Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on Tuesday, May 16, launched Mobile Consular Services (MCS) that allow Kenyans in the diaspora to apply for passports, Identity Cards and Birth Certificates from any part of the world.
Dr Mutua stated that MCS was a government initiative that aims to bring Consular Services closer to the Kenyans in the diaspora wherever they are.
“The services provided include processing of E-Passports, National Identity Cards, Birth Certificates, counselling and advisory services on pressing matters, among other engagements with the Diaspora,” read part of Mutua’s statement.
Mutua explained that MCS kicked off in the USA in April 2023 and the Kenyan government was aiming to roll out similar mobile consular services in the Middle East, Australia, Africa and Europe.
He also held a meeting with the Kenya High Commission staff in Ottawa, acknowledging the work they do in the promotion and projection of Kenya's interests in Canada.
“I committed to ensure that all Kenyan missions abroad are well facilitated to deliver on their respective mandates,” he stated.
The Foreign Affairs CS stated that the new technology will enable Kenyans in the diaspora access key government services without necessarily travelling to Kenya for processing the key documents.
The CS had earlier signed deals with the government of Canada to grow the economy of the Kenya.
For instance, the Hustler Fund received a major boost after the Canadian Government offered to support President William Ruto's flagship project with Ksh50 billion.
In a statement, the Foreign Affairs CS confirmed that the Canadian Government, headed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, supported the project during a meeting with the North American country's Minister for Small Businesses, Mary Ng, held in Ottawa.
"I also welcomed Canadian Government's support for the Hustler Fund, a flagship economic model by President William Ruto that provides credit to small and medium enterprises," read the statement in part.
The CS further noted that during their meeting, the two ministers agreed to foster trade and cooperation between the two countries.
Specifically, he explained that they agreed to pursue negotiations on Kenya-Canada Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA), paving the way for more foreign direct investments and trade for Kenya.
The other two deals the two countries sealed were working within the Canada-Africa Economic Coop Strategy for broader trade and economic cooperation and a commitment for accelerated negotiation on the foreign direct investments framework with a view to having it signed before the end of 2023.
