Marakwet West MP Promises to Address Visa Concerns Raised by Kenyans in Australia

Marakwet West MP Timothy has pledged to intervene over visa approval difficulties reported by Kenyans seeking to travel to Australia.

The MP made the commitment during a recent visit to Australia, where he met members of the Kenyan community and discussed their concerns. Timothy said Australia is home to more than 60,000 Kenyans, many of whom contribute to both the Australian economy and their families in Kenya through remittances and investments.

Figures from the Central Bank of Kenya and the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicate that Kenyans in Australia remitted between KSh62 billion and KSh90 billion in 2025, making the country an increasingly important source of diaspora income.

The MP also highlighted the community's contribution beyond remittances, including business development and job creation.

He cited Velicient Jebet, popularly known as Velie, who founded Velie Healthcare Services in Australia. The company has employed more than 60 Kenyans, which Timothy described as a source of pride for Marakwet West and the country.

However, concerns raised during his meetings with Kenyans in Australia centred on difficulties obtaining visas. Timothy did not specify which visa categories were affected or how many applicants had experienced problems. He said Kenyan leaders would formally raise the matter with the Executive and seek engagement with Australian authorities.

“As leaders, we shall formally notify the relevant offices in the Executive to engage their Australian counterparts to ensure the matter is addressed,” he said.

Timothy also met representatives of Grace International Company, a recruitment agency exploring opportunities for Kenyans to study, work and live in Australia.

He urged Kenyans pursuing such opportunities to use legitimate and transparent migration pathways to protect themselves from exploitation and other risks.

The MP's visit also focused on the wider role of Kenyans living abroad, including their contributions through employment, entrepreneurship, investment and remittances. He said addressing concerns affecting the diaspora was important as more Kenyans seek opportunities to study, work and establish businesses abroad.