Advocacy from a Community Perspective
To write on advocacy from a community standpoint brings forth various viewpoints, particularly in relation to our nation. Indeed, a lot has happened, yet the diaspora’s collective action has often remained low, weak, and at times, ineffective.
Today, in matters concerning our nation, the Kenya Community NSW (KCNSW) has successfully led two petitions. The first, launched on June 25th, was an online petition demanding, among other things, the complete rejection of the Finance Bill and greater inclusion of the diaspora in national matters. Approximately 400 people signed and supported the petition. However, its impact was limited, as it was one among many circulating online at the time.
The Kenya Community Memorandum of 2024, which focused primarily on Kenyans in Australia, marked a turning point.
When we first drafted what became the Memorandum 2024, it raised numerous questions. For far too long, the diaspora nation had been left behind, unrecognised, and only appreciated in fleeting moments when we were considered contributors to the economy. In essence, the diaspora was viewed more as a source of remittances than as an integral part of the citizenry.
Within 24 hours, we found ourselves preparing for a working dinner with the head of a legislative arm of government. The question then became, how could we make the most of such an opportunity? Ideas were exchanged, often accompanied by doubt, deeper questions, and a sense of futility.
At around 6 p.m. on the eve of the meeting, the High Commissioner approved our request to petition Parliament. Time was short, the issues were many, and for the first time, we had a confirmed audience. In political terms, this was our moment. We worked on the draft until 2 a.m. At midday, I gave a brief phone interview with SBS regarding its contents, and by 4 p.m., the High Commissioner had approved it.
Today, as we reflect, we must ask ourselves what advocacy means, has meant, and could mean for the diaspora community. The success of the petition calls upon us to think more broadly about how we can use our collective power to influence change. In any democratic state, collective action and a unified voice remain powerful tools. Within KCNSW, we have engaged in advocacy at the local and state levels, and we now continue our work at the federal level.
Yet, we must confront a critical question: how do we transform our numbers and potential into real influence? Let it be said that we cannot simply wait for a visiting delegation, burn the midnight oil, and hope to present a memorandum. Action must be continuous, structured, and strategic.
1. Formation of Think Tanks
The growth of any nation depends on the ideological frameworks that guide its governance. History shows that successful regimes are often grounded in clear ideologies or schools of thought. The diaspora community must therefore act swiftly to establish think tanks dedicated to debating and scrutinising developments within our nation.
Such think tanks would interpret the implications of new policies, analyse their long-term effects, and communicate these insights to the broader community. The average citizen, inall humility, lacks the time or expertise to engage deeply with policy matters. These diaspora think tanks would provide advisory briefs to our leaders outlining what to petition for, why it matters, and which questions should be raised in high-level engagements.
Leaving leadership alone to handle complex issues is ineffective, given their many commitments. A structured advisory mechanism would strengthen both the quality and the consistency of diaspora advocacy.
2. Annual Memorandum and Petitions
As our diaspora community grows and strengthens its connection with the motherland, our issues and concerns will naturally multiply. It must be acknowledged that the contrast between Kenya’s policy frameworks and Australia’s will continue to inspire the diaspora to advocate for reforms back home.
However, meaningful advocacy requires ideological consistency, something our nation has often lacked. Addressing issues on an ad hoc basis weakens their impact. For this reason, the diaspora should commit to producing an annual memorandum or petition, beginning with a reflection on the achievements and gaps of the previous year.
Good governance demands continuity. Each year’s memorandum should acknowledge what has been accomplished and identify what remains undone. Ideally, this process should begin in the final quarter of the year, allowing time for consultation and collection of views. The proposed think tank could coordinate this process, culminating in a public forum to debate and refine the memorandum before submission.
This approach encourages transparency, collective ownership, and meaningful participation across the diaspora.
3. Nationwide Action
One of the reasons the 2024 Memorandum succeeded, though partly by circumstance, was that it was ultimately adopted by the entire Kenya Community in Australia. Initially drafted to reflect the views of the Kenyan community in NSW, it later gained national traction when other state presidents who were present at the time endorsed it.
For advocacy to carry weight, it must transcend regional boundaries. We must work collaboratively with other states as we draft future memorandums, ensuring that our petitions reflect a united diaspora voice. When we speak together, we amplify our impact.
The recent statements by the High Commissioner illustrate that we are beginning to move toward more unified advocacy through coordination among various diaspora offices. This national cohesion must continue to grow.
We, the Kenyan people, though scattered across different states, remain bound by a common identity and responsibility to our homeland. Let our advocacy not be fragmented but instead a unified voice echoing across nations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many issues that the diaspora can petition about, and given the dynamic nature of national development, new challenges will continue to emerge. What is required from the diaspora community is a structured and coordinated way of responding, one that promotes serious discussion, critical scrutiny, and broad participation.
It is encouraging to note that many Kenyans took the time to read the High Commissioner’s paper, which amplified the diaspora voice. The path has now been set, and the success of 2024 serves as a strong foundation. From this point forward, what is needed is an organised framework of operation and a shared understanding that, for far too long, Kenya has lacked a consistent fidelity to any clear form of ideology.
The call to action is clear. Our advocacy must now mature into a system built on reflection, structure, and sustained engagement.
Mathew Gitau