Machakos Deputy Governor Urges Diaspora to Invest Back Home

By Andrew Mbuva.

Machakos Deputy Governor Francis Mwangangi has called on Kenyans and East Africans living in the United States to channel their skills, capital and experience back into their home countries as a key driver of sustainable development.

Speaking during a meeting with a section of Kenyans and East African citizens residing in Chicago, Illinois, Mwangangi lauded the diaspora community for its resilience, hard work and remarkable success in business and professional careers across major American cities, including Washington DC, New York and Chicago.

“Kenyans and East Africans are hardworking people. Wherever we have gone, we have seen our people excelling in business and holding very senior positions in their places of work,” he said.

While acknowledging the opportunities available abroad, the Deputy Governor urged those living in the diaspora not to forget their roots. He appealed to professionals and entrepreneurs to consider investing back home, noting that such investments would significantly contribute to the economic growth and development of their countries of origin.

Mwangangi observed that developed nations thrive partly because they attract and retain highly educated and business-minded individuals, who continue to build already strong economies. He cautioned that while this benefits host countries, Africa risks losing valuable human capital unless deliberate efforts are made to reinvest skills and resources back home.

“We must always remember where we come from. There are many large corporations with branches across Africa and Kenya that are seeking to expand, and the opportunities back home are immense,” he said.

He particularly pitched Machakos County as a prime investment destination, citing its strategic location next to Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city, and its access to regional and international markets. The county, he noted, is well connected to the Indian Ocean through both road and railway networks, making global markets easily accessible by air, sea and land.

“If you are thinking of investing in Kenya, Machakos is the place to be,” Mwangangi emphasized.

The Deputy Governor further encouraged the diaspora to act as ambassadors for their countries while abroad and to actively hold policymakers back home accountable. He stressed that leaders must be pressured to remain people-centered and selfless, putting national and public interests above personal gain.

“We need leaders who serve selflessly and prioritize the interests of the people and the country. That is how developed nations have reached where they are today,” he said.

Mwangangi thanked the Kenyan and East African community in Chicago for their warm hospitality during his week-long visit, which also included a visit to the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago. He wished them continued success and expressed hope for stronger ties and future engagements.

His remarks underscored a growing call by Kenyan leaders for diaspora-driven development, positioning overseas citizens as a critical pillar in the country’s economic transformation agenda.