The Government acknowledges and appreciates that these Kenyans in the Diaspora possess a wealth of knowledge, skills, expertise, experiences and networks which the country needs and is desirous to utilize in moving forward its development agenda in a highly competitive and globalized world. We believe the Diaspora is strategically positioned to play a pivotal role in the transformational socioeconomic development to which our country has committed to in accordance with our Vision 2030 Blueprint. The Government has developed a policy which seeks to formalize and enhance this desired engagement with the diaspora in order to leverage and harness its considerable financial and intellectual resources for our national development. The Diaspora diplomacy is, therefore, one of the Pillars outlined in Kenya’s Foreign Policy. Its main objectives are to provide effective and responsive consular services; facilitate Kenyans abroad to participate in national development; promote the access to the international labour market by Kenyans, and tap into the skills and resources of the Kenyans Abroad for national development. We would therefore wish to encourage the Kenyan Diaspora residing in the UK to register with the Kenya High Commission and establish Diaspora umbrella bodies to enable structured engagement with the Government. The elections are around the corner any plans for the Kenyans in the Diaspora to vote in the national elections? As you are aware, the Constitution grants all eligible Kenyans the right to vote. Cognisant of the logistics necessary to implement this right, the law also allowed its progressive realization. In the last general elections, the Kenyan diaspora in Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda participated in the process, and there is every intention for a wider reach in the next elections. It is, however, important to appreciate that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is the constitutional body responsible for the conduct and supervision of referenda and elections to any elective body or office established by the Constitution, and any other elections as prescribed by an Act of Parliament. Consequently, it is the IEBC that would be in a position to provide direction as to how voting will be conducted in the diaspora in the next general elections and we will wait for their guidance on the matter. What is your take on Brexit? What implications does it have on Kenya UK relations The EU referendum was a democratic process undertaken by a sovereign state, and the outcome represents the will of the voters. It is understandable that the BREXIT vote brought about temporary economic uncertainty after the referendum results that negatively affected the strength of the sterling pound and the stock market, but this was expected in the short term. However, the Sterling pound has now generally stabilized; the London Stock Exchange has recorded an upward trend, and the world markets are gradually absorbing the economic shocks experienced after the referendum. At the national level, as you are already aware, the UK is one of Kenya’s key trading partners and remains a strategic market for Kenyan tea, coffee, and horticultural products including the famous Kenyan flowers. Kenya currently trades with the UK essentially under the European Union and East African Community Economic Partnership Agreement (EU-EAC-EPA) which was initialed in 2008 and is awaiting signing by the EAC Partner States. However, it is worth noting that the exit of the UK from the EU may call for the negotiation of a bilateral framework between Kenya and the UK to manage economic relations and ensure a smooth transition. This will depend on the outcome of the negotiations between the UK and the EU member states on their exit strategy and subsequent related agreements. It is important to note that the UK will remain in the EU until negotiations for exit are concluded, a process that is expected to take approximately two (2) years after triggering article 50 of the Lisbon treaty that will initiate withdrawal from the organization. The economic and trade relations between Kenya and the UK will, therefore, continue to operate under the current trading arrangements until the negotiations and exit procedures are completed. The status quo should be a reassurance to the business communities in our two countries that there will be no interference with the current economic relations between the two nations. The UK Government has indeed emphasized that it will remain engaged with its key trading partners during the period of the negotiations. Taking into consideration the cordial and warm relations between our two countries, we are confident that Kenya will work towards negotiating a mutually beneficial framework to further deepen our existing trade and economic relations . 8 1ST EDITION | JULY 2016
1ST EDITION | JULY 2016 9