Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka Speaking during a dinner engagement with Kenyans in Washington DC on Friday evening. Photo Courtesy. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka has reaffirmed his commitment to safeguarding the welfare of Kenyans living abroad while positioning the diaspora as a key pillar in the country’s economic transformation.
Speaking during a dinner engagement with Kenyans in Washington DC on Friday evening, Musyoka said discussions with the diaspora community revealed the heavy responsibility many Kenyans abroad carry in supporting families and communities back home amid a challenging economic environment.
He noted that rising taxation, shrinking employment opportunities for young people, and a struggling economy have made diaspora remittances a critical lifeline for many households across the country.
“Our conversations reflected a shared reality that even as Kenyans abroad build new lives, many continue to shoulder the growing burden of supporting families and communities back home. Their sacrifice keeps many homes standing,” said Musyoka.
The former Vice President emphasized the vast investment potential within the diaspora community, noting that Kenyans abroad remain eager to invest in enterprise, property, innovation, and long-term development projects in the country. However, he acknowledged that investors in the diaspora continue to demand stable and predictable policies that safeguard their investments and eliminate bureaucratic hurdles.
Musyoka argued that with clear and investor-friendly frameworks, the diaspora could remain one of Kenya’s strongest engines for economic growth and national transformation.
The Wiper leader also raised concerns over the safety and protection of Kenyans working abroad, citing the plight of citizens caught in the Russia–Ukraine conflict after migrating in search of employment opportunities. He described their experiences as deeply troubling and said they exposed serious gaps in Kenya’s labour migration systems.
Further concerns, he noted, were triggered by a New York Times investigation last year that questioned the management of Kenya’s labour export programmes. The report raised alarm over alleged systems that prioritise labour export without sufficient safeguards for workers, sparking anxiety among diaspora communities over accountability and the protection of Kenyan workers overseas.
“These revelations have heightened concerns about oversight and the value placed on Kenyan lives and dignity abroad. These are issues that demand transparency and decisive action,” Musyoka stated.
Positioning himself as part of what he termed an “alternative government in waiting,” Musyoka pledged to place dignity, safety, and economic empowerment at the centre of national governance if given the opportunity to lead.
He stressed that Kenyans living abroad are not detached from national development but remain an integral part of the country’s present and future.
“Their voices matter. Their contribution matters. Their welfare matters,” he said, adding that his leadership would focus on building a nation that protects its citizens and recognises their sacrifices.
Musyoka concluded by rallying Kenyans both at home and abroad to support his vision for national renewal, declaring, “Together, we will continue working toward a Kenya that protects its people, respects their sacrifice, and builds a future worthy of their belief. Together we shall Komboa Kenya.”
The Washington engagement was attended by Deputy Minority Leader in the National Assembly and Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo, and Machakos County MCA Helen Ndeti
