Reading the Global Economic Prospects released by the World Bank on Sub-Saharan Africa I could only visualize the better economic days of Siaya County and Kenya as these 1950 Albert Einstein beautifully words occupied my mind: “Knowledge must continually be renewed by ceaseless effort, if it is not to be lost. It resembles a statue of marble which stands in the desert and is continually threatened with burial by the shifting sand. The hands of service must ever be at work, in order that the marble to continue to lastingly shine in the sun. To these serving hands mine shall also belong.” Reading the report and remembering these inspiring words made my hands of service go back to work to highlight the points that I picked up from report, my reflections, my dream and my call to Siaya residents and Kenyans.
The case for Diaspora 2012 candidates can well be summarized by the growth rates of several African countries from the World Bank report released. The report shows the northern neighbor of Kenya, Ethiopia from 2008 – 2011 to have grown Gross Domestic Product, GDP, by 10.8%, 8.8%, 10.1%, 7.7%, a total growth of 37.4%. Kenya on the other hand in the four years from 2008 to 2011 grew GDP by 1.6%, 2.6%, 5.6%, 4.3% a total of 14.1%. Other countries that showed great growth rates during 2008 – 2011 were as follows: Rwanda 11.2%, 4.1%, 7.5%, 8.8% a total of 31.6%; Uganda 8.7%, 7.2%, 6.4%, 6.3% a total of 28.6%; Tanzania 7.4%, 6.0%, 7.0%, 6.4% a total of 26.8%; Nigeria 6.0%, 7.0%, 7.8%, 7.0% in total 27.8%; Malawi 8.6%, 7.6%, 6.7%, 5.6% in total 28.5% and Ghana 8.4%, 4.7%, 6.6%, 13.6% in total 33.3%. We presented this to a few Kenyan investors, entrepreneurs and prospective candidates for elections this year and got the following remarks....
“I could only manage a 7 day plan. I landed on the 24th December and will leave on the 1st January and be in Kenya on the 2nd at exactly 2 pm,” says David Ikanyi who has in the last 2 years transformed himself to a Kenyan businessman. He today is developing his businesses in Kenya at a very fast pace. After living in the U.S. for two decades, Ikanyi decided it was time to go develop his next phase of life in Kenya. Since then he has started businesses in real estate, farming and education. “I’m in the process of opening a school next year,” he says. As the elections start to unfold I discussed with Ikanyi the way he sees Kenya today, the future, the opportunities in Kenya and the role Diaspora can play. “If elections were held today the two people who would be in the run-off are Raila and Uhuru,” he made his observation. He also noted, “The Kenyans abroad who want to become legislators and serve Kenya through posts created in the new constitution can be easily elected.”
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Doubles Xpress has opened a new money transfer location on Chandler Street, Worcester city to enable Kenyans investing in various projects in Kenya and transferring money to loved one get the best services and best value for their money. Founder Ben who is also introducing a new money transfer system that he says offers the cheapest rates during the launch noted, “If you can save even as little as $2 dollars in the transfer of money costs then you’ll have benefitted. $2 saved could mean sending more money to Kenya for an extra packet of “Unga” especially during this time when prices of food products in Kenya continue to rise.” ...
The vision 2030 was first unveiled to Kenyans attending an Atlanta Disapora Conference held in in March 2007 at Kennesaw State. Over 1,000 Kenyans in attendance would see pillars and specifically the economic advancement projecting a growth rate of 10%. This time around Kenyan business people and professionals from Atlanta attended the Diaspora Conference with the Vision 2030 taking center stage. Frank Kioko says he has played his part. After the Atlanta conference he would take the initiative of helping Kenyans open bank accounts in Kenya through Equity bank. The Diaspora Kenyans have opened accounts and made deposits in these accounts.
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Lwanga, a father of two lovely daughters has always wanted to visit Kenya with his young daughters and still be able to transact business and have some personal time. Told of Cenralized Options baby sitter service he said, “This is a great idea. At least I can employ a professional baby sitter just like I do here when the need arises. I will get to study their services and hopefully next year when I visit I will use this service.” ...
With determination to attract investors and eager American companies ready to accord them audience, Kenyan delegates to the US-Africa business summit in Washington, D.C have hit the ground running to showcase investable projects back home. The two-day summit organized by the United States Corporate Council on Africa has brought together American companies and African technocrats to brainstorm on investment opportunities in the continent.
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Kenya is poised to reap maximum benefits from common infrastructure initiatives currently being pursued under the COMESA/SADC/EAC tripartite, Transport permanent Secretary, Dr Cyrus Njiru has said. For one, Kenya has set her sights under Vision 2030 to achieve significant industrialization and become a middle-income nation within the next two decades.
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“Let’s keep our eye on the finish line. Let us not get distracted by any negative press coverage as noted here today. The vision is about making sure every Kenyan get’s an education, we grow the economy and preserve the environment as we honor Professor Wangari Maathai.” Dr. Edward Sambili the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Planning National Development and Vision 2030 delivered closing argument of the Kenya Diaspora Conference 2011 in what from our perspective was one of the best speeches. ...
“The railway from Mombasa to Kisumu does not operate. How do you hope to achieve this new project if you can’t get the Mombasa – Kisumu right?” The question was put forward to Dr. Engineer Cyrus Njiru the Permanent Secretary of Ministry of transport. The P.S whose mere passion may lead this project to take of the ground did not miss a heart beat as he explained in details of the Mombasa to Kisumu railway position as off today. He went ahead and gave dates and the conditions that have been set that will see this corridor brought back to efficiency and quality it was in the 70’s and even make it better. He noted that it was because he was here to talk of the LAPSSET project that this was not featured.
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