1. From a Great Past to a Greater Future The Kenyan Diaspora: Emerging Issues & Challenges Sam Ochieng SACOMA

2. From a Great Past to a Greater Future O VERVIEW Identify members of the Kenyan Diaspora; Sensitise them to the need for more structured and collective homeland development initiatives; Mobilise the Kenyan Diaspora into collective, strategic action for home development. 2

3. From a Great Past to a Greater Future D ATABASE : T HE S KILLS B ANK  Lack of hard data on the number of Kenyans making up the Diaspora in UK.  No central database of professional Kenyans in the Diaspora – so no information on skills, knowledge and experiences/expertise.  Urgent need for Skills Bank and development of this MUST be driven by the Diaspora itself, using existing networks to identify Kenyans with an interest in homeland development.  Once the database is developed and populated, work can begin on mobilising the Diaspora into professional networks and associations. 3

4. From a Great Past to a Greater Future M OBILISING THE K ENYAN D IASPORA  We have some data on homeland development activities of the Kenyan Diaspora: ◦ Remittances to benefit immediate and extended family; ◦ Remittances for local development projects; ◦ Kenyan-led civil society organisations; ◦ The recently formed UK-Kenya SACCO ◦ Individual philanthropists.  Nonetheless efforts are largely fragmented, reducing their potential impact.  Real need to develop a UK-wide collective way of working..

5. From a Great Past to a Greater Future M OBILISATION : H OMETOWN A SSOCIATIONS Some Diaspora communities have had great success in development activities through a collective, strategic approach. These collectives are often called “Hometown” Associations (HTAs), and comprise Diaspora that derive from the same area of home counties. HTAs are often recognised by both home and receiving countries, and their initiatives are supported at government level. In the immediate term, there is need to mobilise Kenyans to form HTAs. 5

6. From a Great Past to a Greater Future A CHIEVEMENTS : K ENYA UK SACCO Kenya UK Savings and Credit Society (SACCO) – known as Kenuks - was launched. A vehicle for Kenyans to save, access loans and contribute to homeland development projects. Plans in the pipeline includes affordable housing, businesses, and agricultural projects. More later by the Kenuks Chair..

7. From a Great Past to a Greater Future Challenges Dubious family, friends and legal experts Increased participation and visibility in the UK social & Economic life. working as a catalyst to further the cause of economic and cultural cooperation between Kenya and the UK Active involvement in the political life of our country – Elections. Broadening and deepening the ties with Kenya in various fields

8. From a Great Past to a Greater Future 8