NAIROBI – The Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA), will from December 19 to 21, host the 5th edition of the Kenya Diaspora Homecoming Convention, the country’s premier diaspora event.
The 3-day Convention, to be held at the Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, is set to bring together leading diaspora and local captains of industry to discuss ‘Big 4’ Agenda, investment, skills, knowhow and governance.
The theme for this year’s convention is“Knowledge Management & Youth Engagement – Mashinani.”
Building on the success of past events, this year’s convention will focus on creating a platform for businesses, exporters, professionals, researchers, and youth to collaborate, explore, inspire and get inspiration from the diaspora community and each other.
Speaking about the event, KDA Global Chair Dr. Shem Ochuodho said that the event has grown over the past 5 years, with notable diaspora remittance into the country.
“When we first convened in 2014, the inflows stood at KSh100 billion a year, and one of the stated goals was to redouble it in five years. That this target has been surpassed confirms commitment, loyalty, emotional attachment and faith diaspora have in the motherland. They deserve reciprocation.
“The main goal of the Convention is to bring together the diaspora community to be part of Kenya’s economic, cultural and ideological change in face of the historic handshake moment. While we focus on investments in the country, it is key to appreciate the unique opportunities the youth bulge and devolution create,” said Dr. Shem Ochuodho.
500 participants
The Convention will feature over 500 participants, among them eminent diaspora and representatives from government (legislature, judiciary, and executive – both at national and county levels), private corporates (local as well as multinational), media, academia, civil society and development partners.
It creates a platform to facilitate interaction between the diaspora and other stakeholders, to hasten their participation in national socio-economic development for mutual benefit. It will be a consultative event whose objectives include awareness creation amongst Kenyans in the diaspora on investment opportunities (both at national and county levels), in line with government plans and policies (including the National Diaspora Policy and Vision 2030).
Over the past 5 years, the convention has been able to bring together the diaspora community to be part of Kenya’s economic, cultural and ideological change.