Gachagua calls for bigger diaspora role in Kenya’s governance

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for a bigger role for Kenyans living abroad in the management of Kenya’s affairs, saying the diaspora’s growing economic contribution gives it a significant stake in the country’s future.

Gachagua made the remarks while speaking to Kenyans living in Dallas, Texas, on Sunday, September 27, 2026, during his ongoing engagements with the Kenyan diaspora in the United States. His Dallas programme is part of a wider US tour that began in August and is scheduled to run for about 50 days.

Addressing the Diaspora Caucus, Gachagua said Kenyans abroad cannot remain spectators in decisions affecting the country simply because they live outside Kenya.

“Though you are away from Kenya, you have such a big impact on what happens at home, and therefore you cannot be spectators in the management of the affairs of our country,” Gachagua stated.

He said Kenyans in the diaspora should instead become “serious partners” in the management of the country.

“You must, because you are … serious partners in the management of the affairs of our country,” he said.

Gachagua highlights diaspora’s economic contribution

Gachagua pointed to diaspora remittances as a major pillar of Kenya’s economy, tracing how the country’s leading sources of foreign exchange have changed over the decades.

He said coffee was the leading foreign-exchange earner in the 1970s before tea overtook it in the 1980s.

“In the 1970s, coffee was number one foreign exchange earner for our country. In the 80s, coffee was overtaken by tea, and tea or tea exports became number one foreign exchange earner for our country.”

He said tourism subsequently overtook both coffee and tea in the 1990s.

“In the 90s, both coffee and tea were overtaken by tourism, and tourism became number one foreign exchange earner.”

According to Gachagua, diaspora remittances have since become the leading source of foreign exchange.

“From the year 2000 to date, for the last 16 years, coffee, tea, and tourism have been overtaken. The number one foreign exchange earner for our country are remittances from the diaspora to our country.”

Official Central Bank of Kenya data shows the substantial scale of remittance inflows into the country, with diaspora remittances remaining a major source of foreign exchange.

‘You are serious drivers of our economy’

Gachagua linked the diaspora’s financial contribution to Kenya’s ability to meet external obligations and pay for imports.

“We pay interest on public debt of 1 trillion Kenya shillings. These debts are paid in hard currency, and it comes from you.”

He added:

“Our imports from China and elsewhere, foreign currency we use to import comes from you.”

Gachagua consequently argued that Kenyans abroad deserve greater involvement in national decision-making.

“You are therefore very serious drivers of our economy, and as such it is unfair for such huge contributors in our economic development not to be involved, not to be present in the decision-making table to decide how our country will be governed and how the money you send home will be utilised.”

Gachagua praises Kenyans who built lives abroad

Gachagua also congratulated Kenyans who had established themselves in the United States, recalling the difficult journey many undertook before building successful careers and investments.

He said some arrived through harambee contributions, while others received support from relatives before settling in the US, finding jobs, saving and investing.

“You came here in foreign land, in the wilderness, settled here, learned the ropes, learned the way things are done, got jobs, saved money, made own investments, and today you are far away from home.”

He congratulated the diaspora for its achievements and urged Kenyans to use their experience and expertise to contribute to the country’s development.

“I want to say congratulations, and I want to say, if you can succeed in a foreign country, you can succeed in any ten times.”

Dallas diaspora raises concerns over Kenya

The Dallas meeting also touched on concerns among Kenyans abroad about the direction of the country.

Gachagua said members of the diaspora shared concerns about governance, constitutional principles, public debt and the delivery of services.

He said the concerns require greater transparency, accountability and an honest national conversation about Kenya’s economic and political direction.

His Dallas engagement came two days after he arrived in Texas on September 25, accompanied by his wife, Rev. Dorcas Rigathi. He said the visit was intended to continue engaging Kenyans living in Texas and build networks for collaboration.

The Dallas leg is part of Gachagua’s wider US tour, which has included engagements with Kenyans in Washington, Oregon and Kansas before his arrival in Texas.

For Gachagua, the message to Kenyans abroad was clear: their contribution to Kenya extends beyond the billions of shillings they send home.

“It is unfair for such huge contributors in our economic development not to be involved, not to be present in the decision-making table.”

He urged the diaspora to become active partners in shaping the affairs of a country they continue to support economically despite living thousands of kilometres away.