The Kenyan government recognizes the contribution by close to 2.5 million Kenyans in the Diaspora towards the country's economic growth through their remittance, Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has said.
Mr. Musyoka noted that in 2008-2009 financial year Kenyans living and working abroad remitted over $1billion to the country.
He said the government will continue to engage her citizens abroad in various fields as they were only contributors to the country's economic growth but also they are ambassadors who play a crucial role of boosting positive image internationally.
The Vice President made the remarks on Monday when he opened the first conference of Kenya's honorary consuls abroad, at the Windsor Hotel Nairobi.
The conference whose theme is "New Dimensions in Kenya's Diplomacy: the role of the Kenya's consuls is aimed at appraising the officials with the country's foreign policy priorities and their role in actualizing them.
Mr. Musyoka said the adoption of the proposed constitution will open doors for the country to expand its bilateral relations with the rest of the world for the benefit of her people.
He said the new law will allow for dual citizenship, thus creating the right environment for the Diaspora to increase its remittances and investments
On tourism and foreign investments, Mr. Musyoka added, the draft proposes the devolution of funds thus opening up the rural areas for business and development.
The Vice President said the government was in the process of producing a written foreign policy in which core priorities and objectives such as promoting economic development, enhancing regional peace and security with interlinked pillars of diplomacy will be outlined. He however, noted that due to financial and economic limitations, the government has adopted a strategy of expanding Honorary Consular representation abroad to conduct Kenya's diplomatic interests.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs (MFA) Moses Wetangula commended the honorary consuls for offering to represent Kenya abroad, citing Australia where there are many Kenyans studying and working. He assured that the government will support all the efforts by honorary consuls in their tasks as country's representatives.
Mr. Wetangula assured them that they will be introduced to the key players in the Kenya economy and the role they can play in the vision 2030.
The Dean of Honorary Consuls, Mr.Jens Peter Breitengross of Hamburg, Germany urged the ministry to keep them informed of the changes that are taking place in Kenya.