Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked Kenyans living abroad to invest in Treasury bonds and bills, assuring them of the security of their investment and better interests.
Speaking on Tuesday evening in Brussels during an interactive session with Kenyans living in Belgium, the DP said the Government had made it easier for them to buy the bonds and get better returns.
“Government bonds and bills are the safest way to invest money in Kenya. They are the surest way of ever investing back home because the government’s security and the interest rates back them are very good,” said the Deputy President at Tangla Hotel in Brussels.
From this investment, the DP said, Kenyans will earn the interest the Government is presently paying foreign lenders for their money.
The Deputy President is in Belgium to represent President William Ruto during the Gateway Summit, hosted by the European Commission.
Mr. Gachagua also encouraged the Kenyans in the diaspora to invest in the affordable housing programme, a flagship project of the Kenya Kwanza Administration, saying the houses are affordable and are being built in areas with good infrastructure.
“I want to invite you to take a keen interest in the affordable housing program. These houses are being put up on government land with the government providing the infrastructure. The units are affordable because there is no extra cost for land, road, electricity,” he said.
The DP assured them that the Ruto administration was keen on closely working with the diaspora community, pointing to the creation of the State Department of Diaspora Affairs as an indication of the seriousness the government took in their interests.
“The Diaspora nation is critical to the Ruto administration. It is exactly why the President established the State Department of Diaspora Affairs to work closely with you in addressing your issues and unlocking your investment potential,” he said.
To ensure better participation in the country’s affairs, the DP said they would streamline passport application and renewal and other necessary documents.
“We are determined to involve you in voting and other national decision-making discourses. The Ruto administration is working to facilitate seamless consular services such as application and renewal of passports, IDs, and other government documents with e-government as a priority,” he added.
The Deputy President also said the Government has overhauled the healthcare system to make it more effective, efficient and comprehensive.
“We have come up with a program where terminal diseases will be covered. We have aligned the contribution so that those who earn more pay more and those who earn less pay less and those who don’t earn are assisted freely,” he said.
