Outgoing Kenyan Envoy to Visit New England- Cites new Passport Rules

Kenyans listen to the speech by the outgoing Ambassador, His Excellency Peter Nicholas Rateng’ Oginga Ogego during the 10'th Anniversary celebrations of the Catholic church growth in Massachusetts.The event was held in November last year. Pic by Nguyaii Wa-Mbarii/Ajabu

By Harrison Maina, AjabuAfrica News Posted: Mar 25, 2010

As he winds up business at his Washington DC office and prepares to hand-over to yet to be named successor, the outgoing Kenyan Ambassador to the US, His Excellence Peter N.R.O. Ogego will make a final lap to New England starting tomorrow, Friday, April 9.

With instructions to report back to the Kenyan Foreign Affairs Ministry headquarters in Nairobi by May 17, 2010, Ogego will visit Connecticut and Massachusetts for a three-day farewell tour before his final departure.

According to the chairman of the event organizing committee, Mr. Newton Kinity of New Haven, the diplomat has been scheduled to speak to Kenyans at an event to be held at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut starting at 4pm – 6pm on Friday.

Thereafter, Hon Ogego will attend a dinner dance at the West Side Restaurant, also in New Haven, where a Kenyan Disc Jockey will entertain guests.
 
On Saturday April 10, Hon Ogego, will kick off the day at 9am with a tour to the Overseas Ministries Study Center, a pastoral training institution which many of the Kenyan pastors have attended for their theological studies. This will be followed by another evening speech at Yale University starting 4pm.

The second speech at Yale will be followed by another round of entertainment at the same west side restaurant where Kenyans are looking forward to mingle and rub shoulders with the amiable Ambassador widely known among Kenyans for his open door policy.

“Thank God we are in America because in Kenya you would never come close to a person of such stature and even chat freely,” said Joseph Kamau of Lowell, Mass, who is planning to drive the two-hour journey to Yale for the speech and dinner party.

Hon. Ogego will end the New England tour in Massachusetts when he will attend a Sunday worship service at the Tumaini Community church in Springfield. The service will start at 10.30 am.  

Amb. Peter Nicholas Rateng’ Oginga Ogego speeaks to Kenyans in Boston

Speaking to Ajabu Africa News from Washington, Hon Ogego said that he has been honored to serve Kenyans in the Diaspora especially in the USA and that as he returns to the motherland in one month’s time. He said he will leave with fond memories.

“I have been honored and proud to serve Kenyans in America,” said Hon. Ogego. I appreciate the support my countrymen in America have given me in conducting my duties at the Embassy,” he added.

Hon. Ogego has served as the most senior government official representing the Kenyan government in America since 2004.  He became an instant hit with Kenyans all over America with his efforts to streamline consular services for efficiency and bringing them close to the people.
 
Kenyans in America now don’t have to drive all the way to DC or risk the loss of their passports by mailing them to the embassy for renewal. In cases of the 10 year visa, the travel documents had to be mailed again from the embassy to the immigration department in Kenya for renewal and shipped back again to the USA.

“Those methods of work are now history. All passports will be renewed online,” said Hon Ogego who has had more successes than setbacks at the office in DC. (Read more Hon. Ogego’s stay in US)

He added that the 32 page and 48 page passports have been scrapped to comply with the new Kenyan immigration laws. Holders of such passports that have expired are required to apply for new passports that will be 64 pages and will cost $150. This can only be done online by visiting the embassy official website: www.kenyaembassy.com

During the upcoming visit to New England, the ambassador will take the opportunity to make things clear and take questions from Kenyans as he winds up his tour of duty in America,” said Newton Kinity.

Kinity asked Kenyans to turn out in large numbers to wish their friendly ambassador good luck in his future endeavors.

Pressed on what he expects to be his new duties upon return to Kenya, Hon. Ogego said, “Let’s wait and see when that time comes.” He pledged to continue being accessible even when he returns to Kenya so anyone visiting Kenya can contact him if they so wish.

“I will leave my contacts around so people can contact me,” Hon. Ogego promised.

He said he was looking forward to having a good time with Kenyans in Connecticut and Massachusetts when he gets here.

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