If you are a Kenyan in Distress, Dial 9; says outgoing Ambassador
From left to right, Holly Hartsfield, Director of development and compliance at the In our Own Quiet Way NGO, Kenya’s Ambassador to the US, H. E. Peter N. R. O. Ogego, Judge Master Carol Ann Albert, a Judge at the superior court of Justice, Toronto, Canada,her husband, Dave Firestone, Mrs. Rosemary Ogego, the Ambassadors's wife and Joseph Wambia, of Wambia Capital, during a farewell party organized by the Kenya Christians Fellowship Abroad, DC chapter in Bethesda, Maryland last week. |
By Harrison Maina, Ajabu Africa News, Posted June 16, 2010
BETHESDA, MD_Concluding his four-year term as Kenya’s Ambassador to the US, H. E. Peter N. R. O. Ogego has said that no Kenyan living in the USA should be failing or suffer from troubles like immigration arrests because their embassy has put in place measures to protect and assist its citizens against such problems.
Ambassador Ogego said that his office has introduced a standby staffer 24/7. “If you call the general line, you will hear the message; if you are a Kenyan in distress, just dial 9 and an embassy staffer on duty will immediately pick up, or respond to your call fast,” said Ogego.
The Embassy's main number is :
(202) 387-6102
“Even if you’re arrested, just let them know that you are a Kenyan and they should notify the embassy of your arrest. The embassy will then act to establish the facts, and as long as it is not a criminal matter, we should be able to help you,” he added.
The outgoing envoy made the explanation during a farewell party held in his honor and organized by the Kenya Christians Fellowship Abroad, DC chapter (website) , at the Marriot Hotel in Bethesda, Maryland last week. More than 150 Kenyans and friends of Kenya attended the event.
. The ambassador was accompanied by his wife, Rosemary Ogego, Judge Master Carol Ann Albert, a Judge at the superior court of Justice, Toronto, Canada, and her husband, Dave Firestone, who met Ambassador Ogego during his tenure as Kenya’s Ambassador to Canada prior to moving to the Washington DC office.
Also in attendance was Ron Hartsfield, the Executive director of In our Own Quiet Way , a Utah based NGO with projects in Kenya, and his daughter, Holly Hartsfield, Director of development and compliance.
Ogego said that many Kenyans in America do not understand why the embassy was created and therefore don’t engage the diplomatic mission when in trouble. He said after spending four years at the DC Office, he was happy to be leaving an efficient and functional office that can respond rapidly and effectively to the diplomatic needs for all Kenyans in the USA.
KCFA national chairman, Lucas Kimani, left, hands over a gift to Amb. Peter N.R.O Ogego |
“I have been able to accomplish five major things that I set out to do, and I am now leaving you with a very functional and effective embassy,” he said.
Among the list of things he listed as having been achieved include changing the tone of negotiations between the government of Kenya and the US from that of treating Kenya as an inferior partner to one of mutual respect, reaching out to Kenyans in the US, ensure that the office in Washington DC is functioning effectively and to identify American companies and private sector that can invest in Kenya.
He singled out Coca Cola, Boeing and Star bucks among the companies he visited and which have expanded their operations in the country. He specifically sighted Coca cola which has its biggest operations in Africa based in Nairobi.
On tourism, the envoy revealed that prior to the post election violence; the US had surpassed Germany in the number of tourists to Kenya.
Thanking the embassy staffs who have been instrumental in transforming the mission into an efficient machine, Amb. Ogego said that he is a result oriented person who pushed hard and rewarded his staff well. “Together, we have been able to create an efficient machine that can withstand pressure from both Nairobi and the Diaspora.
“I am leaving you with an efficient, functional office. It is up to you to ensure they live up to it and are accountable,” Ogego told Kenyans.
Dr. Chege Karogi the founder and president of KCFA during the Ambassador's farewell party |
The event was opened with prayers by Rev. Geoffrey Gatambia, pastor of Powerhouse Baptist church, Belleview, Maryland.
Among the Embassy staff who were present at the event was Mr. James Mwangi, the Commercial Attaché, who presented new video presentation marketing Kenyan as a prime tourist destination, with Ambassador Ogego serving as the narrator in the video.
Also present at the event were many members and officials of KCFA, led by Dr. Chege Karogi Karogi the founder and president of the organization, which has a growing network of affiliate chapters across many cities in the USA. Dr. Karogi, who resides in Cary, North Carolina, told worshippers that KCFA was a rising network of Kenyan Christians in the USA that draw their strength form the various local chapters.
“Our strength is from our chapters,” said Dr. Karogi. “We in our chapters are honored to have had a close relationship with the outgoing ambassador,” he added.
Others were the current KCFA president, , Lucas Kimani from the Baltimore chapter. The KCFA DC chapter was represented by it's chairman, Josphat Kimindu, the vice chairman, Freddy Muroki, who was also the master of ceremonies, Joyce Gacuca, the organizing secretary, Nduta Nganga, the director of the women’s ministry, Simon Ole Meeli, director of Outreach, and Betty Mwema, director of Praise and worship. Also the chapter's adviser, Dr. Daniel Karanja was present.
Many of the KCFA officials showered praise to Amb. Ogego for the support he has shown the organization and especially the Kenyan Christians from every part of the country.
Leading in a brief word of God, Bishop Paul Mulani of Disciples Fellowship International church (DFI) in Silver Spring, MD, asked worshippers to remember and be prepared for the long journey in life even as they see off their own ambassador.
James Mwangi, Kenya's Commercial Attaché at Washington DC , descriibes the efforts to market Kenya as a tourist destination during the Ambassador's farewell party |
“You could succeed to do well in many things but in the eyes of God you could be a fool,” said the cleric. “May God lift you Mr. Balozi (Mr. Ambassador) to another level that is drafted for you,” he added.
The national chairman, Lucas Kimani, said they had tried to ask the previous two Ambassadors to visit KCFA without any success.
However, two weeks after Ogego arrived as the new Ambassador, he attended a KCFA convention and since then the KCFA DC has experienced a great relationship with the Kenyan embassy and the ambassador has become a distinguished member of KCFA,” revealed the chairman.
“While we are sorry that you are going on with your life, we are proud that we have known you and you have gone out of your way to meet Kenyans in every corner, seeking Kenyans who could not be found. We are going to greatly miss you and your wife, Rosemary Ogego who has been so nice to us,” added Kimani.
“You have been so gracious and welcoming to all Kenyans regardless of their background,” said Freddy Muroki.
Muroki added that now that Amb. Ogego had spoiled the Kenyan communuty in the USA by being so close to them, the Kenyans will hope the incoming ambassador will live up the the high standards set in the relashionship between the diplomatic mission and the Kenyan citizens in America.
Addressing the congregants, Josphat Kimindu, the KCFA-DC vice chairman, said that “Leaders are appointed by God, who put men and women and gave them responsibilities, but it is the responsibility of those leaders to do what God told them to do, something that you have done well”.
Kimindu added that before Amb. Ogego came to Washington, the Kenyan embassy never used to solve any problem in the Kenyan community.
“But with this Ambassador, we have even solved two immigration cases, reuniting the families with their loved ones,” said Kimindu.
Kimindu caused a standing ovation for the Ambassadors’ wife when he said that behind every successful man is a good woman, and thanked Mrs. Rose Ogego for helping the ambassador do his work effectively.
Rahab Kinitty from Connecticut entertains guests during the Ambassador's farewell party |
During the event, a Kenyan businessman, who has been working at the World Bank for many years, and now runs his own investments business, Wambia Capital, thanked the Ambassador for promoting more networking opportunities within the Kenyan community in the USA.
Wambia said that soon, his company will be spearheading the launch of the first African mutual fund in the USA, giving African the opportunity to invest in most of the African stock markets, from Johannesburg to Cairo, Nairobi to Lagos, without leaving the US or wiring money home.
The farewell party saw a variety of multi-tribal entertainment by a live band led by Apostle Baraza and Rahab Kinitty from Connecticut, whose sweet melodies with a special composition for the ambassador brought the crowd to its feet.
Rev. Peter O. Osano, of the KCFA Director of Men’s ministry said the closing prayers.
The traditional worship lyrics and beats, including Wanwathika Yesu, a popular and Luo gospel hit, and Mwanamberi, a traditional Luhya cultural song, Ngunginyukia Okahora pulled the crowds including visiting Americans and Canadians to the dance floor, attracting the Ambassadors wife, Rosemary Ogego to dance along.
The party ended with many Kenyans taking pictures with the Ambassador who will surely be missed by the Kenyan community here, for finding and practicing the secret to connect with the common man.
Ajabu Africa.com wishes Ambassador Peter N.R.O Ogego a bright future in his next assignment as a servant of the people of Kenya.
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