A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA BY STESSY NYAGA ON BEHALF OF DIASPORA YOUTH

AN OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA

April 29, 2015
H.E President UHURU KENYATTA
State House,
Statehouse Road
P.O Box: 40530 00100,
Nairobi,
Kenya.
Dear Mr President:
Firstly The Youth of the Diaspora send their sincere greetings to yourself and the Nation of Kenya,
we hope that this letter finds you in good spirits.
I write to you on behalf of the Diaspora Youth where we urge you to enforce a Youth department in
existing embassies as well as recognise/Elect Youth representatives. I have had the opportunity to
engage and work with various young Kenyans and youth organisations through Diaspora Youth
Empowerment and as a young leader; I have identified the great scope of talent and skills that the
Kenyan youth possess: similarly we as a collective have identified shared concerns and frustrations
as young leaders and ambassadors of our country.
Living in the Diaspora creates great prospects for Kenyan youth however we are now witnessing 2nd
and 3rd generation immigrants. We are facing a loss of culture and lack access to knowledge into the
opportunities available to us which is leading to a loss of patriotism for our land. Achievements
made by young Kenyans are claimed by our resident countries leaving our history books incomplete
of great young achievers breaking the global platform.
Radicalization is sweeping the globe and with the rise of Alshabab in Kenya, we need to recognise
the importance of allowing Young Kenyans to brand themselves "Kenyan" and recognize the
potential of Kenya as well as contribute to the development of the nation. We are desperate for
recognized representation and active youth departments within the embassies. Youth organizations
and young leaders fail to receive any response from embassies and state house leaving young people
severed from the only lifeline we have to our country and vulnerable to various "groups" such as
Alshabab.
The unemployment rate in Kenya continues to soar currently 70% of those unemployed are between
the ages of 15 and 35. the Brain Drain in Kenya also continues to rise. Youth in the Diaspora possess
great human Capita, The advancement in technology, travel, social media and information has
created a generation that is innovative, confident and willing to invest in their country. In a time
where the years to come will be a critical and defining period for global societies to explore the
potential of sustainability, on an individual, local, national and global viewpoint, we believe Kenya
should be high on the global platform in every sector and representatives of Africa, we want to be
more than runners. It is crucial that we identify potential talent that will become the mainstay of
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A LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA BY STESSY NYAGA ON BEHALF OF DIASPORA YOUTH

green economic and social development as well as equipping upcoming generations with the
information needed to mould positive behaviours and attitudes.
Younger generations today share more common ground and a global vision of a sustainable
and prosperous future regardless of race, culture or nation. Corruption continues to be a growing
concern amongst us all. Kenya needs youth policies that pay critical attention to entrepreneurship.
We have been unable to access opportunities such as the promise to give young people access to 30
percent of all government contracts. We believe in vision2030 and It is unfortunate that government
programs established to tackle youth unemployment are not supported with sound policies to
ensure sustainability. The country requires comprehensive policies and programs that provide
training, appropriate skills, resources, and market support for youth. If policymakers can harness the
entrepreneurial ideas of young people in the country, they will be doing a service not just for the
youth population, but for Kenya at large. Untapped talent is being wasted in a time where there are
major reforms happening in agriculture, healthcare, education, security, governance!
Diaspora vote, we in Diaspora want to exercise our right to vote! It was promised that mechanisms
will be put in place to ensure that we in the Diaspora vote in 2017. We are apparently the largest
county and want to have a say through the ballot.
Remittances are currently high but this is at threat if the government do not engage with upcoming
generations and maintain patriotism. Simply stated, no country can remain prosperous and stable
without investing in its youth. Kenya must realize that there can be no long-term security and
development without opportunities for youth.
The Youth of the Diaspora Look forward to hearing a response from the President and witness
recognised youth representation in the Diaspora with active youth departments that opens a clear
channel of communication with the Government of Kenya. Together We Rise.
Thank you for your public service.
Sincerely
Stessy Nyaga
President- Diaspora Youth Empowerment
Diaspora Youth Senator for Youth Senate Kenya
writing on behalf of Diaspora Youth UK
Email: stessy@diasporayouthempowerment.co.uk
Facebook page: Stessy Nyaga (https://www.facebook.com/StessyN?fref=ts)
Twitter: @stessyN (https://twitter.com/Stessy_N)

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