Welcome from Chairman, Juvenal Shiundu

Welcome to the Kenya Society revitalised website. The Kenya Society began its journey in 1989 when Ambassador Dr. Sally Kosgei, then Kenya’s High Commissioner in London, sought to harness the dynamism of a rapidly growing Kenya diaspora as well as the affection and loyalty of those British expatriates who had returned from Kenya and wanted to keep their links with the country they loved – and in most cases were reluctant to leave.

At the 32nd Annual General Meeting held at the Rembrandt Sarova Hotel, London on 25 May 2022, Patrick Orr retired as Chair of the Society, and I was elected to succeed him. Mrs. Ruth Barry was elected Deputy Chair.  In this regard, I expressed, on behalf of the Society, appreciation to Patrick for his dedication and excellent services to the Society from its inception when he served as the Society’s first Hon. Secretary. I also recorded my appreciation to some longstanding Committee stalwarts, such as Robert Newell, our Treasurer, late Girish Raval, Karl Ziegler, Chandra Devani and Sir Jeffrey James.

I wish to recall that Ambassador Sally Kosgei started the tradition of hosting the Society’s Annual Garden Summer Party at Harambee House residence. This event has been supported by subsequent Kenya High Commissioners to the UK ever since and remains the Society’s main event of the year. We have had some wonderful occasions and historic moments – too many to mention individually – but including late President Daniel Arap Moi attending a Kenya Society lunch in London in 1996, former President Uhuru Kenyatta addressing the Society’s members and guests, hosting Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, late Hon Charles Njonjo and late Richard Leakey similarly attending such events. Past Patrons of the Society are late Presidents Moi and Kibaki and former President Uhuru Kenyatta. We have also entertained Kenya’s world-beating athletes in London for the Marathon and the 2012 Olympics.

Over the years, the Society was wonderfully served by chairmen such as late Sir John Johnson and John Edwards. And, of course, by our outstanding and out-going Executive Secretary, Pamela Chesire, who has given so much of her time and energies in making great strides towards strengthening the Society. In the recent past, our Society has evolved, with an injection of fresh ideas being enabled from revamping our constitution which had been unchanged since our formation in 1989. This process managed by the Committee, and steered by Sir Jeffrey James, former British High Commissioner to Kenya and me was completed in 2018. We now have a more modern and responsive society in line with present-day needs and realities. As a result, the current Committee under the new constitution was reconstituted at the 32nd AGM with members who have brought with them a wealth of knowledge and experience in their respective fields – something that will be hugely beneficial to the Society in the months ahead.

Under my leadership, the Committee will work hard towards ensuring that we continue to meet the needs of existing members, as well as attract and engage new members, collaborations and partnerships. We look forward to building on activities identified as of great value to members such as our Mentorship Programme (Vijana Wetu) and Education Partnership Initiative.

We invite you to browse our website and join with us as we gather as friends to promote relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom.

You are so welcome. Karibuni wote!

JUVENAL SHIUNDU
Chairman of the Kenya Society

 

 

Not listed

KENYA SOCIETY

Virtual Office
www.kenyasociety.org