COVID-19 has disrupted people in ways never seen in recent times. Governments, businesses and other stakeholders have had to adjust to fit in the new world created by the pandemic. Economies have been hard hit, with projected growth rates revised significantly downwards. Business are closing, jobs are disappearing, schools have been closed as countries effect curfews and lockdowns. The diaspora has been affected immensely, and have had to adjust to survive. A lot is expected to change in the different ways diaspora contributes to development including the amount of remittances they send home, knowledge and technology transfer as well as advocacy. This webinar discussed how the Kenya diaspora is surviving the pandemic, and the contributions they are making to Kenya's economic recovery in the midst of COVID-19.
The webinar was organized in two parts – 1) sharing by panelists on how Kenyans are surviving in the diaspora, and 2) the contributions the diaspora could make towards Kenya’s nation development – mainly through support to Government’s recovery efforts. The panel was led by the Directorate of Diaspora Affairs, MFA and the National Diaspora Council of Kenya.
The panel comprised of Amb. Michael Oyugi, Director of the Diaspora Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Emmanuel Mutisya, Chairperson of the National Diaspora Council of Kenya (NADICOK), Dr. Sophie Gitibah, Head of Diaspora Engagement at the Tujijenge Pamoja Network (TPN) in the UK, Mr. Godfrey Kamatu, Chairperson of the Kenya Diaspora Association of South Africa (KEDASA), Prof. Kefa Otiso, Professor of Geography, & Service Excellence (2017-2020), Bowling Green State University in the US, and Mr. Alfred Koech, Founder/Executive Director, Landson Foundation and Brand Ambassador of Edith Cowan University in Australia.
The moderator, Prof. Mutisya, opened the webinar by first inviting all participants and thanked them for finding time to join the event. He noted that COVID-19 has brought about unprecedented impacts socially and economically and our lives are not the same anymore. With the current lifestyles of wearing masks, distancing, working from home, the diaspora has been the most affected being caught up in foreign countries, unable to travel and meet their family members and unable to project the length of time this pandemic will take. To understand the current situation, the panel addressed two key questions; 1) given the social and economic disruptions caused by the corona pandemic, how are Kenyans surviving in Europe; and 2) how can the diaspora contribute to the Kenya government’s recovery efforts in the various sectors of development?
In his remarks, Amb. Michael Oyugi shared the efforts the government has put in place in general and in support of the diaspora, and how the diaspora could support the current government initiatives. When the first cases of COVID-19 were reported, the government took drastic measures to contain the spread by putting in place curfews and lockdowns. Schools, churches, restaurants, parks and other social places were closed. Gatherings of more than 15 people were banned. These lockdowns and curfews have created a socio-economic crisis in a country where the economy is already fragile and susceptible to external shocks. School closures for extended periods of time have resulted in loss of hours of learning, disruption in learning habits, and in food and health supplies in marginalized communities. To address this, the government has created COVID-19 response and recovery committees covering the most critical sectors. The government has also created the COVID-19 Fund Board to lead the mobilization of resources for emergency response towards containing the spread, effects and impacts, to which the diaspora could support.
Amb. Oyugi noted that the government has put in place ways to support the diaspora in their countries of residence. Kenyan missions abroad have been instrumental in providing information and support to those in distress. The government continues to facilitate the travel of Kenyans in a number countries including China, India, UK, South Africa among others.
Contributing to the question on how Kenyans abroad are surviving given the social and economic disruptions caused by the corona pandemic, the panel noted that the situation is tough for most Kenyans who are trying to adjust to the new normal. Many are worried and depressed because they are not able to travel back home. Some have fallen sick, passed on or lost family members, some have lost jobs, some are displaced, homelessness, those running businesses are experiencing losses and many activities and functions have gone virtual. This economic impact was expected but the punch of the economic crisis has been sharp and hard, resulting in mental stress including breakdown of many in the diaspora.
With the spirit of being our brothers/sisters keeper, the diaspora has responded with untold generosity towards each other. It is during these occasions that the Kenyan spirit of joining hands has stood out to shine in dark times. Community members have taken up to WhatsApp, Zoom and other online platforms and rallied around the most affected families especially those that have lost loved ones. Churches, Temples, mosques, community groups and individuals have all been involved in the effort. One timber merchant, EuroKen in the UK, turned their warehouse into a food distribution centre that distributed over 18 tonnes of fruits and vegetables daily to charities and anyone needing food, others identified and donated food to fellow Kenyans who were in need. While others like Tamu Tamu Restaurant supplied over 25,000 packed meals to frontline workers. In South Africa, Kenyans have mobilized resources to support the most hit with food. Given this, the need for learning new skills, entrepreneurship, quest for more diaspora unity and multiple modes of livelihood has gained momentum.
The second part of the webinar focused on how the diaspora can contribute to the government’s recovery efforts in the various sectors of development. Amb. Oyugi shared the different areas that the government has prioritized for support including designing programs and initiatives that would fast-track the recovery process as well as the COVID-19 Fund to respond towards containing the spread, and addressing the economic impacts.
On the health care sector, Dr. Gitibah shared that Kenya has large healthcare personnel living and working in developing and developed countries that have been in frontline fighting against COVID 19. Their knowledge, expertise and unique experiences in the different countries can help inform health and social care personnel in Kenya understand the different strategies being adopted to manage and reduce the spread of COVID 19. Taking the case of Europe as an example, it is ahead of Africa in the pandemic curve, by having reduced rates of new infections, yet it has suffered heavy casualties, and the spread was fast and furious. But despite these differences there are many common issues as well as transferable learning. From handling stigma, to safely quarantining in one’s home and not overburdening the healthcare systems. This can be both short term and Long term and can be achieved by the setting up of both virtual and physical knowledge exchange hubs between key workers.
In addition, the diaspora can play a vital role in the development of health workforce capacity in the different settings and counties by way of exchange programs and training. Also, the diaspora health care organisations together with UK partners have been eager to establish an umbrella organisation, Kenya/UK Health Alliance, for UK institutions and organisations undertaking healthcare capacity building activities in Kenya. This will help offer free and compassionate health care (medical volunteering, etc, training holidays) a lot of which is already ongoing, but it could be better facilitated.
Mr. Kamatu shared that business development and trade by the diaspora has been adversely affected by the pandemic. The curfews and lockdowns in our countries of residence have stalled most business activities. But the experience of mitigating the impacts could be applied in Kenya’s recovery efforts. Diaspora are ambassadors and could contribute through facilitating their work through convenient consulate facilities. As investors and entrepreneurs, they can facilitate convenient and cheap money transfer services and create convenient investment avenues. For instance, preparing the diaspora to take advantage of the upcoming Kenya-US Free Trade Area.
For diaspora contribution to academia and skills development, Prof. Otiso pointed out that this varies by level of education. The diaspora can/is contributing as follows:
In sports, Mr. Koech shared that this pandemic has provided an opportunity to sportsmen and government to come up with new ways of promoting sports in the country. Given its contribution to the tourism sector, the diaspora could spearhead sports promotion through online competitions for both domestic and international sports. Also, the diaspora will continue acting as a bridge between Kenyans in Kenya and opportunities abroad.
The panel noted that COVID-19 calls for the need to leverage on ICT to enhance diaspora contribution to Kenya’s development. This would include the use of online collaboration technologies e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams; offering of online learning resources; use of Cloud-based teaching platforms e.g., online Learning Management Systems (e.g. YouTube, Khan Academy, virtual classrooms); online medical services delivery, business development, and sports competition. Thus the mastering of ICT by diaspora communities is vital to enable them to competently work with it, now and in the future.
The webinar concluded with a call to the diaspora to work together in support government efforts towards recovery. To tap diaspora resources to support Kenya’s recovery efforts, new and innovative approaches will have to be developed and implemented. There is a need to enhance channels of diaspora-govt cooperation; build a database of the diaspora to get accurate numbers, and promote national diaspora conferences in their countries of residence through embassies.
For this to be more effective, better coordination that has clear structures is required. Formalizing and strengthening the NADICOK will go a long way in helping coordinate diaspora cross-sector contribution to national development. This is help implement initiatives like the Kenya Diaspora Fellowship Program, and the Kenya/UK Health Alliance This will also strengthen the over 2 million diaspora commitment towards partnership with the government and other stakeholders.
- Overview
COVID-19 has disrupted people in ways never seen in recent times. Governments, businesses and other stakeholders have had to adjust to fit in the new world created by the pandemic. Economies have been hard hit, with projected growth rates revised significantly downwards. Business are closing, jobs are disappearing, schools have been closed as countries effect curfews and lockdowns. The diaspora has been affected immensely, and have had to adjust to survive. A lot is expected to change in the different ways diaspora contributes to development including the amount of remittances they send home, knowledge and technology transfer as well as advocacy. This webinar discussed how the Kenya diaspora is surviving the pandemic, and the contributions they are making to Kenya's economic recovery in the midst of COVID-19.
The webinar was organized in two parts – 1) sharing by panelists on how Kenyans are surviving in the diaspora, and 2) the contributions the diaspora could make towards Kenya’s nation development – mainly through support to Government’s recovery efforts. The panel was led by the Directorate of Diaspora Affairs, MFA and the National Diaspora Council of Kenya.
- Panel Discussions
The panel comprised of Amb. Michael Oyugi, Director of the Diaspora Directorate at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Prof. Emmanuel Mutisya, Chairperson of the National Diaspora Council of Kenya (NADICOK), Dr. Sophie Gitibah, Head of Diaspora Engagement at the Tujijenge Pamoja Network (TPN) in the UK, Mr. Godfrey Kamatu, Chairperson of the Kenya Diaspora Association of South Africa (KEDASA), Prof. Kefa Otiso, Professor of Geography, & Service Excellence (2017-2020), Bowling Green State University in the US, and Mr. Alfred Koech, Founder/Executive Director, Landson Foundation and Brand Ambassador of Edith Cowan University in Australia.
The moderator, Prof. Mutisya, opened the webinar by first inviting all participants and thanked them for finding time to join the event. He noted that COVID-19 has brought about unprecedented impacts socially and economically and our lives are not the same anymore. With the current lifestyles of wearing masks, distancing, working from home, the diaspora has been the most affected being caught up in foreign countries, unable to travel and meet their family members and unable to project the length of time this pandemic will take. To understand the current situation, the panel addressed two key questions; 1) given the social and economic disruptions caused by the corona pandemic, how are Kenyans surviving in Europe; and 2) how can the diaspora contribute to the Kenya government’s recovery efforts in the various sectors of development?
In his remarks, Amb. Michael Oyugi shared the efforts the government has put in place in general and in support of the diaspora, and how the diaspora could support the current government initiatives. When the first cases of COVID-19 were reported, the government took drastic measures to contain the spread by putting in place curfews and lockdowns. Schools, churches, restaurants, parks and other social places were closed. Gatherings of more than 15 people were banned. These lockdowns and curfews have created a socio-economic crisis in a country where the economy is already fragile and susceptible to external shocks. School closures for extended periods of time have resulted in loss of hours of learning, disruption in learning habits, and in food and health supplies in marginalized communities. To address this, the government has created COVID-19 response and recovery committees covering the most critical sectors. The government has also created the COVID-19 Fund Board to lead the mobilization of resources for emergency response towards containing the spread, effects and impacts, to which the diaspora could support.
Amb. Oyugi noted that the government has put in place ways to support the diaspora in their countries of residence. Kenyan missions abroad have been instrumental in providing information and support to those in distress. The government continues to facilitate the travel of Kenyans in a number countries including China, India, UK, South Africa among others.
Contributing to the question on how Kenyans abroad are surviving given the social and economic disruptions caused by the corona pandemic, the panel noted that the situation is tough for most Kenyans who are trying to adjust to the new normal. Many are worried and depressed because they are not able to travel back home. Some have fallen sick, passed on or lost family members, some have lost jobs, some are displaced, homelessness, those running businesses are experiencing losses and many activities and functions have gone virtual. This economic impact was expected but the punch of the economic crisis has been sharp and hard, resulting in mental stress including breakdown of many in the diaspora.
With the spirit of being our brothers/sisters keeper, the diaspora has responded with untold generosity towards each other. It is during these occasions that the Kenyan spirit of joining hands has stood out to shine in dark times. Community members have taken up to WhatsApp, Zoom and other online platforms and rallied around the most affected families especially those that have lost loved ones. Churches, Temples, mosques, community groups and individuals have all been involved in the effort. One timber merchant, EuroKen in the UK, turned their warehouse into a food distribution centre that distributed over 18 tonnes of fruits and vegetables daily to charities and anyone needing food, others identified and donated food to fellow Kenyans who were in need. While others like Tamu Tamu Restaurant supplied over 25,000 packed meals to frontline workers. In South Africa, Kenyans have mobilized resources to support the most hit with food. Given this, the need for learning new skills, entrepreneurship, quest for more diaspora unity and multiple modes of livelihood has gained momentum.
The second part of the webinar focused on how the diaspora can contribute to the government’s recovery efforts in the various sectors of development. Amb. Oyugi shared the different areas that the government has prioritized for support including designing programs and initiatives that would fast-track the recovery process as well as the COVID-19 Fund to respond towards containing the spread, and addressing the economic impacts.
On the health care sector, Dr. Gitibah shared that Kenya has large healthcare personnel living and working in developing and developed countries that have been in frontline fighting against COVID 19. Their knowledge, expertise and unique experiences in the different countries can help inform health and social care personnel in Kenya understand the different strategies being adopted to manage and reduce the spread of COVID 19. Taking the case of Europe as an example, it is ahead of Africa in the pandemic curve, by having reduced rates of new infections, yet it has suffered heavy casualties, and the spread was fast and furious. But despite these differences there are many common issues as well as transferable learning. From handling stigma, to safely quarantining in one’s home and not overburdening the healthcare systems. This can be both short term and Long term and can be achieved by the setting up of both virtual and physical knowledge exchange hubs between key workers.
In addition, the diaspora can play a vital role in the development of health workforce capacity in the different settings and counties by way of exchange programs and training. Also, the diaspora health care organisations together with UK partners have been eager to establish an umbrella organisation, Kenya/UK Health Alliance, for UK institutions and organisations undertaking healthcare capacity building activities in Kenya. This will help offer free and compassionate health care (medical volunteering, etc, training holidays) a lot of which is already ongoing, but it could be better facilitated.
Mr. Kamatu shared that business development and trade by the diaspora has been adversely affected by the pandemic. The curfews and lockdowns in our countries of residence have stalled most business activities. But the experience of mitigating the impacts could be applied in Kenya’s recovery efforts. Diaspora are ambassadors and could contribute through facilitating their work through convenient consulate facilities. As investors and entrepreneurs, they can facilitate convenient and cheap money transfer services and create convenient investment avenues. For instance, preparing the diaspora to take advantage of the upcoming Kenya-US Free Trade Area.
For diaspora contribution to academia and skills development, Prof. Otiso pointed out that this varies by level of education. The diaspora can/is contributing as follows:
- Financial support through diaspora remittances for school fees, textbooks.
- Investments in physical infrastructure in academic institutions, biomedical research centers e.g., the Dr. George Njoroge’s emerging Centre of Africa’s Life Sciences (COALS) on a 400-acre parcel of land in Naivasha, Nakuru County and has a starting capital of KES 20 billion.
- Knowledge and skills transfer e.g. through the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship – Supervision of graduate students, curriculum development, research collaborations.
- Online program delivery by diaspora in their countries of residence.
- Provision of learning materials – e.g., through books for Africa, Edumoninor
- Offering advanced training opportunities for Kenyans abroad – both short and long term e.g., KESSA members domiciled in US universities
- Agitation for various educational policies e.g., promotion of online learning, teacher training, and quality academic infrastructure.
In sports, Mr. Koech shared that this pandemic has provided an opportunity to sportsmen and government to come up with new ways of promoting sports in the country. Given its contribution to the tourism sector, the diaspora could spearhead sports promotion through online competitions for both domestic and international sports. Also, the diaspora will continue acting as a bridge between Kenyans in Kenya and opportunities abroad.
The panel noted that COVID-19 calls for the need to leverage on ICT to enhance diaspora contribution to Kenya’s development. This would include the use of online collaboration technologies e.g., Zoom, Microsoft Teams; offering of online learning resources; use of Cloud-based teaching platforms e.g., online Learning Management Systems (e.g. YouTube, Khan Academy, virtual classrooms); online medical services delivery, business development, and sports competition. Thus the mastering of ICT by diaspora communities is vital to enable them to competently work with it, now and in the future.
- Concluding Remarks
The webinar concluded with a call to the diaspora to work together in support government efforts towards recovery. To tap diaspora resources to support Kenya’s recovery efforts, new and innovative approaches will have to be developed and implemented. There is a need to enhance channels of diaspora-govt cooperation; build a database of the diaspora to get accurate numbers, and promote national diaspora conferences in their countries of residence through embassies.
For this to be more effective, better coordination that has clear structures is required. Formalizing and strengthening the NADICOK will go a long way in helping coordinate diaspora cross-sector contribution to national development. This is help implement initiatives like the Kenya Diaspora Fellowship Program, and the Kenya/UK Health Alliance This will also strengthen the over 2 million diaspora commitment towards partnership with the government and other stakeholders.