Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has called on the National Assembly to allocate adequate resources to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to assist Kenyans facing legal troubles abroad.
Speaking during question time in Parliament on Thursday, Mudavadi emphasized that while the government faces pressure from the public to intervene in such cases, it is ultimately the responsibility of lawmakers to ensure the ministry has the budget to act.
“We as the government are being pressured by society, yet it is Parliament that holds the key through budgetary allocation. Kenyan society needs to be aware of this so that the government is not unfairly blamed when in fact it is Parliament that determines the availability of funds,” Mudavadi said.
He stated that the government has a constitutional obligation to safeguard all Kenyans, including those in the diaspora, and stressed that foreign missions can only offer meaningful support if adequately resourced.
Currently, more than 1,000 Kenyans are incarcerated in foreign countries for various offences, ranging from minor misdemeanours to serious crimes. Mudavadi acknowledged that not all are guilty but reiterated the importance of ensuring access to legal support to navigate such challenges.
“To the innocence or guilt of those individuals, we must all remain vigilant. Nonetheless, we will re-engage our missions to assess what more can be done to provide legal support for our citizens abroad,” he noted.
The Prime Cabinet Secretary also highlighted the vulnerability of Kenyan youth, who make up a significant portion of those in trouble overseas. He called on all leaders to play a proactive role in sensitizing the youth about the risks involved in engaging in illegal activities abroad.
“We must begin to communicate to our young people in all constituencies. They need to understand that getting into trouble in a foreign country can be extremely painful. It leads to isolation and prolonged suffering,” Mudavadi warned.
He urged for a collective national effort to create awareness and reduce the number of Kenyans getting caught up in foreign legal systems.
