Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua unveiled a new initiative on May 16 that will revolutionize consular services for Kenyans living abroad. At the launch, Dr. Mutua hit the nail on the head, highlighting that the MCS program is a government-driven initiative designed to bring Consular Services within arm’s reach of Kenyans living abroad. This all-inclusive program offers a potpourri of services, including processing E-Passports, National Identity Cards, Birth Certificates, and providing counseling and advisory services on pressing matters that affect the diaspora community.

The rollout of MCS commenced in the United States in April 2023, marking a significant milestone. The Kenyan government is thinking big, setting its sights on spreading these mobile consular services like wildfire to other regions such as the Middle East, Australia, Africa, and Europe.

During the launch, Dr. Alfred Mutua also engaged with the Kenya High Commission staff in Ottawa, expressing appreciation for their dedication in promoting and safeguarding Kenya’s interests in Canada. He reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that all Kenyan missions abroad are properly equipped to fulfill their respective mandates effectively.

This new technological solution hits the jackpot by allowing Kenyans in the diaspora to access vital government services on their doorstep, sparing them the trouble of traveling all the way back to Kenya for document processing.

In addition to the MCS, the Foreign Affairs CS has been working to strengthen bilateral relations with Canada. Notably, the Hustler Fund, President William Ruto’s flagship economic project, recently received a substantial boost of Ksh50 billion through support from the Canadian Government, led by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The backing was confirmed during a productive meeting held in Ottawa between Dr. Mutua and Canada’s Minister for Small Businesses, Mary Ng.

Expressing gratitude for the support, Dr. Mutua emphasized the significance of the Hustler Fund in providing credit to small and medium enterprises. The CS also underscored the mutual commitment between Kenya and Canada to enhance trade and cooperation. As part and parcel of this endeavor, the two ministers rolled up their sleeves and committed to pursuing negotiations on the Kenya-Canada Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA), which will open the floodgates for heightened foreign direct investments and trade opportunities for Kenya.

Furthermore, both countries sealed two additional agreements. The first involves collaboration within the Canada-Africa Economic Coop Strategy, which aims to foster broader trade and economic cooperation. The second agreement focuses on expediting negotiations for a foreign direct investments framework, with the goal of finalizing it before the end of 2023. These initiatives demonstrate the commitment of Kenya and Canada to strengthening their partnership and driving economic growth