Renowned Kenyan Broadcaster Fred Obachi Tells Kenyans Abroad to Remember Humble Roots, Help Beyond Relatives
Renowned Kenyan broadcaster Fred Obachi Machoka has urged Kenyans living abroad to always remember their humble beginnings and the pivotal role their communities played in their journey out of poverty.
In his recent address at the Minneapolis Marriott Northwest Hotel in Brooklyn Park, Machoka acknowledged that many Kenyans in the Diaspora were raised by parents and guardians who had virtually no resources. At the DEAR Awards that honours notable Kenyan diaspora members, Machoka kept the audience engaged by entertaining them with his famed sense of humour which has become his signature throughout his nearly five-decade-long career.
As diaspora members, a number of Kenyans confronted challenging conditions within their households. Often, parents and guardians attempted to make financial ends meet for their families by resorting to the sale of illicit liquor to fund the education of their children. For others, arriving in a new place was an isolating experience made bearable only by community support. Obachi says that the community came together and drummed up resources to see Kenyans in the diaspora succeed. According to Obachi, satisfied Kenyans who now settle in Minnesota should help those who bolstered them to success.
He says that Kenyans in Minnesota faced significant hurdles at the start, yet worked towards creating a vibrant presence. Minnesota boasts the highest concentration of Kenyans in America, according to the United States Census Bureau. This budding population has captured the interest of Kenyan businesses and the government. Kenya Airways has helped elevate opportunities for migrants in the Twin Cities, given there is now daily direct access from New York to Nairobi. Kenyan governmental services have striven to facilitate ease of access to a wealth of consular services within the state. However, these tremendous strides by the Kenyan community are sometimes unjustly overseen and undervalued by the public at large.
The DEAR awards serve as the community's way of bestowing recognition upon individuals who are actively making a positive impact on society. Machoka has expressed gratitude at the effort being made to spark dialogue surrounding the hardships plaguing Kenyans both at home and in the diaspora. He emphasizes the importance of uniting the Kenyan diaspora with those residing in Kenya to address various issues and dispel misconceptions about life in the Western world. Machoka acknowledges the misconception that many Kenyans see their overseas brothers and sisters as having good fortune in financial matters.
However, Machoka recognizes that there are Kenyans in the diaspora who have achieved financial success. He urges them to go beyond supporting their own families and to contribute more to the community. Rather than focusing solely on protecting their loved ones by building fences, employing guard dogs, and hiring security, he encourages them to invest in others within the community. This way, their parents would not have to reside in impoverished areas.