Help spread the word in Atlanta and in neighboring states.

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel – Marietta
2055 South Park Place,
Atlanta, Georgia, 30339
Tel: 1-770-272-9441
Date: April 14, 2011
Time: 4:30 – 6:30 pm

In reviewing the policy we will consider the following:-

· Are the outcomes of the policy clearly stated?
· What assumption does the policy make?
· Is the policy in line with the general direction that Kenya is headed, e.g. Vision 2030, the Constitution, etc?
· Has stakeholder involvement been incorporated throughout the policy development?
· Has Diaspora interest been given a high priority?
· Are the policy outcomes measurable?
· Are there resources to implement the policy?
· What is the accountability structure and mechanism for the policy?
· Does history inform the policy?
· Is the policy in line with the current constitutional dispensation (and the spirit of the new constitution?)

You can view detailed vision of the idea from the embassy at http://www.kenyaembassy.com/news03202012diasporapolicyhtml.html

You can view the draft policy at http://www.kenyaembassy.com/pdfs/DraftDiasporaPolicyofKenya.pdf

YOUR VOTE IS YOUR RIGHT – KURA YAKO, HAKI YAKO! Please plan to attend a very important meeting with IEBC (The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya) in Atlanta this weekend. At the meeting, you’ll learn about the plans for your participation of the Kenyan elections from the diaspora during the 2012 general elections and beyond. Important Townhall with Kenya Election Commision YOUR VOTE IS YOUR RIGHT – KURA YAKO, HAKI YAKO! Please plan to attend a very important meeting with IEBC (The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Kenya) in Atlanta this weekend. At the meeting, you’ll learn about the plans for your participation of the Kenyan elections from the diaspora during the 2012 general elections and beyond.

The new Kenyan constitution grants EVERY Kenyan the right to vote… and Yes, that includes Kenyans in Diaspora. However, the constitution says this right will be implemented PROGRESSIVELY. That means it can happen in the 2012 election or in the 2032 election. A lot of Kenyans in diaspora want to be able to vote in the 2012 election. KDAC of GA’s goal is to put pressure on the government and the IEBC to ensure that not only can Kenyans in diaspora vote in 2012 elections, but Atlanta is one of the voting precincts.

Please remember, that our power is in numbers, so please extend your reach and help in making sure we have a 200-300 people at this meeting.

The meeting details are as below:

Venue: Double Tree by Hilton Hotel – Marietta
2055 South Park Place,
Atlanta, Georgia, 30339
Tel: 1-770-272-9441
Date: December 11, 2011
Time: 4:00 – 7:00 pm

Spread the word! Come and Get Your Voice Heard!

KDAC of Ga is nonpartisan and non-tribal. KDAC of Ga does and will not endorse or fund-raise for any Kenyan political candidate. KDAC of Ga is not an arm or extension of the Kenyan embassy or any political party. KDAC of Ga of open for every Kenyan and does not charge any membership. KDAC of Ga is a voice of ALL Kenyans in Diaspora for issues that affect them both in Georgia and in Kenya.

Come and get your voice heard!

Your vote may not count in the 2012 Presidential election if you do not notify the Kenya government that you are interested in participating.

According to the Constitution of Kenya, you have the right to vote remotely in the presidential election in Kenya scheduled for August 2012.  In addition, the Kenya government is responsible for ensuring that a mechanism is in place for you to register and exercise you right to vote.

With any new constitution, come various administrative procedures that must be ironed out before your rights can be exercised.  None of the procedures required to ensure that you cast your vote in 2012 are currently in place, however, you can change this by understanding and taking action on what is at stake.

Facts

• The Constitution does not require the Kenya government to ensure that you can vote in the  2012 presidential election
• The Constitution requires that the Parliament enact legislation to provide for the progressive registration of citizens residing outside Kenya and the progressive realization of their right to vote
• The term progressive means that the government can take any amount of time to ensure that you realize your right to vote (by 2017 or even 2022)
• If nothing is done, you will have to travel to Kenya to register to vote and then travel back to exercise your right to vote
• Matters regarding dual citizenship are still pending in parliament and need to be clarified

Don’t let procedural matters come between you and your right to vote.

Take Action

Join the Kenya Community Advisory Council of Georgia to become a part of the solution by:

• Liking us on Facebook  (Kenya Diaspora Advisory Council) to take action
• Visiting www.kdacga.org to read the letters that have been sent to the government bodies
• Subscribing to the KDACGA email list on the website to staying connected on major issues

Meeting Minutes
September 17, 2011

Opening:

The meeting was called to order at 2:00PM by David Karangu.

Present:

Catherine Maina, Mary Bowers, Tim Ndegwa, Fred Gituku, Karumba Kiroko, Gachira Thairu, Angela Karanja, Leah Kamau, David Ochwangi, Peter Njoroge, Antony Mwangi, Grace Nyaga, Frank Kioko, Penny Macharia, Ralph Kilondu, Dr. Mundia Kahiga, Winnie Patta.

AGENDA

A. Old Business Revisited:

KDAC of GA Structure—the majority voted that some type of formal leadership should exist. Majority of the group’s sentiments were that not all leadership is bad, and structure was needed for the organization to function optimally. It was agreed that there should be 15 committee members, representing gender, tribal, and organizational diversity. The committee is temporary in nature and in the future formal elections will be conducted. David Karangu was elected to lead the steering committee with Winnie Patta as the secretary.

The following is a list of those chosen to be part of the steering committee:

The committee is selection is not final. There are still some members to be finalized, but in brief, there were 7 women and 8 men. The organizations included ABN, AKPA, KIOMM, some churches.

B. New Businesss

Promoting social events: It was agreed to allow all community announcements to advertise on our website and facebook regardless of whether there was a profit motivation or not.

Kenya Diaspora Conference will be held on October 8–9, 2011 at Marriott Wardman Park in Washington D.C. All are invited and encouraged to attend. Registration is required. If you have not yet registered, you may do so at “https://kenyaembassy.com/dcservices/vision2030conference.aspx”

Travel arrangements:  There are some groups that plan to car-pool. David Ochwangi may be able to get some buddy passes for those interested. However, the condition is to fly stand by. As more information is available, emails will go out to keep you posted.

Items to be brought up at the D.C. conference are already posted on our website.

Selection of two representatives who will officially represent KDAC of GA at the National Diaspora Conference in Washington, DC: Winnie Patta and Mary Bowers were elected to represent Georgia at the Conference.

Meeting Attendance:

Time is too early in the afternoon—new time that was agreed upon by those present will be 4 – 6 PM on Saturdays. The committee would meet from 3pm-4pm.

Consideration should be given to competing events—dates when there are other events going on, that most people are participating in such that there would be a conflict with attendance to the KDAC GA meetings, will be avoided.

Adjournment:

Meeting was adjourned at 4:00 PM by David Karangu. The next general meeting will be from 4:00 – 6:00 PM on October 29, 2011 at The Double Tree Hotel, 2055 South Park Place, Atlanta, GA 30330.

H.E. Mwai Kibaki, C.G.H., MP, President of the Republic of Kenya, is in New York attending the 66th Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

H.E. will meet and address the Kenyan Diaspora on Thursday September 22nd 2011, from 6:30pm – 9:30pm at The Roosevelt Hotel, Madison Avenue, 45th, New York, N.Y. 10017.