Kenya Diaspora Conference

On 28th July 2012, at Church House, Westminster, DMA in conjunction with the High Commission of Kenya to the UK and Kenya Commercial Bank, hosted the Kenya Diaspora Conference 2012. 

This high profile event was attended by well over 500 delegates, including prominent members of the UK's Kenyan Diaspora; senior ministers from the Government of Kenya; and Kenyan stakeholders from both the public and private sectors. The full day event was brought to a close by HE Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya, who congratulated the forum on the day's activities and unveiled a Diaspora bank account product on behalf of Kenya Commercial Bank. 

The day began with Opening Remarks from Mr Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, Developing Markets Associates (DMA); Dr Martin Oduor-Otieno, Chief Executive, KCB Group; Sam Ochieng, prominent member from the Diaspora; and HE Mr Ephraim Ngare, Kenya High Commissioner to the United Kingdom; and an Official Opening Address was given by Hon Amb Professor Samuel Ongeri, Minister for Foreign Affairs. There then followed sessions on Rolling out the Diaspora Policy, Kenya's Economic Outlook and Opportunities, Investing in Real Estate, Cost Effective Finance, and a discussion with a specially selected Diaspora Panel. During these sessions presentations were given by Mr Thuita Mwangi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Mrs Mary Kimonye, Chief Executive, Brand Kenya Board; Mr Mugo Kibati, Director General, Kenya Vision 2030; Mr Nigel Rowley, Managing Director, Medina Palms; Mr Paul Kukubo, Chief Executive, Kenya ICT Board; Mr Felix Onyango, Chief Executive, Dominion Valuers; Mr Leon Isaacs, Managing Director, International Association of Money Transfer Networks; Dr Martin Oduor-Otieno, Chief Executive, KCB Group; and Prof Njuguna Ndung’u, Governor, Central Bank of Kenya, amongst others. 

Following the President's Closing Remarks, a Gala Diner was held which was attended by the President himself.

Programme
8.00 am – 9.30 am
Registration and Refreshments

9.30 am – 9.45 am
Welcome Addresses and Opening Remarks
• Mr Atam Sandhu, Chief Executive, Developing Markets Associates
• Sam Ochieng, Prominent member from the Diaspora
• Dr Martin Oduor-Otieno, Chief Executive, KCB Group
• HE Mr Ephraim Ngare, Kenya High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Official Opening
• Hon Amb Professor Samuel Ongeri, Minister for Foreign Affairs

9.45 am – 11.30 am
Session 1: Information Sharing
Rolling out the Diaspora Policy
Session Chair: Ms. Jackline Yonga, Minister/Deputy High Commissioner, London
• Mr Thuita Mwangi, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Mr Ahmed Isaack Hassan, Chairman, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission
Q and A

11.30 am – 12.00 pm
Refreshments

12.00 pm – 1.30 pm
Session 2: Economic Outlook and Opportunity
Session Chair: Johnston Weru, Director, Department of Trade and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
•Mr Julius Korir, Acting Managing Director, Kenya Investment Authority
• Mrs Mary Kimonye, Chief Executive, Brand Kenya Board
• Mr Mugo Kibati, Director General, Kenya Vision 2030
• Mr Manu Chandaria, Chairman, Comcraft Group of Companies. Success Story of Diaspora Investments (the case of Indian Diaspora)
• Mr Nigel Rowley, Managing Director, Medina Palms
Q and A

1.30 pm – 2.30 pm
NETWORKING LUNCH

2.30 pm – 4.00 pm
Session 3: Potential Investment Opportunities
Investing in the Real Estate, Property and Housing
Sector in Kenya and PPP
Session Chair: Prof. Njuguna Ndung’u, Governor, Central Bank of Kenya
• Hon Soita Shitanda, Minister for Housing
• Tatu City
• Mr Paul Kukubo, Chief Executive, Kenya ICT Board
• Mr Samuel Njoroge
• Mr Felix Onyango, Chief Executive, Dominion Valuers
Q and A

4.00 pm – 4.30 pm
Refreshment Break

4.30 pm – 5.30 pm
Session 4: Cost Effective Finance
Session Chair: Mrs Esther Koimett, Investment Secretary, Ministry of Finance
• Mr Leon Isaacs, Managing Director, International Association of Money Transfer Networks
• Prof Njuguna Ndung’u, Governor, Central Bank of Kenya
• Dr Martin Oduor-Otieno, Chief Executive, KCB Group
• Eric Guichard, Chief Executive, Homestrings
Q and A

5.30 pm – 6.00 pm
Diaspora Panel
• Ms Flora Mutuku, Advocate (Kenya); MA Law & Diplomacy
• Dr Jane Ngarari, PhD, University of Birmingham
• Mr Moses Langat, PhD, University of Surrey
• Ms Becky Karanja, President, Kenya UK Sacco (KENUKS)

6.45 pm – 9.00pm
GALA DINNER
Hosted by KCB Group
Chief Guest
• His Excellency President Mwai Kibaki
Unveiling the KCB Group Diaspora Proposition
• Dr Martin Oduor-Otieno, Chief Executive, KCB Group
• Hon Amb Professor Samuel Ongeri, Minister for Foreign Affairs

9.00pm
Final Vote of Thanks