Kenya unveiled a strategy plan on Monday that aims to lower the costs of remittances sent by its diaspora and increase the volume of money flowing back to the country.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi emphasized the crucial role that Kenyans abroad play in the local economy. "Kenyans abroad make direct investments locally, providing social support or creating an enabling environment for Kenyan exports. Their contribution is evident in various sectors of the economy, including education, health, housing, agriculture, tourism and trade," he said during the launch of the three-year strategic plan in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya.

Mudavadi, who also serves as the cabinet secretary for foreign and diaspora affairs, highlighted the need for discussions focused on lowering the expenses associated with sending money from members of the diaspora back to their countries of origin.

He said that the government aims to reduce these costs to 3 percent of the transfer value, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 10 (c), which seeks to make remittance fees more affordable.

"The remittance costs remain high despite calls for reduction. For the viability of social benefits portability, the transaction costs must be reduced. I therefore encourage all stakeholders to join together, in Kenya, regionally, and globally, to bring the costs of remittances to the global target," he added.

According to Mudavadi, Kenya's diaspora remittances grew to 2.8 billion U.S. dollars from January to July 2024, compared to 2.4 billion dollars during a similar period in 2023.

He said a review of the trend for the first seven months of 2024 indicates a projected increase in annual remittances from 4.19 billion dollars in 2023 to 4.8 billion dollars in 2024, marking a 14.6 percent increase.

Mudavadi said the exponential growth puts the country on track toward attaining the remittance target of 1 trillion shillings (about 7.72 billion U.S. dollars) annually by 2027, coinciding with the end of the strategic plan.

The Kenyan official also said the increase in remittances not only enhances investments, but also helps strengthen Kenya's balance of payments and reduce the vulnerability of Kenyan shilling to external pressure.

He also called on foreign ministry officials to take a leadership role in developing a framework that facilitates the comfortable return of diaspora members to their home country. ■ Xinhua

“We have today decided to launch a comprehensive strategic cooperation program with the Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Prime Minister Viktor Orbán announced at a press conference after talks with the President of the African country, Félix Tshisekedi, in Budapest on Monday.

The Hungarian Prime Minister emphasized that the President of Congo had never visited Hungary before, and that Félix Tshisekedi’s visit was therefore of historic importance.

The importance of Africa cannot be overestimated, he said, adding that the continent will play an enormous role in the future of the whole world. “We are talking about a huge mass of people, which is difficult to imagine with a European mind, because Europe’s population is shrinking. To feed, educate, employ, and provide healthcare for so many people is an unprecedented challenge for Africa,” he said.

The Prime Minister added:

"Hungary believes that a comprehensive development strategy for Africa is needed, “something we have initiated several times in the EU and continue to advocate.”

Speaking at the press event, the Congo President noted that he and the Hungarian Prime Minister had held a long working meeting and had examined areas that could be “axes” of cooperation. He added that it was important for them that the visit took place now, as Hungary currently holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

Mr. Orbán said that

on Monday, they had agreed to launch a comprehensive strategic cooperation program based on an economic, an infrastructure development and an education pillar.

As the “economic flagship” of Hungarian-Congolese cooperation, he highlighted the 600 million dollar Hungarian-led and partly Hungarian-funded road and bridge project linking Congo with Zambia. 

Hungary has one of the world’s largest battery production capacities, the Prime Minister said, pointing out that “we are currently the world’s fourth largest producer and will be the world’s second largest producer next year.

The raw materials needed for this, especially cobalt, come from Congo, therefore there will also be an opportunity for trilateral cooperation in this area.”

Félix Tshisekedi gave the example of their strategic mineral resources, which are already being processed in Hungary. They would like to develop such a model of cooperation in several sectors, such as agriculture, livestock breeding, or fisheries.

The President stressed that “we consider it important to say what challenges we are facing,” noting that Congo’s development is made difficult by the fact that it is currently “the victim of a barbaric attack” by neighbouring Rwanda. He stressed that the attack had caused significant humanitarian losses, but that a peace process had already been launched with Angola’s intervention, leading to a ceasefire. Viktor Orbán recalled that the Hungary Helps Agency had implemented twelve development and humanitarian programs in Congo. Hungary Today

Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo has filed a censure motion at the Senate against President William Ruto. On Tuesday, October 1, the Wiper senator filed the motion to discuss the conduct of the head of state, arguing that he has contravened the constitution.

In the motion, Maanzo accused Ruto of having failed to address key issues and challenges facing Kenyans. In his motion, the senator wants Ruto censured over his recent treatment of protestors during the anti-government protests in Nairobi.

Maanzo argued that the oresident failed to protect the lives of Kenyans during the anti-government protests despite being the Chair of the National Security Council. ‘’CONCERNED THAT Article 25(a) (c) provides for rights and fundamental freedoms which CANNOT be limited; the right to freedom from torture and cruel, inhuman treatment or degrading treatment or punishment, right to fair trial bearing in mind the recent abductions, torture and disappearances of Kenyans,’’ Maanzo stated in the motion. By Amos Khaemba, Tuko