From: Shem Ochuodho

Friends,

Some of you will be aware that H.E. the President recently addressed Kenyan Diaspora in Kampala. Below, we are delighted to share with you summary of his remarks in Kampala from the Presidential Press Unit (PSCU). We appreciate H.E.’s apparent prioritization of Diaspora.

We were much delighted to have been represented as Diaspora, especially KDA, by the very able Chair of AKIU (Association of Kenyans in Uganda), Nd Isaiah Kojwang’, who by virtue of his office, also dubs in as Co-Convenor of KDA. Thanks, Nd Koji for highlighting most of the key issues so dear to the Diaspora.

Attached is copy of the full remarks by Nd Isaiah, shared with permission.

Asante na kind regards,
Shem

——– Original message ——–
From: PSCU Kenya
Date: 19/02/2014 22:52 (GMT+03:00)
Subject: Kenyan Diaspora is the single largest asset outside the country, says the President

Kenyan Diaspora is the single largest asset outside the country, says the President
By Kobia Mwirichia

Kampala February 19, 2014 (PSCU) – The Government is developing instruments of engagement to bolster relationship with the Kenyan Diaspora to enable them invest in key projects in the country, President Uhuru Kenyatta has assured.

President Kenyatta said Kenyan Diaspora is considered the single biggest asset outside the country for the developmental roles they played through remittances.

The President spoke Wednesday night at a Kampala hotel when he met Kenyans living and working in Uganda. He said Kenyan Diaspora was the central pillar in the country’s foreign policy.

“You are the single largest contributor to the country’s development agenda through remittances and the face of Kenya in enhancing relations with the host countries. We as Government will continue to engage with you,” the President told Kenyan Diaspora.

The President, who is in Kampala for the Northern Corridor Integration projects 4th Tripartite Summit, said the instruments of engagement being put in place will enable the Diaspora to participate in Key projects in roads and the energy sectors.

On the issue of Kenyans living abroad participating in the electoral process, the President affirmed that Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) is putting in place mechanisms to register all Kenyans including those in the Diaspora to enable them participate in the 2017 general elections.

President Kenyatta said registration of voters will be a continuous exercise to ensure that all Kenyans on attainment of 18 years are registered as voters to enable them exercise their democratic rights to elect leaders of their choice.

He said the Government has made great strides in the last nine months in the removal of non-tariff barriers and other obstacles that increased cost of doing business in the country.

“We prioritised removal of delays in cargo clearance at the port of Mombasa and the challenges of transporting it along the northern corridor as part of our contribution to promoting regional trade,” President Kenyatta said.

The President allayed fears that the coming together of Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan in infrastructure development would hurt the East Africa integration.

He said all the five East African Community member States are committed to integration and are focused in the objective of uniting the region for prosperity.

“We want a one united East Africa as unity is strength. Through integration, EA will be a giant among countries of the world,” the President added.

The President said the four countries came together to address their common unique needs and their unity is therefore in any way meant to isolate Tanzania and Burundi or undermine the EAC integration process.

Fielding questions from the Kenyans, President Kenyatta assured IDPs in Uganda that the Government will facilitate them to return home and restart their lives.

He said, “The Ministry of devolution is working with the National Treasury to set aside funds in the next financial year to incorporate IDPS in Uganda in the resettlement programme”.

He thanked the government of Uganda for hosting Kenyans displaced by the 2007 post-election violence for the last six years.

The chairman of the Association of Kenyans Living in Uganda Mr. Isaac Kojwang thanked the President for pushing forward the EAC agenda and fast-tracking the integration agenda.

Ends…

On Monday, 3 March 2014, 13:27, Isaiah Kojwang wrote:

Dear Daktari,

Attached is the speech I made when Kenyans in Uganda hosted President Uhuru Kenyatta at the Kampala Serena Conference Centre.

I’m glad to say that The President and The Cabinet Secretary, Foreign affairs and International Trade took issues raised in the speech seriously and responded to most of them directly, and asking his (President’s) minders to make sure different issues belonging to various Ministries back home be raised with the relevant PSs and CSs. You have probably heard him already raising the IEBC and EAC issues which we presented, among several others. In Kampala, it became almost like a panel discussion with H.E responding to nearly every question raised and allowing his entourage to make comments where relevant.

We’ll talk soon.

Regards.

Isaiah Omondi Kojwang
Holiday Express Hotel
P.O Box 9923,Kampala, UGANDA
Tel.+256 312 262858/9, +256 414 253451/5
Fax.+256 414 252665
Cel.+256 772 669218.
Alt. email: ikojwang@holidayexpresshotel.com
Web: http://www.holidayexpresshotel.com/