt law breakers? Those in diaspora cannot be effective in helping rebuild our nation upon a corrupt system. It looks like bribing, cheating, conning is becoming the accepted way of doing things in Kenya. Well, at least Kenyans should be able to expect basic services without having to reach into their pockets to line someone’s pockets to do what they are hired to do. Till then, you can elect an army of MPs and the returns will be the same or negative. A diaspora MP will travel all over the world on your dime but it will still take you forever to renew your Kenyan passport. Address the structural issue of corruption first, refuse to bribe. I have landed at JKIA and refused to bribe, they held me up and soon let me go as I will not shake hands and give chai for false imprisonment - this is a social ill - bribing is worse than corona - I said it!
To be fair, following the principle of proportional representation, Diasporans need a reasonable number of Senators and MPs and MCAs for each region Asia America Africa China India Europe Russia this will elevate this idea and move it from tokenism towards meaningful engagement.