The Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA) announces the 4 Annual Diaspora Homecoming Convention to take place in Nairobi from December 14-16, 2016.
Kenyans who are domiciled in Europe, United States, Canada (the Americas), Australia, the Middle East, Africa and Asia, among others, will congregate in Nairobi to deliberate on a wide range of important national and global issues.
The Convention shall engage local social, political and economic actors on areas of mutual interest to foster development in Kenya, strengthen bilateral/multilateral relations and democratic growth, and to promote the development credentials of Kenya. Kenyans abroad believe that they are key stakeholders in Kenya’s socio-economic welfare, but there is increasing concern among them of the apparent poor engagements with policy makers on various matters of mutual interest. The Kenyan Diaspora also believe that the Kenyan government (including devolved structures) and the corporate sector should open up clear and well defined engagement strategies to harness the various academic and professional skills possessed by the country’s non-resident professionals for the common good.
- Diasporians will share their experience with the young generation and revisit questions often asked such as; How can we contribute to the development of Kenya and the Kenyan Diaspora?
- What is the role of Diaspora within the framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), etc?
This will be the largest gathering of Diaspora, ever organized by and for Diaspora.
Invited Keynote Speakers
Among confirmed Key Speakers to grace the occasion is the Speaker of the Senate, Hon. Sen. David Ekwe Ethuro, MP, EGH, the Africa Union (AU’s) Vice Chairperson, H.E. Erastus Mwencha, Founding Chair, East Africa Business Council, Dr Manu Chandaria, OBE, 3 Excellency Governors (Nairobi, Migori and Machakos), Country Director, VSO-Kenya, Dr Heinz Bongartz, Resident Representative, Friedrich Ebert Foundation (FES), and Prof Gituro Wainaina, Ag. CEO, Vision 2030 Secretariat. Other invited Key Guests include Amb Dennis Awori, Chairman Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Mr Kipruto Kittony, National Chairman of the Chamber/KNCCI, Principal Secretary, Foreign Affairs, Amb (Dr) Monica Juma, Chairperson, Council of Governors, H.E. Peter Munya, who is also the Governor of Meru County, Excellency Governors, Excellency Ambassador of the Netherlands in Kenya, Chairperson, Parliamentary Committee on Defence and Foreign Relations, Hon Ndungu Gethenji, MP, Resident Representative, Hanns Seidel Foundation, Former Foreign Affairs Assistant Minister, Hon Richard Onyonka, MP, Regional Representative, IOM, Chairpersons and/or CEOs of Key State Agencies and Independent Commissions, including IEBC, CIC,
KenInvest, BrandKenya, KIPPRA, KRA, HELB, PPP Unit, Youth Development Fund, Huduma Centres, etc, Chairperson, Donor Group on Elections, World Bank, UNDP & USAid Representatives, scholars/academic, civil societies, and Diaspora youth/women representatives, among others.
Former Rangwe Member of Parliament Dr. Shem Ochuodho who is KDA’s Global Chairperson, and Dr Bernard Marasa (President, KDA USA), who is also Co-Chairperson of the Global Planning Committee (GPC), will play the Key Hosts.
Thematic Areas
During the Convention, the Diasporians and Stakeholders will discuss, among other key thematic issues:
- Youth, Women, Disabled Empowerment, Entrepreneurship and Employment (3’Es)
- Diaspora Representation & Voting in 2017 and beyond
Registration for the Conference is FREE at kdhc.co.ke/about-the-conference.html
