NAIROBI, Kenya: “Among the rare acts that reminisced his humility were dropping
the term ‘Mtukufu’ for President, and resisting attempt to have his portrait on the
currency”.
It was with utmost sorrow and grief to learn of the passing of President Mwai Kibaki. He
was an astute politician, visionary, charming, intelligent, magnanimous and
unassuming. He leaves behind a rich legacy, dotted with many superlatives and firsts,
among them a transformative constitution, Kenya’s first long-term vision, unleashed
development potential, free-primary education, 1st class Thika Superhighway,
economic turn-around, budget discipline, tech-revolution (MPesa), diaspora
enfranchising, etc.
The Kenya Diaspora Alliance (KDA) joins the government, family and the rest of
Kenyans – at home and abroad, to mourn the passing of this great statesman. Kenyans
shall fondly remember him for a long time to come. He was doubtlessly the longest
serving elected leader, donning many political hats at different levels for 50 years, a
clear testimony to the confidence Kenyans had in him. Having served as a Member of
Parliament at the constituency, grassroots level and rising through the ranks to the top
as Vice President and eventually the President was no mean feat. His great leadership
and wisdom saw Kenya shine in the East African region, Africa and indeed in the eyes
of the rest of the world.
KDA and Kenyan Citizens in the Diaspora, and their offs-prings, will forever be grateful
to President Kibaki for steering the country through the writing and eventual
promulgation of the new Constitution in 2010, which among other very progressive
provisions, enshrined the right to Dual Citizenship. Indeed, diaspora enfranchisement
has seen remittances back home rise ten-fold from KSh 30 Billion in 2010 to over KSh
300 Billion in 2020, a trend that is only set to grow even more exponentially with the many emerging Diaspora centric investment products and vehicles in the Kenyan
market to facilitate and incentivize remittances.
Most importantly, the 2010 Constitution ushered in a new era for Diaspora to exercise
their voting and representation rights which has seen Kenyans abroad register as
voters and exercise their right to vote, a fundamental basic right of all Kenyan citizens,
regardless of their station in life.
In his honour, we urge the government, through IEBC, to hasten and do more to
facilitate the registration, representation and voting of Kenyans in the Diaspora. This
should include creation of a Diaspora County and constituencies during the anticipated
delimitation and review of electoral boundaries.
Fare thee well great leader and true statesman: you will surely be missed! May the
good Lord comfort the family, friends, relatives and indeed all Kenyans that you served
with dedication and distinction.
Sincerely,
Dr. Shem Ochuodho
KDA Global Chairman
And Africa Diaspora Alliance (AfDA USA Inc) President
