KDRTV News Washington DC- Kenyan former President Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta has bagged a coveted international peace award by promoting democratic gains in Africa by handing over power peacefully in the last Kenyan presidential elections of 2022.
The Award was presented by Watch Democracy Grow an International organization that promotes Democracy across the globe and the nominees are selected by competent board members who have representatives throughout the World.
The Board and its representatives participate in Election monitoring during and before the election period and also engage civil society groups, and political parties in different Countries in choosing the best candidate for the coveted Award.
The well-attended Trade Expo was organized by One Voice Consortium an African Diaspora think tank group bringing together various international organizations which is headquartered in Columbus Ohio in the U.S.
The Diaspora OVC was established in 2018 as Global Diaspora Development Foundation, a non-profit umbrella organization bringing together over 100 diaspora-based institutions from multiple socio-economic sectors.
The organization’s founding president is Dr. Robert Chiuri a strategy consultant in manufacturing quality management systems and standards certification who also leads the Global Standards Resource Institute. Dr. Jacob Ongaki a Finance and Accounting Professor at Colorado Mesa State University is the current first VP and Dr. Peter Ndiang’ui, Professor of Education at Florida Gulf Coast University is the Executive Director.
The vision and mission of Diaspora OVC is to bring together organizations together to uplift lifestyles and enhance the livelihood of the diaspora communities and citizens in their countries of origin. The role of the organization is to promote African immigrant businesses and professionals in the United States, Europe, the Far East, Australia, and also in Africa
The Kenyan Parliament sent a 12-member delegation led by Hon. Martha Wangari the Member of Parliament of Gilgil Nakuru County who lauded the organizers’ top-notch organization’s skill set and promised to borrow a leaf and lead from professionals in the Diaspora to help in developing Kenya’s ICT infrastructure and public relations in regard to the governance structure in order to improve quality and efficiency in service delivery.
The members of Parliament participated in various Group panel discussions ranging from Agriculture, Internal Security, Foreign Affairs, ICT, Infrastructure, Business, and trade and how the Diaspora can be an engine that spurs growth and development in Kenya and the East and African Region rather than the remittances they send to Africa.
They also promised to expedite bills from Diaspora groups that will not only promote the growth of the East African Economy but also on promotion of security in the Region.
The Expo was officially opened by the Kenyan Ambassador to the U.S. Lazarus Amayo and a Keynote speech was given by Mr. Bennet Harman Representing the Office of United States Trade Representative to Africa.
The Expo explored many opportunities for the African Continent and how it can link businesses and markets to the United States of America and beyond. Presenters at the Expo included the World Bank Group, which gave an economic projection of Africa and which areas the continent can improve to have sustainable economic growth.
During a panel discussion presented by KDRTV News, the Governor of Kisumu County Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o while giving his contribution to the food security session, said that Agriculture has the potential to turn around the continent’s food security to be self-reliant and the excess can be exported to other continents because it has an abundance of arable land which is under-utilized and the lack of new technology which is efficient in mass production of agricultural produce.
President Uhuru Kenyatta Award Pic Courtesy KDRTV News.
After President Barrack Obama’s inspirational speech in 2015, on the emphasis on future progress depending on democracy and strong institutions, the Watch Democracy Grow organization was formed to try and advocate for democratic practices in those countries which are still struggling along that path, which are mostly found in Africa, South America, and in Asia.
In his speech after presenting the award, Dr. Lawrence Gland of Watch Democracy Grow lauded the peaceful transition of power after the Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission declared Dr. William Samoei Ruto as the duly elected President in the contested election which the Supreme Court of Kenya dismissed a battery of petitions from the opposition parties to nullify the election which they believed was not free and fair based on the evidence they presented in court.
The Award was received by Ambassador Ann Wanjohi on behalf of the Kenyan Permanent Secretary for Diaspora Affairs Ms. Roselene Njogu and graced by Kenyan Members of Parliament and the Kenyan Consul General of Los Angeles Ambassador Ted Kwaka.
The Award will be presented to President Uhuru Kenyatta in Nairobi.
Various Investors who attended the Expo include Optiven Limited, AMG group Realtors, Waya Banking Group, KNCCI, GeoNet, African Chamber of Commerce, GeoSafari, Creative Brands, GSR(Global Standards Resource), Afrthrive, African Welfare Association, and the Web Strategic Communications, and the Soil Merchants limited who showcased their products to the attendees during the 3-day event that was held at the Hilton Hotel in Washington DC.
There were over 12 awards for the best category and runners-up that were won by various participating organizations and individuals based on set criteria of best practices, innovativeness, and impact on the diaspora community. In addition, the OVC President Choice award was given to individuals or entities that had significant efforts and dedication to the improvement of the diaspora.
