The Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA) estimated to have over 3 Million Kenyans has hit President Uhuru Kenyatta with tough demands after he won the elections on Friday.
In a statement from KDA Chair Shem Ochuodho, Kenyans living abroad noted that the President should create the Ministry of Diaspora Affairs or rename the current Foreign Affairs docket to Foreign and Diaspora Affairs.
Dr Ochuodho noted that it was important to establish such a docket to cater for diaspora affairs and needs of Kenyans living abroad as they were leading in Kenya's remittances in the past years.
He cited Nigeria, India, and Georgia as countries that had established such ministries and urged the government to follow up in line.
“In the alternative, Foreign (ministry) should be restructured and renamed ‘Foreign and Diaspora Affairs’ to give the Ministry appropriate mandate to deal with this increasingly crucial segment of our society,” Ochuodho stated.
KDA congratulated President Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto for their re-election and urged them to immediately embark on uniting the country.
The diaspora alliance chair mentioned that the Jubilee government should focus on uniting the country and fighting corruption.
“It cannot be business as usual; the next five years must be different. Kenyans can’t accept to be held back any longer by these two vices,” he stated.
He congratulated the Opposition National Super Alliance (NASA) on their continued fight for democracy and advised them to seek legal redress on their allegations regarding the handling of the elections.
"KDA too feels there was a predictive sprouting of presidential figures that was suspicious. However, only a professional forensic audit will establish the truth and lay to rest any such fears,” Ochuodho stated.
The 2017 election saw a total of 4,393 Kenyans living abroad register and participate in the elections for the first time in Kenya's history.
