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Frequently Asked Questions

Liaison and Partnerships

Yes, there are numerous partnership opportunities for Kenyans with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs. The department is keen to collaborate with individuals, Businesses, NGOs, and MDAs to support the Kenyan Diaspora and enhance their engagement with the homeland.

To initiate a partnership, you can contact the State Department through our official email liaison@diaspora.go.ke Your proposition will be reviewed, and you will later be invited to a meeting to discuss the available opportunities for partnerships.

You can begin by sending an email to liaison@diaspora.go.ke outlining the philanthropic activities you are interested in participating in. Once you make contact, guidance will be provided.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) provides guidelines and procedures for registering and voting for Kenyans abroad. All eligible Kenyan citizens residing abroad are allowed to vote although currently, we have 12 Countries verified by IEBC for diaspora voting which include; Qatar, Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, South Africa, South Sudan, Germany, UK, UAE, Canada, USA.

County governments can collaborate with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs by; Identifying Diaspora Needs to advocate for policies that benefit the Diaspora at both the national and county levels, Developing Targeted Programs, Facilitating Partnerships, and Promoting Investment Encourage Diaspora investment in their home counties through incentives and support programs.
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Welfare and Rights

Yes, Kenyan citizens abroad can renew their passports online by following the instructions on the platform.

Yes, E-citizen accepts payments using international credit/debit cards enabled for online transactions

Contact the State Department for Diaspora Affairs via: • Phone: +254114757002 • Email: diaspora@mfa.go.ke, consular@diaspora.go.ke, kazimajuu.diaspora@go.ke • Website: www.diaspora.go.ke • Social media: @diaspora_ke for updates and announcements.

Visit the E-citizen website (https://accounts.ecitizen.go.ke/en/) and follow the registration process with the required documentation.

Log into your E-citizen account and check the application status section.

Timelines vary depending on the situation. The government may intervene in covering costs if the family is unable to do so.

The Division is responsible for protecting the rights and promoting the welfare and interests of Kenyans in the diaspora.

The platform offers services like passport applications, birth certificate requests, driving license renewals, and business registrations. If systems or links are not working, contact the E-citizen support team for assistance.

Identify which Kenyan Embassy or High Commission is accredited to that country. You can also seek assistance from honorary consuls or international organizations like the International Organization for Migration (IOM) or relevant UN agencies

The Division facilitates repatriation of distressed Kenyans and human remains, medical evacuations, and safety evacuations during crises. It also assists with tracing lost loved ones, prison visits, and providing psycho-social support through counseling. Additionally, the Division helps with the acquisition, renewal, or replacement of vital documents like birth certificates, passports, certificates of good conduct, and identification cards through Mobile Consular Services.

The process typically takes two weeks or less, depending on various factors like family disputes, fund-raising delays,
or ongoing investigations.

Register with the nearest Kenyan Embassy/Consulate/High Commission or, if unavailable, with a mission of a friendly country or an East African Community Partner State. Join local Kenyan communities and Diaspora Associations for support and socialization.

Research the country’s visa and immigration rules, culture, and employment laws. Ensure you understand the dos and don’ts to avoid legal issues. Obey all the laws of the country.

Contact the nearest Kenyan Mission or the State Department for Diaspora Affairs via email, providing details like your name, form of distress, passport/ID number, and the country you are in. If unable to report yourself, a relative or friend can report on your behalf.

Report the death to the State Department for Diaspora Affairs via email at diaspora@mfa.go.ke with all necessary details, including the name, passport number, and location of the deceased.

Find a safe place and contact the Kenyan Embassy/Consulate/High Commission. You can also reach out to the State Department for Diaspora Affairs via email.

The family of the deceased is usually responsible, though employers or institutions may cover the costs depending on the employment contract or terms of admission.

Cooperate with law enforcement and request them to notify your Embassy/Consulate/High Commission immediately.

Yes, there is a helpline and support service available for assistance with any issues encountered on the platform.
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Passport Application/Renewal

  1. Register on www.ecitizen.go.ke
  2. Login into your account
  3. Click on Directorate of Immigration Services (New Applications)
  4. Click on passport application.
  5. Read the instructions carefully then fill the application form.
  6. Select the mode of payment and pay for the passport fees.
  7. Download and print the application form and application receipts.

If you are logged out of your account due to application system timeout,

  1. Log back into your account
  2. Click on history
  3. Select your application (starts with epp1 or cpp1)
  4. Click on edit
  5. Continue filling your application
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Skills and Expertise

The State Department increases awareness, provides consular assistance, advocates for rights, and establishes emergency response mechanisms to safeguard Kenyan workers.

The State Department supports Kenyans through the Skills and Expertise Division, which negotiates Bilateral Labour Agreements (BLAs), hosts job fairs, and verifies job offers. The Welfare and Rights Division handles repatriation and distress cases. The State Department also works closely with Kenyan Missions abroad to ensure that Kenyans are informed, protected, and supported.

This depends on the employer and the terms of the employment contract. Confirm these details before accepting a job offer.

Verify the legitimacy of the job offer through registered and licensed recruitment agencies. Ensure the job aligns with your skills, and understand the contract terms, including salary, working hours, and benefits. Check if the employer provides accommodation and travel arrangements and be aware of any facilitation fees. Familiarize yourself with the labour laws and cultural practices of the destination country.

Recruitment agencies may charge facilitation fees to cover essential costs like visa processing, flights, and travel. These fees should be transparent and verifiable online. Some jobs offer fully funded opportunities where the employer covers travel and accommodation expenses.

The division is interested in a wide range of skills and expertise across various sectors, including but not limited to sectors, including more.

The division is planning on employing a registration and profiling system where diaspora members provide information about their skills; qualifications, and areas of qualifications, and programs and surveys are conducted to ensure a comprehensive understanding of available skills.

Yes, the Skills and Expertise Division will organize programs, workshops, and initiatives to facilitate knowledge transfer. These include mentorship programs, skill-sharing events, and collaborative projects aimed at leveraging the expertise of diaspora members for the benefit of Kenya.

The State Department ensures that jobs offered to Kenyans comply with Kenyan labour laws and International Labour Organization (ILO) standards. Migrant workers must undergo mandatory pre-migration training and are encouraged to register with Kenyan Embassies. The Department has set up 24-hour helplines in different countries and a desk at JKIA to monitor departures and prevent trafficking or travel to banned labour destinations.

Yes, skilled professionals are encouraged to apply through pathways such as the Opportunity Card for Germany and the EU Blue Card. The neamis.go.ke platform offers a wide range of job opportunities for skilled professionals and tradespeople. Skills matching with the country of destination are also an important consideration when seeking opportunities abroad.

Absolutely. The Skills and Expertise Division encourages diaspora members to propose projects or initiatives aligned with their skills and expertise. The division will assess the proposals and provide support for viable projects.

Job opportunities vary and can include full-time, part-time, or seasonal employment.

The division is implementing monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to track the progress and impact of knowledge transfer initiatives. Feedback from both diaspora members and their counterparts in Kenya is actively sought and used to improve the effectiveness of future collaborations.

While financial support may be available for specific projects or programs, it depends on the nature of the collaboration and available resources. The division encourages diaspora members to discuss their needs and potential support during project proposal discussions.

The mapping of diaspora skills will enable targeted capacity-building initiatives of the Government of Kenya. By identifying experts willing to contribute to mentorship, training programs, and educational partnerships, Kenya can strengthen its human capital and institutional capacity. There are also opportunities to collaborate in CSR activities that will be initiated by the Skills and Expertise division
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Savings, Investments and Remittances

The Savings, Investments, and Remittances Department serves the diaspora community by providing detailed information on investment opportunities and recommending appropriate channels for investments and remittances. Our goal is to empower you with the knowledge needed to make informed financial decisions tailored to your specific needs.

The Savings, Investments, and Remittances Department actively collaborates with local companies, organizations, and government agencies to foster economic development in the diaspora's home countries. Our initiatives involve providing you with vital information and connecting you to platforms that create an enabling environment for your business, ensuring that you have the necessary resources to thrive in your entrepreneurial endeavors.

Yes, the department facilitates Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) in Kenya by providing support, guidance, and facilitating incentives to foreign investors through various channels such as the Capital Market Authority (CMA), https://www.cma.or.ke/, Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), https://www.invest.go.ke/,Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) https://www.kra.go.ke/ and other relevant government agencies. Additionally, we work to streamline regulations, improve the investment climate, and promote Kenya as an attractive destination for foreign investment.

You can find detailed information about specific investment opportunities in Kenya by visiting government websites such as the Kenya Investment Authority (KenInvest), https://www.invest.go.ke/ , Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), https://kepsa.or.ke/ Public Private Partnership (PPPs) https://shorturl.at/yABP4 Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) https://www.centralbank.go.ke/ among others and exploring industry reports and publications for insights into various sectors.
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FAQ Categories
Liaison and Partnerships 5 Welfare and Rights 20 Passport Application/Renewal 2 Skills and Expertise 15 Savings, Investments and Remittances 4
Need More Help?

If you can't find an answer to your question, please contact our support team at +254 114 757 002 or email consular@diaspora.go.ke.