President Ruto Declares Kenyan Diaspora the Nation’s Biggest Asset

President William Ruto has declared the Kenyan diaspora as the country's most valuable asset outside its borders, following the announcement that remittances reached an all-time high of KSh638 billion ($4.95 billion) in 2024. His statement signals a significant policy shift positioning global labor migration not just as a social phenomenon, but as a core economic strategy.

Speaking to diaspora representatives from 27 countries at State House Nairobi, Ruto said remittances now outpace Kenya’s traditional exports, including tea, tourism, and coffee. More than just family support, he emphasized, these inflows are strengthening foreign reserves and driving community development across Kenya.

“The support you are giving to your families, and the role you play in the initiation of development projects in your respective communities, is part of nation building,” he said.

However, beyond appreciation, the President unveiled the growing sophistication of Kenya’s labor export framework. Nearly 400,000 Kenyans have been employed abroad in the past two years under the Labour Mobility Programme. Ruto noted that the government maintains records of these workers, including their occupations and earnings an unprecedented level of oversight that indicates a formalized strategy around labor migration.

To further support this pipeline, the government has accelerated passport processing for outbound workers now deliverable in under a week and deregistered 1,000 fraudulent recruitment agencies to protect jobseekers from exploitation.

Yet Ruto’s message also had a cultural tone. He urged diaspora citizens to speak positively about their homeland, calling them “brand champions” for Kenya and warning against damaging narratives spread from abroad.

“Some people talk ill about Kenya as though they have another motherland. That is unacceptable,” he said, while encouraging diasporans to help woo investors.

Analysts say this dual approach combining economic coordination with image diplomacy marks a new chapter in Kenya's diaspora engagement. It is no longer just about patriotism or remittance figures; it’s about integrating the diaspora into the country’s economic and geopolitical architecture.

With President Ruto positioning the diaspora as both financiers and flagbearers, Kenya’s global citizens are being handed not just responsibility but influence. The message is clear: the future of Kenya’s economy is not only at home, but in the hands of its citizens abroad.