By Okon Ekpenyong

Kenya-Ohio Diplomatic, Trade, and Investment Conference with the aim of strengthening diplomatic relations and facilitating trade and investment opportunities between Ohio and Kenyan Diaspora and beyond began in New Albany, Ohio on Monday, May 27 and expected to end Wednesday, May 29, 2024.

Being organized by One Voice Consortium (OVC) with headquarters in New Albany, Ohio, the conference is also about the crucial role of the Kenyan diaspora in strengthening diplomatic relations and facilitating trade.

President Joe Biden recently played host to Kenya’s President William Ruto in Washington, D.C. President Ruto’s visit continues a 60-year partnership between the U.S. and Kenya based on shared values, close cooperation, and a shared vision for the future, as stated by the White House.

During the visit, two county governors Dr. Moses Kiarie Badilisha of Nyandarua and Wavinya Ndeti of Machakos County accompanied the Kenya President.

Also, the two governors participated at the Ohio-Kenya conference making presentations about opportunities and relationship between Kenya and United States. Kenya consists of 47 counties.

“With a membership exceeding 80 diaspora-based institutions and comprising over 120,000 individual members and entities, the OVC is steadfast in its mission to create a prosperous future for its members and the regions they represent,” said Dr. Robert Chiuri, President of OVC.

He said, “the organization’s objectives for the conference, which is anticipated to be a productive and influential event for all participants is paramount.”

Attendees at the event are expected to engage with Ohio state officials, the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, and representatives of the Ohio Department of Development.

The conference agenda covers many topics, including small business and global trade, minority business development, and discussions with city officials in Columbus. This diverse array of discussions and networking prospects makes the conference a valuable occasion for those interested in business in Ohio.

On the final day of the conference, May 29th, the delegation will visit Ohio State University and the New Albany International Business Park to explore further opportunities for collaboration and partnership. The Kenyan delegation, led by Governors Dr. Moses Kiarie of Nyandarua County and Governor Wavinya Ndeti, of Machakos County, Wavinya Ndeti, seeks to establish diplomatic, trade, investment, and academic relationships with Ohio’s Kenyan diaspora, government, and business community.

Governor Wavinya Ndeti, who received her education in the U.K. and now serves as the 2nd governor of Machakos County, spoke to the Kenyan Diaspora living in Central Ohio.

She emphasized the importance of meeting with the diaspora and Ohio officials to review how Machakos County, Kenya, and the state of Ohio can engage in meaningful conversations and work together for mutual benefit.

Governor of Nyandarua County, Dr. Moses Kiarie Badilisha, underscores the significance of potential trade discussions in his county.

He highlights agriculture, mainly the thriving potato and vegetable production industry. Establishing a partnership with the Kenyan diaspora in Ohio and the Ohio government could result in mutual benefits, potentially leading to job creation for the youth in Kenya.

A representative from the DeWine-Husted administration in Ohio, specifically from the state’s economic development department, welcomed the two governors and praised them for their willingness to meet and engage in a meaningful conversation that could one day benefit their respective counties, the country of Kenya and the state of Ohio as a whole.

During the opening night, a New Albany Chamber of Commerce representative discussed how the city is poised to become a significant data center hub, especially with the new Intel Project. The potential for this project to drastically change the area’s trajectory sparked a meaningful conversation about the possibility of collaboration between Kenya and Ohio.

The conference also presents an excellent opportunity for public and private enterprises to explore trade, investment, and sister-city relationships between Kenya and Ohio. The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) is actively pursuing partnerships with U.S. businesses to enhance the exchange of goods and services between the two countries.

According to the organizing team, “The Kenya-Ohio Diplomatic, Trade, and Investment Conference is poised to be a platform for constructive discussions, networking, and the establishment of meaningful relationships.”

This assurance should instill confidence and anticipation in the audience, who should know that the conference holds excellent potential for their communities, fostering a sense of excitement and hope.

It is also important to recognize the contributions of the Ohio Diaspora organizations and individuals who have played a key role in organizing the Kenya-Ohio Diplomatic, Trade, and Investment Conference. These include David Mutua, who leads many of the Ohio Diaspora organizations, as well as Dr. Robert Chiuri, Prof. Kefa Otiso, Elizabeth Wanjiku, and Tobias Engel, all of whom have made significant contributions to the global diaspora community. Together, these individuals and organizations have helped to foster strong relationships between Kenya and Ohio, promoting trade, investment, and diplomacy between the two regions.

Meanwhile, during the recent State Visit of President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto of the Republic of Kenya, the United States and Kenya announced new initiatives and public diplomacy programs to elevate culture as a diplomatic platform that will bring people together, preserve cultural heritage, and strengthen the economies of our two countries.  
The Department’s Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) will continue the United States’ long-term investments across Africa to preserve and protect cultural heritage and boost tourism.  In addition, in partnership with key industry leaders such as the Recording Academy, the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, and other leading private sector and civil society institutions, the United States will launch new programs that will promote collaboration, build capacity, and bolster professional creative industry ecosystems.  Through these initiatives, the United States and Kenya will connect industry leaders in music, film, and television and provide key technical and vocational skills needed to support a sustainable and thriving creative infrastructure.

As part of the shared focus on tourism and cultural heritage, the AFCP will support efforts led by the National Museums of Kenya to preserve the archaeological site of Takwa, a 15th- and 16th-century Swahili trading town.  AFCP projects help preserve a wide range of cultural heritage – including historic buildings, archaeological sites, ethnographic objects, paintings, manuscripts, and indigenous languages and other forms of traditional cultural expression – and contribute to local economies by supporting tourism.  Since 2001, AFCP has invested $18.2 million in the preservation of cultural heritage in over 45 countries in Africa.

Beginning this summer, shared efforts to bolster Kenya’s growing creative economy will get underway. The ACTV will bring television professionals from Kenya and across the African continent to Los Angeles for a four-week residency at the University of Southern California School of Cinematic Arts, where they will be mentored by American television writers, producers, and industry experts.  ACTV focuses on professional development and networking opportunities for television writers, producers, and other technical fields such as art direction, cinematography, editing, and line producing.

In addition, mid-level music industry professionals from Kenya will participate in the first-ever American Music Mentorship Program (AMMP), which is a partnership between the Department and the Recording Academy.  AMMP connects international mid-career music industry professionals with mentors selected by the Recording Academy.  AMMP was first announced by Secretary Blinken at the launch of the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative in September 2023.

As part of the Community College Initiative Program (CCI) — which taps into the U.S. community college system to provide educational and technical training to international students — the United States will provide Kenyan students with a tailored academic program at U.S. community colleges that will build the students’ technical skills in film and television production, enhance their leadership capabilities, and prepare them to enter the workforce upon returning to Kenya.

Finally, as part of the American Film Showcase (AFS) program, the Film and TV Leadership Initiative will bring Kenyan and other African filmmakers to the United States for workshops and networking with their American counterparts, including at the 2024 Middleburg Film Festival in Middleburg, VA.  They will also engage with their American counterparts in Atlanta, GA; Los Angeles, CA; and Washington, DC;.  The Department will also send leading U.S. film and television professionals to conduct workshops in Kenya as a reciprocal exchange.

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