Kenya Urges Diaspora to Invest at Home as Australia Exhibition Highlights Bilateral Ties

Nairobi, Kenya - In a bid to boost economic ties with Australia, Kenya has called upon its diaspora to invest a larger portion of their remittances back into the country, according to a recent exhibition held in Nairobi. The Kenya-Australia: Faces of Connection photo exhibition, held at Shah Houses in Ngara, showcased the personal and professional connections between the two nations.

Ambassador Isaiya Kabira, who spearheaded the exhibition, highlighted that annual remittances from Kenyans living abroad amount to roughly $7 billion, with only 20% directed towards investment. He urged Kenyan citizens overseas, particularly those in Australia, to explore investment opportunities in Kenya. According to the Central Bank of Kenya, formal diaspora remittances reached $5.04 billion in 2025, marking a rise from $4.95 billion in 2024.

The exhibition, themed People. Partnerships. Possibilities., featured photographs and personal accounts of Kenyans and Australians who have contributed to cooperation in various sectors, including education, business, culture, and tourism. A notable example was Dr. Florentius Koech, a Kenyan medical practitioner who returned to Kenya after receiving neurosurgery training in Melbourne to establish a specialist brain and spine hospital in Eldoret.

The exhibition also highlighted Kenyan athlete Eliud Kipchoge, who won the Melbourne Marathon on October 11, setting a new world record. Australian Chargé d’Affaires to Kenya Andrew Barnes emphasized that while government frameworks facilitate international relations, personal relationships play a crucial role in shaping ties between nations.

The exhibition aimed to illustrate how education, professional opportunities, and personal relationships foster cooperation between Kenya and Australia, particularly in sectors such as trade, investment, and tourism.