What has followed has been a different wave of Kenyans leaving the country for a variety of reasons, some political, economic and cultural refugees, however, many Kenyans have moved in pursuit of higher education and professional training. During the university riot days many families and villages that could afford to sent their children to study out in the West.

Currently, Kenyans are seeking oversees education as an alternative to Kenyan education. With economic instability the trend has been for these students not to return home. In his paper, "Kenya- What Role for Diaspora in Development ", Kenneth Okoth gives a more detailed analysis on the recent trends of the Kenyan Diaspora.

The recent past has seen discussion by politicians, and citizens alike on the investment opportunities and capabilities afforded by the Diaspora. Kenya Imagine's Peter Ndiangui has written an extensive report on "harnessing the Diaspora's energy for Kenya ."

A few days ago I had an interview with the President of the Delaware Kenya Association (Delka), Erastus Mong'are on the role of the Diaspora and initiatives of the association he heads. Here, we find a different kind of investment.

Kenya Imagine: The Kenyan government and other stakeholders have began tapping into the Kenyan Diaspora this election. Why do you think this is so? Do you suppose that this energy is channeled right or misplaced?

Delka: It is definitely political. There is little genuine interest in the needs of the Diaspora since we are not allowed dual citizenship and cannot vote. They only want our money and votes (for those who can vote). It is the same trend even in Kenya, politicians only interact with wananchi during elections.

However, the Diaspora should take charge since we know better than that. We can be a movement for change. There is no need to organise a conference where we discuss the problems facing Kenya. Instead, since we are well-versed with issues facing our country, we should be actively engaging in solving them.

Kenya Imagine: While we make our home in the Diaspora and politic on how the country should be run, thousands, even millions of Kenyans endure impoverished lives. What is our responsibilty? Do we even have a responsibility?

Delka: Yes, we have a responsibility. In the spirit of making the lives of our individual families better, we must realize that an impoverished community will rob our families independent happiness. I urge those who can to visit home as often as they can so that they can keep in touch with the reality of the Kenyan environment. This is what motivated me to be as involved as I am.

Kenya Imagine: What does the Delaware Kenya Association hope to achieve? In detail can you talk about some of the projects your association has embarked on?

Delka: In many rural communities, even with free education, many children, especially girls, have to stay at home and do household chores. With water scarcity, these young children have to walk for miles several times a day to fetch water for the whole family at the expense of their education. In November last year, members of Delka donated money to begin a water project that would benefit the communities in Kajiado and Kisii. The boreholes and water pumps will be completed in June bringing water for household use closer to the homestead.

It is important too for local governments to support initiaves such as ours, not only financially when they can, but also through volunteer technical support such as water surveyors and engineers in water projects. It is frustrating when there is little or no support. For instance, in Kajiado, local leaders promised financial assistance, however, realizing that Delka would fund the project they reneged on their promise.

In Homa Bay, we found communities that were inhabited only by children and grandmothers, as whole communities have been wiped out by the AIDS epidemic. A local church donated a piece of land where we are building a home for these children.

More important than any project, perhaps is civic engagement. When an electorate is too poor to afford their next meal, a few shillings for sukari is all they need to vote someone in.  Delka has committed itself to voter education. Delka is forming alliances with women’s groups so that they can demand for services and accountability from elected officials. Through women's groups, since they are the most organized in these communities, we hope to educate whole villages on their rights as voters and citizens.

Kenya Imagine: Monetary donations-- while it is true that there are thousands of Kenyans in the Diaspora, it is also true that a good number of them do not have spare change, if you will, how do you convince them to contribute to projects, when they are working to not only feed themselves, but also their families back in Kenya?

Delka: We show how a dollar can go a long way. If you ask for large amounts, then many are discouraged. As Mahtma Gandhi said," be the change that you want in your community." I encourage everyone to use the little resources that they have, including time, to give back to the community.

Kenya Imagine: We hope that yours is a model that can be followed by associations across the world.

The model of Delks appealed to me, not only because they have specific goals that they are working on, but also because their timelines which were realistic were a reality. To ensure accountabilty, Delka keeps a record of all its projects and transactions. The project managers in Kenya are also required to account for all their transactions. Every so often members of Delka make random visits to Kenya to ensure that everything is running well.

Imagine the impact a group like this existing in every Diasporic community would have on communities in Kenya!

Images courtesy of the Delaware Kenya Association.