Canadian East Africans urged to invest back home

By Esther Essie Wambui (@westesita)~~~~~~

Diplomatic representatives from the five East African countries that also form the East African Community [EAC] met with investors in Toronto this week.

The East African Diplomatic Representatives: From Left-Right - Jack Mugendi Zoka (Tanzania), Ms. Umtoni Shakilla (Chargee d'Affaires for Rwanda), John L. Lanyasunya (Kenya), Speciose Nzeyimana (Burundi) & John Chrysostom Nsambu (Uganda)

The investors networking event was organized by Canada East-Africa Chamber of Commerce, with the aim of connecting the East African diaspora in Canada with their country representatives.

Ambassadors John L. Lanyasunya (Kenya), Jack Mugendi Zoka (Tanzania), John Chrysostom Nsambu (Uganda), Speciose Nzeyimana (Burundi) and Ms. Umtoni Shakilla (Chargee d’Affaires for Rwanda), collectively highlighted the varied investment opportunities and sectors that exist in EA.

From the outset, the diplomats individually underscored that their countries are not in competition with each other, but rather work together to promote common good for comparative advantage, common market ties and a move towards a common currency for the EAC.

Admitting that various social and occasional political challenges remain, the five nonetheless pointed out that the region economies were some of the fastest growing in the world.

It is the right time, they each stressed, for top Canadian investors to take advantage of favourable conditions to invest in the region. They welcomed tourists too, noting that the region was home to many world-class attractions.

High commissioner Lanyasunya accentuated that Kenya is an important player in the region, with a liberalized economy which among other business advantages has well-developed financial markets.

“The country is recognised as a regional banking, information and transportation hub with a huge pool of educated people.” He said. “There are, among others, investment opportunities within the ICT (Information and Communications Technology), agriculture, tourism and infrastructure – including regional roads, railways and pipeline construction.” He continued.

In his appeal to Canadians to invest in Tanzania, H.E Zoka stated that the country was at peace and has favourable investment conditions. He warned though of “the three declared enemies” of his country –ignorance, disease and poverty – which he said have to be overcome in order for Tanzania to grow into a middle-income county like their neighbour Kenya.

“There are still too many people living below the poverty line and this cannot be allowed to continue.” Zoka said.

The East African Diplomats with the Canada East-Africa Chamber of Commerce Executive & Board

In place of a formal presentation, Ugandan High Commissioner chose to do a Q & A. “With an estimated two million East Africans living in North America,” Nsambu urged diaspora East Africans to take advantage of their numbers and look into all possible investing opportunities. Presenting in French (through an interpreter), Amb. Nzeyimana of Burundi was quick to acknowledge her country’s current security situation, which she insisted was only temporary as it related to recent elections.  Listing many incentives put in place to encourage investment, Nzeyimana invited all kinds of investors saying that “there are a lot of sectors in Burundi that need foreign investment and expertise.”

Rwanda’s Chargee de Affairs, Ms. Umutoni presented Rwanda as “viable and enjoyable”, taking time to outline the many advantages of investing in Rwanda and the ease at which one could do so. She said that her country’s consistently increasing GDP speaks for itself.

Ms. Umutoni singled out Rwanda’s financial sector as a huge opportunity for investment, saying “…fifty eight per cent [58 %] of Rwandans have no access to formal financial services”.

On their part, host Canada East-Africa Chamber of Commerce encouraged East Africans to invest and spend money to improve the lives of people back home.

Speaking on behalf of the Chamber, financial advisor Preetum Anauth addressed opportunities in the stocks market; noting that the East Africans living in Canada know these countries and can identify particular companies to invest into.

Referring to the touting of the 21st century as Africa’s century (economically), Anauth pointed to the beginning of this decade, when African growth rates have exceeded those of the world in general.

“There are salient features that make the East African stock market very attractive,” he said. For example, the Nairobi Stock Exchange (NSE) is a frontier market that shows resilience, continued performance and growth potential. Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange (DSE) on the other hand had shown increased liquidity with more shares traded each year as compared to the year before.

Anauth alluded to recent and future developments that should make people more comfortable investing in East Africa: Cross listing of companies in the different stock exchanges, cross listing in the London Stock Exchange and the region’s soon to be launched Exchange Traded Funds (ETF).

The Canada East-Africa chamber of Commerce is a not-for profit business organization that promotes trade, tourism and investment opportunities between Canada and East Africa. These business opportunities are in banking & finance, energy & mining, travel & tourism, building & construction, agriculture, manufacturing, infrastructure, environment and natural resources.

Watch video clips here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLGf5rV5Tre1tZ1xFsLX3n5JlHJcfbQsws

 – By Esther Essie Wambui (c)  @westesita

For Canada East-Africa Chamber of Commerce

Education is President Obama’s Grandmother’s Passion

By Esther Essie Wambui (@westesita) ~~~~~~

Mama Sarah Obama in Toronto, Ontario, Canada

She is proud of her grandson.  After all, he is the President of the United States of America, a position whose holder is considered to be the most powerful person in the world. 

But at the moment, that’s not what she wants to talk about; although she kindly acknowledges that the name recognition has definitely opened a wider stage for her to expand her cause.

Instead, she would like to focus our talk on Education – her great passion – education for the vulnerable and orphaned children from her Kogelo community in Kenya.

Dr. Mama Sarah Obama, or Mama Sarah as she prefers to be called, principally came to Toronto as a guest of the Goodlife Fitness Toronto Marathon. But various groups and individuals have since organised to meet the pleasant community champion.

The 94-year-old grandmother’s packed itinerary defies her age. As the patron of Safeguard Orphans and Widows organisation (SOWO), Mama Sarah is using her short visit to seek support for the NGO.

Her work within the community of Kogelo started long before the Obama name became world-famous. In the last three decades, HIV/AIDS has ravaged Sub-Sahara Africa, resulting in millions of orphans. It was in these years that Mama Sarah turned her attention to the welfare and educational needs of these orphans and their poverty-stricken families.

“I like to see children get an education, so I help the orphans, especially the young girls who have been orphaned because their parents died of HIV,” she says. “I not only encourage them to continue with school, but I also, with support from others, help them with school fees and other necessities including school uniforms, pencils and books”.  She tells me in Swahili.

President Obama’s last surviving grandparent, whom he fondly refers to as “Granny” in his memoir Dreams from My Father, tells me she never herself went to school. Mama Sarah, who was a stepmother to the president’s father, Obama Sr. says she raised the elder Obama since he was 9 years old. 

Mama Sarah Obama with Carol & Thomas Nzyimi in Toronto, Canada

“In those days, when I was born,” she reminisces, “it was very hard for girls to get an education. Only boys were allowed to go to school, and that is why I’ve always pushed to get children within my family and community through school”.  She says.

For longer conversation, Mama Sarah spoke in her native Luo, while Dr. Kenneth Kambona, a development consultant based in Nairobi served as interpreter. Dr Kambona is currently working to define the strategy for Mama Sarah’s SOWO programs.

“She says that since HIV/AIDS has affected many families in Kenya and Africa, she urges Kenyans in Canada and elsewhere to be keen in their support efforts to alleviate the need.” He interprets.

“Mama says that the work she does requires a lot of support from others, so we use such events to galvanize supporters and donors,” Kambona says. “Many people don’t realize that when a family loses the breadwinner, they are left without many options. Widows require a decent basic livelihood. They need some money for themselves and their daily needs.”

Over the years, Mama Sarah Obama has been at the forefront of championing the plight of orphans, the girl-child and widows, for which she has won various international awards including UN Women Education Award in 2014.

“Some of the many children I have helped educate are now in universities.” She says with a shy yet open smile.

I wouldn’t let Mama Sarah go without asking her to let me in on the secret to her energy and vibrancy at 94. Without hesitating, through Dr. Kambona, she attributes it to God’s blessing.

“God has given her the strength and wisdom to continue to this date. So she’s very grateful to God.” He says.

 – By Esther Essie Wambui (C) @westesita 

Ontario Kenyans mourn victims of Garissa University Attack

By Esther Essie Wambui (@westesita) 

Kenyans living in Ontario gathered in Toronto on Sunday April 12 to mourn the 148 people killed when al-Shabab terrorists attacked Garissa University 10 days ago.

Names of the identified Garissa victims were called out

The interfaith ecumenical prayers service held at the Consolota Missionary Centre, paid tribute to both the dead and injured victims of the attack and said prayers for their families.

Attending the ceremony was the new Kenya High Commissioner to Canada and Cuba, ambassador John Lepi Lanyasunya, who also took the opportunity to introduce himself to the Kenyan community.

Addressing the congregation, Amb. Lanyasunya underscored that Kenya has been and would continue to be a beacon of peace for the region.

He pointed out that by attacking Kenya, al-Shabab intended among other reasons to divide Kenyans. “By isolating and killing Christians, they want to sow seeds of discord among various faiths.” He said.

Community and religious leaders lead the prayers

Emphasizing that the constitution of Kenya guaranteed freedom of worship for every citizen, the Ambassador urged Kenyans to not fall into the trap of division, but instead stand together irrespective of their religion to defend this freedom. While noting that Kenya had developed into a medium economy country, Amb. Lanyasunya impressed that by attacking Kenya, al-Shabab was also aiming to cause economic difficulty for the country. Pointing at various travel advisories issued against Kenya by certain countries, he pleaded with Kenyans to repossess the economic narrative of their country.

“Kenya is a peaceful, united vibrant county,” he said. “an open economy where freedom of speech, religion and expression is allowed for all.”

Afterwards, East African regional leaders joined in a planting of seeds ceremony symbolizing Kenya’s enduring spirit. This was done alongside the calling out of the names of all identified victims.

A n excerpt from the poem Grass will grow by Kenyan Poet Jonathan Kariara was  recited.

In attendance too was chairman of the Commission for the Implementation of the Constitution [CIC] Charles Nyachae.

Mr. Nyachae, who happened to be in North America when the attack in Garissa took place, urged Kenyans to individually and collectively help root out terrorists from their communities.

“Let each one of us be able to say that we have done our part.” He implored.

The service was organized by Kenyan community and religious leaders in Ontario.

         -By Esther Essie Wambui for Wakenya Canada  http://wakenyacanada.com/ontario-kenyans-mourn-victims-of-garissa-university-attack/

Here is the poem Grass will grow by Kenyan Poet Jonathan Kariara [1935-1993]

If you should take my child Lord
Give my hands strength to dig his grave
cover him with earth
Lord send a little rain
For grass will grow

If my house should burn down
So that the ashes sting the nostrils
Making the eyes weep
Then Lord send a little rain
For grass will grow

But Lord do not send me
Madness
I ask for tears
Do not send me moon hard madness
To lodge snug in my skull
I would you sent me hordes of horses
Galloping
Crushing
But do not break
The yolk of the moon on me.

 –Kinnareads.com