Role of Government in Enhancing Diaspora Contribution to Development in Africa: a Case of Kenyan Diaspora in the Uk and Usa.

Abstract

Diasporas being a population that has dispersed from their original homeland are becoming more widely acknowledged as important players in international, bilateral, and national relations as well as in the migration-development nexus. Diasporas, therefore, serve as links between states and society, especially in terms of financing development. The mounting cost of funding third-world development has necessitated the intensifying trend to involve the Diaspora as key stakeholders in the migration-development nexus as well as international, bilateral, and national relations. This involvement is being expanded beyond remittance to include but not limited to fostering commerce and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), transfer of skills and information, and the growth of social cohesiveness, promotion of multicultural growth of culture in societies that are open to the improvement of a country's good reputation, and the improvement of the welfare and human rights of members in many countries. They also serve as mediators, intermediaries, and cost-savings for both due to their experience with the host and the place of origin. However, studies show that the majority of efforts have concentrated on remittances from the diaspora as the primary involvement in the national development agenda. This study therefore aimed at studying the government’s role in enhancing the Kenyan Diaspora in the UK as well as the USA’s contribution to national development. Specifically, the study aimed at evaluating the role played by the African Countries in enhancing Diaspora contribution to the development of Africa, assessing the different methods Kenyan Diaspora in the UK and the USA can contribute to Kenya’s development agenda and identifying the strategies being taken to enhance active participation of the Kenya Diaspora in the UK and the USA in the National development agenda. The study adopted a combination of explanatory and descriptive survey research methods and employed both quantitative and qualitative methodologies of data collection using a questionnaire that was composed of both open and close-ended questions from a sample of 65 respondents from among the 140 employees in all department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Kenya. Data was then analyzed using SPSS and presented in tables and graphs. The study findings showed the various roles being played by the African Countries in enhancing Diaspora contribution to the development of Africa. In addition, the findings highlighted the different methods Kenyan Diaspora in the UK and the USA contribute to Kenya’s development agenda and identified the various strategies that have been taken to enhance active participation of the Kenya Diaspora in the UK and the USA in the National development agenda. The study recommended the need to make diaspora population partners in African development that goes beyond remittance to expertise and knowledge sharing. Also, strategies to be enhanced to encourage the diaspora population to be involved. In addition, the government through its policy formulators should be more proactive and progressive in aligning policies with the different strategies being implemented to involve diaspora in development. Academically, there is a need for further studies to specialize in the different other methods of diaspora contribution apart from remittance to enhance their holistic participation in economic development.