Welcome message,
The Driving force that brought about the formation of Kenyan American Society is the need to unify and link Kenyan in Diaspora. It is my highest hope that the quality leadership, talent, and expertise that our Kenyans poses here in Diaspora that has immensely contributed to the growth of Kenyan communities and organizations we belong to, will be harnessed through KAS to a much higher purpose – together as one.
It is undeniable that countries like China, India, and South Africa have developed different approaches for tapping into the expertise and other resources of their Diasporas to meet their development goals and achieve global competitiveness. These countries are leading the way in turning the despair of brain drain into brain exchange and brain gain in different ways.
Since Traditional, ethnical and cultural links is instrumental in facilitating integration into the socio economic and political advancement, KAS has already joined hands with the willing leaders of our communities, churches, other organizations and individuals within Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York and Connecticut.
Hopefully, this robust private-public framework will facilitate productive linkages between Kenyan academics, researchers, artists, and investors at home and in the Diaspora will emerge to consolidate the political and economic changes taking place in Kenya, as has been the case elsewhere .I cordially invite you to make use of this website as it is designed to offer you quick information about Kenyan American Society, other relevant information to and a platform of exchanging ideas.
With best regards,
Eng. C.J. Kodi
President – Kenyan American Society.
TO DONATE IN SUPPORTING OUR MISSION AND OBJECTIVES OR APPLYING FOR MEMBERSHIP OR RESERVE FOR AN UPCOMING EVENT with KAS, please donate through our paypal account by clicking the link here
DO NOT FORGET TO SPECIFY THE PURPOSE WHILE MAKING YOUR DONATION
The Government of Kenya is presently considering policies which would “address the needs of the Kenyan Diaspora in both countries of residence as well as effectively facilitating their involvement in the social, political, and economic affairs of the country.” Among others, this policies includes; the issues of dual citizenship, the right to vote, the right to be represented and the provision of investment incentives such as those that have benefitted India, Israel and China.
How can Kenyan in Diaspora capture the opportunity created by their link to the motherlnad and flourish ?
It is through the back drop of how other countries have utilized their citizens in diaspora that Kenya American Society Inc, (KAS) was formed to steer a way forward in creating a forum that address the various ways and areas in which the Kenyan government could address the mentioned disparities by, first of all, adjusting its own structural policy area that will allow a symbiotic relationship between Kenya and its Diaspora to flourish.
Will KAS be what we have been waiting for ?
KAS’ goal is to be a coalition, seeking to engage the Kenya Government in a strategic, organized manner that will yield measurable and beneficial results for the Diaspora on a variety of fronts. KAS believes that the Kenyan Diaspora can achieve comparable success as other Diaspora’s and has accordingly set its mission to strengthen the Diaspora and its linkage with Kenya by harnessing individual and collective talent, expertise and resources to influence social, economic and political advancement in Kenya. The body shall achieve this objective through:
§ Building information resource-sharing structures;
§ Promoting unity, ethnic understanding, cooperation and networking among Kenyans in the Diaspora;
§ Providing policy input and guidance to government;
§ Acting as a linkage between the Kenyan, US governments and society.
§ Facilitating business and investment by Kenyans in the Diaspora into Kenya’s economy
§ Raising and receiving funds to support and advance the organization’s mission
It is our view - shared by many that after such a step, the various other stakeholders can be approached to follow suit in both Kenya and countries where Kenyans are residing. Such stakeholders include: Representatives of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation from countries of settlement;- World bank and IMF; Non-governmental organizations; Kenyan missions abroad; Investment promotion agencies; Corporations and other Private and Public companies with an interest in Kenya; Donors and Foundations; Kenyan Diaspora - individuals, organizations and professionals and The Kenyan public.
KAS’ membership is set to comprise individuals and organizations pursuing the above agenda through a variety of channels including research and academia, networking, public-private partnerships, investment and ownership, philanthropy, ethnic harmony and post-conflict understanding. In accordance with KAS’ Articles of Incorporations, the Organization shall have full membership open to all Kenyan nationals or Kenyan – American or married to a Kenyan national or otherwise qualifies for Kenyan Citizenship under the constitution of the republic of Kenya, who commits them to abide by this Articles of Incorporations and subscribe to its mission statement. In a spirit good will, KAS does accept associate / Honorary membership which is open to all persons, who, not being Kenyans or of Kenyan Descent and Non – residents under the constitution of the republic of Kenya, are friends of Kenya and are interested in the promotion of the objectives and purposes of this organization as outlined in the articles of the organization and promise to abide as Individuals, corporations, proprietorships, associations, partnerships, community organization and clubs. Such members shall not be eligible to contest or vote for an elected office.
Presently KAS is officiated by an Executive Board which is aggressively streamlining its coalition as well as working on methods and processes of recruiting its membership as these initial stages of its existence.
Are Kenyans in Diaspora getting anything in return from their government?
As mentioned before, currently, the Kenyan economy has benefited from its members in Diaspora through remittances and promotion of Kenya’s economic development abroad even though their role in the development of the country is not widely acknowledged. Their giving back to Kenya is out of solidarity and obligation; in most cases as individuals and groups acting on their own initiative, with their own resources to support development in Kenya. This is done through structures in form of associations, charitable organizations, investment groups, NGO’s, political parties, health centers, education, cultural clubs, virtual networks, etc. The Diaspora renders concrete developmental changes but these remain unheralded, unappreciated and without structural support. Hence more is needed to facilitate the participation of the Kenyan Diaspora in the social, economic and political arena by the Government of Kenya designing and implementing a Diaspora-focused policy that would address the needs of the Kenyan Diaspora in both countries of residence as well as effectively facilitate their involvement in the social, political, and economic affairs of the country.
On the other hand, with approximately two million Kenyans working and living abroad continue to grow steadily; the Diaspora seems not to be aware of its unique strengths and added value in the area of development. It is disappointing to see that this unique strengths and added value of the Kenyan Diaspora has until to date has not been realized and effectively used. There is also a general lack of awareness, acknowledgement and recognition from the Kenyan Government and the public in general of on the role the Kenyan Diaspora has been playing in the development of their homeland at different levels. Therefore, it is our wish that the Kenyan government should start to acquaint itself and the Kenyan public with the depth, variety and achievements of the Kenyan Diaspora, as well as sensitizing them of their problems and their expectations from their homeland. So far, the Kenyan Diaspora contributes to development in various ways including: Building business networks and creating social capital; Through Foreign Direct Investment (FDI); Sending money to friends and relatives in their countries of origin – commonly known as Remittances; Getting involved in political processes; Market development for products from Kenya; Promoting tourism and Kenyan culture; Science and Technology transfer; Positive influence and intangible knowledge transfer and; Philanthropy among others.
However, it is clear that the contribution by the Kenyan Diaspora to development has been fraught with a host of obstacles which in many ways have adversely affected the volume and quality of contribution to Kenya. Such obstacles range from lack of awareness, lack of clear and supportive policies on both Kenya and countries of settlement; lack of a conducive environment to motivate more tangible contributions by the Diaspora; high money transfer costs; a chronic lack of information; lack of formal structures; lack of concrete networks with regular institutions, etc.