The Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA), is set to host the 6th edition of the Kenya Diaspora Homecoming Convention (KDHC), the country’s premier diaspora event from 17th-19th December at the Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi.
Building on the success of past events, this year’s convention will revolve around the theme of “Diaspora and Big 4 Agenda” with a focus on the key areas of manufacturing, universal health, food security and affordable housing.
The Convention will feature 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).
The convention comes at a time that Kenya’s diaspora remittances as per Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) data stands at Sh215.6 billion in the nine months to September 2019, an increase of 4.4 percent from the same period in 2018.
Speaking about the event, Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA)’s Global Chair Dr. Shem Ochuodho said that the event has grown over the past 6 years, with notable diaspora remittance into the country to Ksh. 250Billion.
“The fact that the diaspora has remitted over 200B into the economy confirms commitment, loyalty, emotional attachment and faith that the diaspora community has in the motherland.
“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. “he added.
“… While we focus on investments in the country, it is key to discuss on ways that the diaspora can contribute towards the President’s 4 agendas,” said Dr. Shem Ochuodho.
