KESSA was formed in 2008 by Profs. Kefa Otiso, Maurice Amutabi, C. Gichana Manyara and Francis Koti to primarily promote the intellectual and professional interests and welfare of Kenyan Diaspora scholars and their associates. Moreover, KESSA seeks to promote scholarly, scientific and research work in/on Kenya in all scholarly disciplines and persuasions; promote and facilitate cooperation through the exchange of ideas and meaningful dialogue among groups and/or persons engaged in scholarly and scientific research work in/ on Kenya; encourage and facilitate the dissemination of information, publications, and other scholarly works on Kenya; organize scholarly workshop panels, discussions, symposia, and conferences on Kenya; and raise funds in support of the foregoing activities.

Since then KESSA has pursued these objectives by especially holding annual conferences, sponsoring the publication of edited book volumes, publishing annual conference proceedings, mentoring Kenyan diaspora students and aspiring scholars, and creating networking opportunities for its members. In that time, KESSA has become a one stop shop for its members. We have successfully mentored and helped many Kenyan diaspora students to gain advanced degrees and numerous Kenyan academics at home and in the diaspora to grow intellectually and professionally.

Our conferences have been held in Bowling Green, Ohio (2008-2013), Florence, Alabama (2014-2015), and at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, Atlanta, GA (2016-2018). Some of our most momentous conferences were the 2008 inaugural conference; the 2013 conference that coincided with the Kenya @50 independence celebrations; and the 2017 conference that marked KESSA’s 10th anniversary. Our annual student paper competitions have over the years proven to be effective tools for intellectually growing our student members.

Throughout our existence, our conferences have consistently attracted high caliber key note speakers including Dr. Jendayi Frazer, a onetime U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, Bureau of African Affairs, U.S. Department of State; all sitting Kenyan Ambassadors to the United States, notable scholars; senior Kenyan government officials including Members of Parliament, Senators, Ministers, Cabinet and Principal Secretaries. This year we are privileged to welcome, among others, Dr. Sherine Obare, Professor of Chemistry and Associate Vice President for Research at Western Michigan University, Prof Joseph Kieyah, Chair, [Kenya] National Task Force on the Coffee Sub-Sector Reforms, Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, CEO and Secretary, [Kenya] Commission for University Education, H.E. Robinson Njeru Githae, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to The United States of America (with accreditation to Mexico), Dr. Joshua Gisemba Bagakas, Professor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics and Student Affairs), KCA University, Kenya, Prof. Reuben O. Marwanga, Chairman, Kenya National Innovation Agency, and Dr. Samuel M. Karenga, Dean, School of Postgraduate Studies, Mount Kenya University, Thika, Kenya.C