Don’t stifle the potential of diaspora remittances

It is estimated that close to 3 million Kenyans live and work abroad. The most famous person who forms part of the Kenyan diaspora is former US President Barack Obama. His roots are in Kenya and I guess like most of us who have adopted other countries as their home, Mr Obama sends money back to his extended family in Kogelo.

In his memoir, Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance, the former US President fondly makes references to his father’s Kenyan heritage and links. Indications of money being sent to Kenya can be inferred from the best-seller. Another famous Kenyan is Lupita Nyong’o. She definitely has invested in Kenya, if the big money received from her film career in the United States is anything to go by. There is Victor Wanyama, the Tottenham Hotspur footballer following in the footsteps of McDonald Mariga and Dennis Oliech.