“Remittances to Kenya hit record, but diaspora struggles to find meaningful investments,” an article by Mshale in the U.S was part of the discussion by Diaspora Kenyans Frank Mutura of Raleigh, NC, Noah Wangai of Moreno Valley, CA, and Sam Kabuki of Lakewood, CA, when visiting Diaspora University Town (DUT) in Voi. The Diaspora Kenyans were challenged to turn their remittances into projects like DUT.
The Diaspora Kenyans, Frank, Noah, and Sam, were welcomed to Voi by the DUT Project Director, Dan Kamau, who is a former Diaspora Kenyan from Worcester, MA; Benjamin Mwandaa, the Vice Chairman of the Diaspora University Trust; Ronald Mwangombe of DUT and Ndara B Community building materials, Barnabas Mwandembo of DUT design-build, and other DUT staff.
Dan, addressing the visitors from the Diaspora and the DUT team, noted that the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) website's first-9-month remittance report shows that Diaspora Kenyans remitted $3.7 billion. This is about Ksh 483 billion. The projection is that remittances in 2025 will exceed $5 billion, equivalent to about Ksh 650 billion. He said DUT provides meaningful investments for the Diaspora.
Frank, who has worked on road construction in North Carolina, said it is time for Diaspora Kenyans to turn their remittances into projects. He noted that the DUT project is ready to accept Diaspora funds. Noah and Sam, who are part of DUT, agreed with Frank. Sam said he plans to establish an MSME in DUT to produce medical products as part of his investment plan.
The consensus was that the time for Diaspora Kenyans to achieve new headline stories is now. DUT is working on the next headline that will read as follows: “Diaspora University Town construction starts and creates 4,000 jobs.”
Noah Wangai, a former CPA (K) accountant in Kenya and resident of Moreno Valley, CA, was pleased to see DUT Credit Ltd's progress. Dan stated that DUT Credit Ltd has the opportunity to grow into a second- or first-tier bank once the DUT project is completed. A plan for Diaspora Kenyans to participate in will be implemented in 2026.
Frank, who studied at Mangu High School in the early 60’s, where he met the Late Prof. Raphael Njoroge, is also calling the Mangu High alums to join the project. He wants the former students to advance the achievement of Diaspora University, which was started by the former Mangu High School headmaster (1970 – 1975).
Dan Kamau, who studied at Kanunga High School, also noted that the late Prof. Njoroge served as the headmaster of Kanunga High School before transferring to Mangu High School. He says the Kanunga High School Alumni are also joining, as the Kenyatta University students whom the late Professor taught.
The Diaspora Kenyans were happy to see the offices and land where the Daktari Biotechnology Ltd medicine and vaccine plant will be built. The medicine and vaccine plant is spearheaded by Dr. Wilson Endege of Boston, MA, and Dr. Benson Edagwa of Omaha, NE. They are asking Diaspora Kenyans to join the scientists to achieve the plant.
