Celebrating 54th Jamhuri Day with Scholarship Awards
Kenyans in Ontario marked Jamhuri Day this past weekend in an occasion that boasted of good food, music and speeches by a variety of Kenyans and friends of Kenya.
The December 9th event, hosted by the Kenyan Community in Ontario (KCO) in conjunction with Kenyan Community in Ontario Women Forum (KCOWF) was held in Mississauga, Ontario.
The evening’s two agendas comprised ushering in of the new KCO leadership and Board for the year 2017/18 as well as awarding some scholarships to deserving youth within the Kenyan community.
Four successful youngsters who will be joining university/College for the first time won the highly competitive KCO Women Scholarship Funds 2017 of $500 each. These are Abdullah Chanzu, Emmanuel Simiyu Mulongo, Ann Wanja and Paul Wandili.
The evening featured prominent guests including Kenya’s High Commissioner to Canada & Cuba John Lanyasunya; Canada’s Minister for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Ahmed Hussen and Mississauga Mayor, Bonnie Crombie. Others were Dipika Damerla the MPP for Mississauga East-Cooksville; Councillor Ron Starr of Mississauga Ward 6; Councillor Jim Karygiannis – Scarborough-Agincourt Ward 39. Keynote speakers were Nyandusi Nyachae and President of KWITU (Kenya Women In The United States)Lilly Okech (Richards).
The KCOWF Scholarship Fund is given to qualified students within the Kenyan Community who have just completed high school and are joining a college or university. Since its launch, the Fund has awarded about 12 scholarships.
By Essie Wambui.
~Wakenya Canada
