Ikanyi at Lowell City

“I could only manage a 7 day plan. I landed on the 24th December and will leave on the 1st January and be in Kenya on the 2nd at exactly 2 pm,” says David Ikanyi who has in the last 2 years transformed himself to a Kenyan businessman. He today is developing his businesses in Kenya at a very fast pace. After living in the U.S. for two decades, Ikanyi decided it was time to go develop his next phase of life in Kenya. Since then he has started businesses in real estate, farming and education. “I’m in the process of opening a school next year,” he says. As the elections start to unfold I discussed with Ikanyi the way he sees Kenya today, the future, the opportunities in Kenya and the role Diaspora can play. “If elections were held today the two people who would be in the run-off are Raila and Uhuru,” he made his observation. He also noted, “The Kenyans abroad who want to become legislators and serve Kenya through posts created in the new constitution can be easily elected.”

Discussing on Kenyans abroad joining the race through the initiative started by Dr. Wilson Endege, he debated that the Kenyans abroad should take the opportunity to run and offer new ideas to develop Kenya. “I have now been on the ground in Kenya for over two years and, if well organized, the Kenyans abroad can have an impact on the elections.” He agreed that the right message of economic growth as presented by the Diaspora for 2012 initiative as outlined in this online magazine can win the elections in many parts of Kenya. “Kenyans are looking for jobs!” he said. Currently, Ikanyi has provided new jobs in Kenya, “I have about 10 workers in the school construction every day.” 

Using an example of the impact that the economic platform advanced could have, Ikanyi noted that he had approached Kenyatta Hospital to try and see if a system like Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) could be incorporated in Kenya. Whereas such a system is viable and could bring in thousands of jobs, the effecting of such a system requires the enactment in parliament by legislators. He noted that as a private citizen he does not have the resources and time to move this forward. Adding that even if he did he may not be able to convince the Ministry of Health regarding the desirability of the system, for the Ministry officials may not even understand it. Ikanyi, however noted that if Kenyans from abroad are elected in parliament it would be easy to introduce such a system. It is worth noting that the CNA system as set up in the U.S not only improved the delivery of quality healthcare and transitional healthcare in the U.S, but is a multi-billion economic system that employs hundreds of thousands in the U.S.

Ikanyi loves progressive thinkers. Working with others he exhibited an entrepreneurial spirit and community development that culminated in the founding of St Stephens Church in Lowell in the 90s when Kenyans started to settle in the U.S. His stewardship of the church was source of empowerment for the Kenya community that settled in Lowell. As chairman of the church he hosted many leaders coming from Kenya including Hon. George Saitoti who was Vice President of Kenya; President Kibaki’s daughter, Judy Kibaki, when she and her delegation toured the U.S on the street children initiative; Muskari Kombo and Noah Wekesa and many other leaders including business people in a span of over 12 years.  As Chairman of the church his approach of leadership was community development and to hand over the leadership of the church when it had come of age. Indeed due to his legacy and approach many businesses mushroomed around the church and the 6th street where the church is located can today be called, “Kenya Town in Lowell city.”

Ikanyi is not afraid to try workability of new ideas and appreciates those who have shaped his life. After returning to Kenya he joined with others to honor the former Headmaster of Kanunga High School Broderick O. Ogange, BOO as he was popularly known, for the role he played in their developmental process while he and others attended Kanunga High School. He would join the University of Nairobi and after graduation relocate to the U.S. Living in the U.S for two decades has shaped his thinking and he today can see the future clearly and where Kenya needs to get to. 

On who is representing the Diaspora views Ikanyi who was the most influencial Kenyan in Boston region for over a decade says, “The only person I see on the television talking on behalf of the Kenyans abroad in the U.S. is John Maina,” as he asks, “By the way who is he? And where is this Kenya Community Abroad he chairs located?” As Kenyans who formed themselves into communities shy away from any role of leadership, opportunists who have never engaged in any community activities and any initiatives of Kenyans abroad have started representing the Kenyans abroad interest.

IKanyi also notes that Diaspora Kenyans who do not step out of their comfort zone and engage themselves in the economic boom emerging in Kenya they will have lost. Ikanyi who 20 years ago would not have been quick to leave the U.S. is today enjoying his life in Kenya as a fast growing businessman. He encourages Kenyans abroad not to be afraid to use their experience. He is today using the experience he got two decades when he lived abroad to develop Kenya and by so doing he is creating for his family and for others wealth and opportunities.