President Mwai Kibaki has awarded five Kenyans in the U.S various honors for their outstanding and selfless contributions to the community welfare and leadership during the year of 2009. This good news was relayed by the Kenyan Ambassador to the United States, H.E. Peter N.R.O. Ogego.
Speaking to KEN, Ambassador Ogego congratulated the distinguished honorees: Dr. Mwangi Wachira, Pastor David Karanja, Rev Dr. Penny Ruth Njoroge, Ms. Elizabeth Mungai, and Mr. Joseph Wambia for their great accomplishments. He asked Kenyans in Diaspora to join them in celebrating their well deserved awards. “I am happy to see the Government of Kenya recognizes the contribution the Diaspora is giving to society”, said Ogego.
The President honored the five by conferring upon them various individual Presidential awards for the exemplary contribution they have made to the country during the 46th Independence (Jamhuri) Day Celebration on December 12, 2009 in Nairobi, Kenya.
The five join other honorees like Dr. Benson Karanja, President of Beulah Heights University and Bishop Eddie Long of New Birth Baptist Church, both of Atlanta GA., who were bestowed the Head of State’s Commendation (H.S.C.) Award in 2008 for their work in Kenya.
This year, Dr. Mwangi Wachira was presented with one of Kenya’s highest awards – the Order of the Grand Warrior (OGW). A well accomplished former World Bank employee, he has played a major role in promoting the Diaspora and was the official representative of the Kenyans in the U.S at the Biennial ambassadors conference in Nairobi last year.
Dr. Wachira is also a key advisor to the Kenyan Government in Nairobi on international matters. He was a former speech writer for first president of Kenya, the Late Jomo Kenyatta before joining the World Bank.
An Investment Advisor, Mr. Joseph Wambia joined the honorees being awarded the Head of State’s Commendation (HSC) award. A former World Bank employee too, he has worked on a high level and off the radar to advice and promote Kenya in Washing DC. Wambia has played key roles in negotiation with IMF, World Bank and other major potential investors in Kenya.
He has used his experience and network to advise among others the Kenyan Embassy on how to navigate the tricky and sometimes murky waters that are Washington DC politics with his unlimited resources. Wambia has been a resource center for many Kenyans in Diaspora and is credited with the realization of many tangible results.
He has been feature on high profile business network like CNBC on matters of investment in Africa and runs Wambia Capital, one of the largest and most respected investment and risk advisory firms focusing on Africa. It is among the few independent Pan-Africa Investment firms to be founded and managed by Africans in the United States.
Another Kenyan to receive the Head of State’s Commendation (HSC) award is Apostle David Karanja of Christ Harvesters Ministries International (CHMI). Apostle Karanja told KEN that he was called by the ambassador to give him the good news. A well accomplished leader in his own right, Karanja has spearheaded a successful project to assist thousands of Kenyan pastors in rural Kenya by providing bicycles for their transport. His outreach ministry has taken him to promote the good news around the world including Europe and Kenya.
Karanja is the leader and the visionary of Christ Harvesters Ministries International which he started in 2004 with only 7 members, including his family. Under his leadership the ministry has grown to over 1000 members in a span of 4 years. The church moved from a mobile home to owning a 12 acre property worth $ 4 million on Dallas Highway in Marietta, Georgia.
Rev. Dr. Penny Ruth Njoroge, a Clinical Crisis Chaplain of Alabama also received Head of State’s Commendation (HSC) award. When KEN caught up with her at St Vicent hospital where she works, Dr. Njoroge was glad to learn of the honor. “This is good news. I was not aware of this until you called me. I had actually just finished helping a family that lost their relative a few minutes ago when you called. I feel like I am in two worlds right now”, She said.
Rev. Ruth Njoroge is the founding President of the Kenya Community Welfare Association of Alabama that has helped unite Kenyans in the south state. She is also credited with mentoring the children, teens, college students and young adults, helping them achieve their goals and realze their dreams. Among her accomplishments are that she is honoured in “Who’s Who Black in Birmingham” AL, Fellow at American Institute of Stress, 100 Professional\Business Men & Women of Distinction 2009, Founder Member “Birmingham Institute of Biblical Studies University. She has dedicated most of her time to community service both to the Kenyans and the local Birmingham communities. Through her connection, she has helped open doors to many Kenyans academically and professionally,
On the list too was Ms. Elizabeth Mungai of Atlanta Georgia. She received the coveted Head of State’s Commendation (HSC) award for her outstanding work in the community, helping the less fortunate during times of crisis. Known as the “lady with a big heart”, she is known to coordinate and organize fundraisers for the sick Kenyans in hospital and for the burial of those who have lost their loved ones. She has used her resources and network both here in United States and Kenya to resolve issues for fellow Kenyans during their time of need. Her undiscriminating service to all has earned her a good name.
Among her highlights is the role she played in helping rehabilitate Jeremy Kuria, an orphan who witnessed his family killing by yet to be identified assassin. 46 year old Jane Kuria (Jeremy’s Mother) and his two sisters, 19-year-old Isabela and 16-year-old Annabelle were found beaten to death by unknown intruders. Jeremy was also beaten and left for the dead when the police arrived at the scene. Speaking to KEN from Nairobi, Elizabeth said that she was honored to receive the award. “I feel so honored that the president has noticed our efforts” she said adding; “I just extend a helping hand because it is the right thing to do”.
The award ceremony date is yet to be established and may take place at the Kenyan Embassy or at a location to be announced later.
Source: Kim Media Group
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