Diaspora PS Calls for Welfare Fund and Safe Houses to Protect Kenyans Abroad

Principal Secretary for Diaspora Affairs, Roseline Njogu, is urging the government to establish a Diaspora Welfare Fund and a network of safe houses to support Kenyans living and working abroad.

Speaking in Naivasha before the National Assembly Committee on Defence, Intelligence, and Foreign Affairs, Njogu stressed the urgent need for a structured safety net. She highlighted the lack of housing support and emergency assistance for Kenyans overseas—especially in crisis situations like illness, abuse, or death.

What Njogu Is Proposing:

• A Diaspora Welfare Fund
  Funded through a mix of government support and diaspora remittances.
  Would cover emergency repatriation, medical aid, and evacuation.
  Aims to boost real-time support from Kenyan missions abroad.

• Safe Houses Abroad
  Temporary shelters in high-risk countries like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Oman, Thailand, and others.
  Would provide immediate refuge, legal aid, medical care, and a path to safety.
  Modeled on Uganda’s existing system, which Njogu praised for being effective despite limited resources.

Why This Matters for Kenyans in Australia

• Direct Diplomatic Support
  A dedicated welfare fund would allow the Kenyan High Commission in Canberra to assist more quickly in emergencies—be it illness, financial hardship, or legal trouble.

• Protection for Vulnerable Groups
  While abuse cases are often reported in the Gulf region, Kenyans in Australia also face challenges such as isolation, visa stress, job loss, or health issues. A fund and shelter system would add an extra layer of security.

• Recognition of the Diaspora’s Value
  In 2023, diaspora remittances became one of Kenya’s top sources of foreign income. Njogu’s proposal shows that the government is beginning to view diaspora communities not just as economic contributors but as citizens who deserve protection and dignity.

• Community Empowerment
  A fund like this could open doors for partnerships with Kenyan associations in Australia, allowing communities to organize around welfare and crisis response.

Njogu urged MPs to formally include diaspora welfare in Kenya’s foreign policy agenda, stating, “As a country with over 4 million of its people living abroad, it is imperative that we find ways to protect them.”

What Do You Think?

• Should Kenyan Australians contribute to a diaspora welfare fund?

• Would you support the idea of safe houses or community shelters here?

• How can our community make sure it’s heard in this conversation?

Let us know your thoughts. Your voice matters.