How Kenya Plans to Honour Its Citizens Abroad Through 15 Award Categories

The Kenyan State Department for Diaspora Affairs has inaugurated a groundbreaking initiative to recognize the outstanding achievements of Kenyans living abroad through the Jamhuri Diaspora Awards.

This annual celebration aims to showcase the diverse contributions of the Kenyan diaspora while strengthening their connections to their homeland. The awards program encompasses fifteen carefully crafted categories that reflect Kenya's core values and aspirations. These categories span a comprehensive range of fields, from business innovation and artistic expression to scientific research and community service. The Biashara category celebrates entrepreneurial excellence, while Talanta recognizes artistic accomplishments across various creative disciplines.

The awards also acknowledge humanitarian efforts through categories like Kujitolea, which honours voluntary service, and Utetezi, which recognizes advocacy work in human rights and social justice. Professional excellence receives particular attention through categories such as Utafiti for research contributions and Uongozi for leadership achievements. The program also emphasizes cultural preservation and environmental stewardship through the Utamaduni and Mazingira categories respectively. Sports achievements, educational contributions, and technological innovations are celebrated through dedicated categories that underscore the diverse ways Kenyans excel globally.

The nomination process has been designed to be comprehensive yet accessible. Eligible nominees must be Kenyan citizens residing abroad who have demonstrated significant impact in their respective fields. Prospective candidates can be nominated through an official form available on the State Department's website, which can be accessed either directly or through a provided QR code. Nominators are required to submit detailed citations outlining the candidates' achievements and may include supporting documentation such as photographs and videos to strengthen their submissions.

All nominations must be submitted to the respective Kenyan Embassies in the nominees' host countries by November 20, 2024. The State Department has emphasized the importance of early submissions to ensure a thorough evaluation of all nominations. This initiative represents a significant step in Kenya's ongoing commitment to engaging its global citizenry. The State Department, through its social media presence, has emphasized that these awards serve a dual purpose of celebrating individual excellence while reinforcing the vital connection between Kenya and its diaspora community.