Are your embassies abroad effective?
Kenya's embassies around the world are facing serious funding difficulties. This is due to the falling value of the Kenyan shilling.
But while Kenya's government is looking at ways to make sure operations at its embassies are safeguarded, some Kenyans are questioning the value of some of these missions abroad.
Are you happy with your embassies abroad? Are they worth your tax money?
On Facebook, Gabriel Angura in Uganda says: ''Most embassies abroad serve the interests of a few people in the government.'' Linda Yotamu in South Africa asks: ''How are we supposed to know (what embassies do) when they don't tell us?''
If you have questions on how embassies work and if you would like to debate this topic LIVE on air on Wednesday 17 August at 1600 GMT, please include a telephone number. It will not be published.
Comment number 1.
At 17:51 17th Aug 2011, Sigismond W wrote:Granted African governments spend considerable amount of money in maintaining embassies abroad. Yet embassies can generate some more revenue if they increase visa fees as in increasingly being done by Western countries. They could also reduce the administrative staff to reduce cost.
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Comment number 2.
At 14:06 19th Aug 2011, Kingsley O wrote:Embassies promote diplomatic relations with their host countries. They issues visas. They issue/renew passports of their citizens in the diaspora and protect their rights under international laws when needed. 1/2
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Comment number 3.
At 14:11 19th Aug 2011, Kingsley O wrote:Sadly, many Africans abroad cannot count on their embassies in times of need. They often charge fees on top of official fees. They give you the runaround. African Embassies need to take from the best practices and efficiency of developed countries. 2/2
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Comment number 4.
At 18:23 24th Aug 2011, Adekunle Adeniran wrote:Go to Washington DC, go to Caracas Venezuela, go to Moscow, go to Cologne, Germany, go to Atlanta, Georgia and you will see that Nigerian Embassies and Consulates are a disgrace. No furnitures that matched each other, poor attitudes with the so-called diplomats. What a waste of resources (financial and human).
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