National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged Kenyan ambassadors to prioritise economic diplomacy to drive the nation’s development.
Wetang’ula told the diplomats to focus on economic matters while strengthening ties with the Kenyan diaspora to tap into valuable opportunities, including trade, that foreign nations offer.
Speaking during a meeting with Kenya’s ambassador to the US David Kerich, and embassy staff in Washington DC, the speaker emphasised the strategic importance of the US capital in shaping Kenya’s global partnerships.
"Washington is not just another diplomatic post; it is the seat of the World Bank, IMF, and the heartbeat of global decision-making," he stated.
"Engaging effectively here means opening doors for Kenya’s growth, attracting investments, and securing beneficial trade agreements,” he added.
Wetang'ula is leading a parliamentary delegation at the Annual National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, DC.
The event is a prestigious gathering that attracts over 3,500 global leaders from the political, religious, business, and civil society sectors
A key focus of Wetang’ula's address was the Kenyan diaspora, especially second and third-generation Kenyans in the US.
He noted the growing disconnect among these groups from their ancestral roots and stressed the importance of re-engaging them to strengthen Kenya’s ties to its global community.
"The old model of the diaspora was simple—sending money home to parents. But now, we have generations born here who have little connection to Kenya," Wetang’ula remarked.
"We need to reconnect them, offer incentives, and encourage them to invest back home. Their contributions are vital through remittances, investments, and public-private partnerships."
Wetang’ula highlighted the need for a comprehensive database of Kenyans living in the US, acknowledging past challenges due to suspicions around their immigration status.
"Whether they came here legitimately or otherwise, they are still Kenyans. We must find ways to regularize their status and help them feel part of the country," he added.
On trade, Wetang’ula was candid about Kenya's underperformance in leveraging the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), which allows duty-free exports to the US.
"We punch below our weight," he said.
"Bangladesh, without AGOA benefits, exports more apparel to the US than the entire African continent combined. We must fully exploit AGOA, attract investors to our Export Processing Zones (EPZs), and expand our value-added exports."
Wetang’ula urged the diplomats to push for AGOA’s renewal, warning that its expiration could hurt Kenya's export potential.
"We are a young economy. AGOA and similar initiatives are lifelines that we must fight to preserve," he noted.
The Speaker also used the platform to highlight Kenya’s domestic achievements under President William Ruto’s administration.
He pointed to strides in agriculture, education, and regional diplomacy.
Kerich echoed Wetang’ula’s sentiments emphasising the diaspora’s growing economic impact.
"Last year, remittances from Kenyans in the U.S. stood at $4.19 billion. This year, we’ve already crossed $4.2 billion, and the numbers keep climbing," he said.
"Our diaspora is resilient, contributing across sectors like tech, health, academia, and business."
He also appealed for more support from the National Assembly to improve consular services, particularly in reaching Kenyans spread across the vast U.S. territory.
"Providing services to Kenyans across all states is expensive. Mobile consular services help, but they require significant resources," he explained.
Deputy Chief of Mission Christopher Kirigua outlined plans to strengthen diaspora engagement and attract U.S. investments to Kenya.
