World renown political and cultural scholar, Professor Ali Mazrui is mobbed by young Kenyan ladies during an awards gala by the new Association of Kenyans in the Diaspora 1st Annul conference at the Sheraton Hotel in Braintree, Mass last Saturday. pic by H.Maina/Ajabu

The founding members of the organization to be known as the Association of Kenyans in the Diaspora (AKD) came up with the idea months ago, culminating into the first annual conference that took place at the Bridgewater State College from Friday to Sunday last week.

The event kicked off on Friday July 17 with registration and entertainment by Kenya based comedians, Ojwang Hatari, and Mama Kayai of Vitimbi and Walter Mongare aka Nyambane of Redykulass. Gospel musician Linda Muthama also performed.

A discussion followed on Saturday, after which outstanding Kenyans and friends in the Diaspora received awards in recognition of their contribution to the community.

Renowned Kenyan Scholar, Prof. Ali Mazurui attended the conference as a panelist, discussing the Kenyan – American cultural identity crisis. Dr. Rev. Mumbui Karimi of Ushindi church, Bishop Joshua Wambua of Rapture Harvest Mission International, Kamenya Hinga and Genevive Tiony joined Prof. Mazurui on the panel moderated by Dr. Milton Were.

Other panelists discussed topics ranging from Investments and Entrepreneurship, the role of ICT, Media and Entertainment in changing Kenya and the Diaspora, the role of NGOs and Effective Philanthropy to end cycle of poverty in Kenya.

The issue of Personal Empowerment and Career Development of Kenyans in the Diaspora was also debated. Panelists from different states had been slated to feature in their areas of interest.

According to the event chairman, Paul waithaka, Kenyan Ambassador to the US, Mr Peter Ogengo and his team did not make it due to a last minute official hitch.

During the award ceremony at Braintree Sheraton hotel Saturday night, the conference organizers said it was important to recognize outstanding Kenyans because of their contribution to the development of the Kenyan community in the Diaspora.

A cross section of some of the Kenyans in the graduating class of 2009 who received awards

At least 20 Kenyans who had just graduated from the 2009 class in various disciplines were honored. Each received a trophy. Miss. Angela Muirui, the reigning Miss Kenya USA graced the event and handed out the trophies to the awardees.

Another group of outstanding Kenyans and friends received awards in the areas of peace, Media/Internet Blog, Humanitarian/Non-profit , Entrepreneurial spirit, Courage, Rising Star.

A Lifetime Achievement award went to Prof. Ali Mazurui for his academic excellence. Professor Wangari Maathai, a renowned conversationalist was honored in absentia while Geoffrey Griffins, former founder and principal of Starehe boys’ center was awarded a Friends of Kenya award posthumously.

Accepting the award, Prof. Mazrui, a world renowned cultural and political scholar, who has written extensively and impacted the lives of many around the globe said the he was greatly honored to receive the award from the young generation from his native Kenya at this time in history.

“I am glad to receive this award at this particular time. It is the 100 anniversary of Kwame Nkuruma and the 91st birthday of nelson Mandela. This is the first time in history that the son of an African father is in charge at the White House,” said Mazrui.

He praised the great achievements that Africans are making lately and asked them to keep aiming higher.

“Not many people realize that Barack Obama is the most powerful black man in history, commanding the most powerful army in the world said a respected scholar .

“Not even Shaka Zulu or Menelik II could be this powerful,” he added as he held on his walker due to advanced age.

Amos Wang'ombe and his wife Mercy, of the Afya Njema non- profit organization that has partnered with Umass Boston receive a philanthropy award.

A bitter sweet moment occurred when Ms. Delphine Masonzo, a Kenyan living with HIV whose plight was exclusively reported by AjabuAfrica.com received an award honoring her brevity in coming forward to publicly acknowledge her status.

She received a standing ovation at the end of her acceptance speech in which she said she will be starting a support group for Kenyans living with HIV in the Diaspora and whose number has been rising.

As the event came to a conclusion, keynote speaker for the night, Ledama Olekina declared his intention to vie for the presidency of Kenya come 2012 general election.

Olekina, the founder of the Maasai Discovery non governmental organization, said that having lived in the Diaspora for many years and engaging in activities to improve the community, he has now decided to go for the bigger job.

The aspiring political candidate, who said that he now lives in Kenya but still owns a house in Boston described the situation that he observed in Kenya and which made him make up his mind to run for the highest office in the land.

Ledama Olekina, who threw his hat in the ring for the presidential contest in the upcoming Kenyan general elections in 2012

“There are three economies in Kenya right now; The Kenya Government economy, the Somali economy and the Mungiki economy,” said the presidential hopeful. “We need to make the right changes so that these problems come to an end and the people enjoy their lives once again.”

Ladema blamed the Mungiki for the insecurity facing Kenya and showed a video documentary depicting scenes of the mayhem caused by Mungiki.

The three day conference ended with a church service and a business networking session on Sunday held at the Bridgewater State College. A few dozen Kenyans attended the service presided over by Bishop Joshua Wambua.

The man of God asked Kenyans to hold onto the dreams and visions that God put onto them to see them to fruition. He thanked the conference organizers for coming up with the vision to unite Kenyans and hoped that it will continue into the future.

The otherwise well organized event generated mixed reactions from Kenyans. “This was an awesome event. It has brought to light many things Kenyans are doing that we didn’t know,” said Catherine Nyette.

Others criticized the event and demanded to know why the organizers did not do much to recognize people who have been doing selfless efforts in activities that impacted the Diaspora community like fund raisings for the needy.

“I need to know why only a few selected guys were recognized in this community while many others who have done a lot and graduated in various fields were not even mentioned,” said Peter Thuo.

Asked by an Ajabu reporter to comment on the complaints, the head of the event’s planning committee, Peter Kagunye, and proprietor of the Kenyan coffee company, Batian Peak, said the organization can not be blamed for not reaching out to everyone.

Peter Kagunye, the chairman of the planning and organizing commitee

“I disagree that everyone did not know about this event. We promoted the event heavily in the social networking websites like face book and churches. “We also can not recognize everybody as there are far too many people who qualify for recognition,” Kagunye added as the conference wound up on Sunday afternoon.

ENDS

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