- The move, he said, is part of a broader strategy to empower Kenyans in the diaspora to thrive and to channel their success into national growth.
President William Ruto has announced sweeping reforms to diaspora services, dramatically reducing passport processing time from three months to just three days for Kenyans with confirmed job offers abroad. The move, he said, is part of a broader strategy to empower Kenyans in the diaspora to thrive and to channel their success into national growth.
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Speaking in Doha, Qatar, where he is attending the United Nations Social Development Summit (WSSD2), Ruto has emphasized that the government is not only streamlining documentation but also actively facilitating travel for those taking up overseas opportunities.
To safeguard Kenyan workers, the government has deregistered over 600 rogue labour agencies and now restricts deployment to countries with formal bilateral labour agreements.
“We are also pursuing new agreements to secure skilled and professional job opportunities for Kenyans abroad,” Ruto said. “This will enable our youth to access better-paying roles, gain advanced skills, and bring valuable experience back home.”
The president also highlighted efforts to ease remittance flows and expand investment pathways for the diaspora, including the proposed diaspora bond. “We’re exploring ways to make it cheaper and easier for Kenyans to send money home,” he said, “and creating more instruments to strengthen their contribution to our economy.”
The United Nations Social Development Summit (WSSD2), held from November 4–6, 2025, marks 30 years since the first World Summit for Social Development in Copenhagen.
This year’s gathering brings together global leaders to renew commitments to equity, dignity, and inclusive development principles.
