Ajabu Africa News

By:

HARRISON MAINA

Posted:

Apr,16-2017 22:33:00

BOSTON__The impact of the recent immigration developments in USA and the looming new taxation by the government of Kenya of nationals living and working abroad will be thoroughly discussed during the 3rd Annual Boston Kenyan Festival planned for next week, Saturday April 15 with the Boston Marathon taking place on Monday April 17.

The event, organized by a group of patriotic Kenyans in conjunction with the New England Kenyan Association will take place at the Anthony's Lounge, a popular event and catering hosting venue located in Malden, about 10 miles from Downtown Boston.

Kenyan immigration attorneys Charles Wanjohi and Mueni Muli opf Wanjohi & Muli law firm will be on hand to update Kenyans on the current immigration developments where recent reports indicate increased deportation procedures to immigrants with expired immigration documents including some in the process of streamlining their stay.

Immigration actions also have a big impact on Kenyans with proper documents as families face separation and other negative social impacts.

Speaking to Ajabu Africa News, attorney Wanjohi said that many people in USA are experiencing a lot of changes and confusion on the immigration front, most of which has been fuelled by a lot of misinformation leading to great fears and uncertainty.

As a result, according to Wanjohi, it is extremely crucial for all Kenyan immigrants in USA to learn the accurate position of the immigration laws and what changes have come into place.

"For those not in legal statuses, there is critical information you need to arm yourself with and also to know the pitfalls to avoid at this time of heightened immigration enforcement. For those in legal status, one needs to know the best ways to maintain and understand the many benefits that are freely available for such."

Wanjohi said that credible and reliable immigration information sometimes comes at a high premium making the Boston Kenyan festival a great opportunity for all interested Kenyans to avail themselves without fear of marginalization or any repercussions.

"Immigration consultation tends to be very costly, therefore everyone should take advantage of any available forum discussing immigration issues especially where you can get a chance to consult an experienced attorney one on one at no cost," he added.

In September 2014, Wanjohi and Mueni conducted an immigration seminar in partnership with Nekwa at the Lodge of Elks in Lowell where many Kenyans from different backgrounds and cities around Boston showed up for crucial information as a free service to the community.

At the same time, many Kenyans in the Diaspora have been shocked to learn of the intended taxation by the Kenya government of all Kenyans living and working abroad as the government plans to increase its tax base to raise funds to finance the 2017 budget.

According to media reports citing the Kenyan cabinet Secretary for National treasury, the government of Kenya plans to raise Ksh300 billion ($3 billion) by taxing income generated by individuals, businesses and properties held abroad, to finance part of its Ksh2.6 trillion budget in the 2017/2018 fiscal year.

The new, far reaching measures are expected to be operational at the end of this year, starting November 2017, with artists, consultants, auditing forms, footballers and athletes like those who take part at the Boston marathon being some of the prime targets.(Recap here:Kenyans making money abroad get one-year tax amnesty)

However, the move has generated concerns from many Kenyans in the Diaspora that fear the new move would amount to double taxation of the same people who pay taxes to the US government on the same income that the Kenya government is targeting.

"This is something worth our meeting and discussing as a community in the Diaspora. We need more information about how this will be implemented and how it will affect our Diaspora remittances that go to help our loved ones back home. We could end up paying double taxes while we are getting very little or nothing back from the government of Kenya to our children in USA," said George Kamau of Quincy.

In addition to discussions on how to effectively react to government changes beyond their control, Kenyans also plan to use the opportunity to discuss ways to improve much needed trust and unity among the growing community in the region where divisions based on religious and tribal lines has reached alarming levels.

For more than 30 years of existence in the Diaspora, Kenyans in Boston have been bogged down with multi-layered divisions that force people to assemble in small, non-cohesive and perennially infighting groups all fighting to outdo each other for dominance and control.

However, many in the community feel that it is time for rational, well meaning community members let by young Kenyans who find it easier to adpt to changing situations to put their differences aside to genuinely combine efforts to build a cohesive community capable of solving many social problems utilizing modern technological and social trends.

"I agree we should all come together and build our community in one accord. I will avail myself to cover the event," said Anthony Thuo of ThuoThuo studios during an interview with Ajabu Media.Similar calls for unity were made by Sam Mwaura of Samrack media and Joe Kangethe of Kali Radio.

The event will feature gospel performances by Diaspora based Evangelist Charity Maina of Lowell, Generation Esther Leviticus Worshippers, a young girls ministry dance group based at the Christ is the Answer Church, as well as general entertainment by popular Kenyan DJ Yard.

"It's a good thing for us Kenyans to meet in this kind of a community wide event that showcases our Kenyan culture especially during the marathon time where our runners bring so much fame to our country. Let us come together and be proud of our culture," urged DJ Yard

Other Kenyans praised organizers for hosting this year's event in the city of Malden which was the main base for the organization of the Kenyan community in New England with the establishment of the first event Kenyan church, the St. Paul's Community church when later on disintegrated due to irreconcilable differences.

With the Easter holiday being celebrated on the same weekend starting with good Friday and Easter Sunday, many Kenyans in the region hope that the special moment in many Christians calendar can help Kenyans in Boston reflect of the impact of their divisions and use the opportunity to resurrect dead community relations as they celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ himself.

"This is good that for the first time we will have a Kenyan event in Malden. Many Kenyans have never been to Malden and this is a good opportunity for them to come and meet other Kenyans here," said Pastor Peter Maina of the PEFA church based in Malden.

According to organizers, guests will be treated to a full course buffet dinner meal including an ethnic side dish of popular Nyama Choma (goat meat) in addition to the expected entertainment. Organizers are also hoping Kenyan elite marathon runners will be able to attend the celebrations before the main Boston marathon race on Monday April 17.

Tickets to the event are going for $40 a person with kids below 15 years going for free.

"This is a very reasonable price for an event of this kind of importance especially where the kids eat for free. We spend much more to attend other events like weddings, baby showers and fundraisers where you cannot get the kind of free information to be provided at the Boston Kenyan festival. It’s a very small fee to invest in efforts to build our community," said many organizing committee members aWhatsApp group created for planning purposes.

However, due to the strict requirements by the lost, ticket sales that have been going on for the last two weeks will end this Monday April 10 at 6pm in order to establish the number of expected guests for food and logistical planning.

Kenyans willing to support community building efforts are urged to make their reservations via an online Eventbrite link here (Boston Kenyan Festival)or via Square Cash App using the cashtag:John Bret Giathi:857-891-5524

Source:

AJABU AFRICAN NEWS