| Largest gathering of Kenyans in America |
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| Saturday, 24 July 2010 07:26 |
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A weekend to remember-Largest gathering of Kenyans in America
By Isaac Kariuki
Diaspora Messenger
07/10/2010
 The 4th of July weekend brought the largest gathering of Kenyans in USA together as they celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Kenya Christian Fellowship in America. The gathering was at the campus of James Madison University in Harrisonburg Virginia and started on 2nd July to 5th July.It was hosted by the Kenya Christian Fellowship in America National Board led by Lucas Kimani the current president.
The convention is held every year at the same time and same venue but this year’s was unique as the Fellowship was celebrating 20 years since inception. The Theme was “Ebenezer, thus far the Lord has brought us”. Participants came from all over the country and distance was no hindrance as they came from Washington State, California ,Texas, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York, Alabama, Kentucky, Indiana among many states represented. It was surprising to see that those who came from far like Texas and Massachusetts had large representation than States that were closer to the venue. They came in hired buses, private cars and vans and others flew in.
The major sponsors of the conference, the Cooperative Insurance Company (CIC) which is owned by the cooperative movement of Kenya and is the sister company of the Cooperative Bank was represented by four top management officers from Nairobi and were led by the managing Director of CIC Mr. Nelson Kuria.They came to Launch the CIC operations in USA with the introduction of two important products for Kenyans in Diaspora which are Jijenge Investment Plan that supports periodic accumulation of capital. The plan guarantees returns over the term of the contract period of 12 years while enjoying a minimum life cover. The other one is Jipange Pension plan which is designed to ensure financial independence in old age so that one’s lifestyle is not compromised in their less active years. The plan will provide pension for those who do not qualify for pension in the Diaspora for various reasons. There are plans in the next few weeks to introduce Medical product for the parents of the Kenyans in Diaspora to cover for hospitalization and Funeral cover to insure the Diaspora in case of death. The two products are among many products in the works.
 Mr.Nelson Kuria.Managing Director of Cooperative Insurance Company
Website- http://www.cicdiaspora.co.ke/
The main speaker at the conference was Bishop David Oginde of CITAM (Christ is the Answer Ministry) and one of the messages he preached was “Beyond Ebenezer”. He told the Kenyans in America that Ebenezer is not a destination but a check point; it is a stanza in a song, a break in a game, a pause in a story, an interlude in a long movie whose end and outcome is not yet known. He reminded them that the journey is still not ended and that they have not come to the destination and that they have a long way to the get to the destination.
Other speakers were Rev.Beatrice Ndura of Pinnacle of Praise Ministries and the Director of Safe Harbor Christian Counseling in Lancaster PA; she is the Author of “A woman of Influence”. Dr.Joseph Okello, an assistant Professor of Philosophy at Ashbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore Kentucky.Dr.John M.Njoroge, a member of the speaking team at Ravi Zacharias International Ministries in Atlanta Georgia. Pastor Kenyatta Jackson, a youth pastor and a volunteer at the Juvenile Detention Center of Newport News and Hampton Virginia and Ms Nellie Odhuni-Shani the Author of “Stand your Ground: Perishing for Lack of Knowledge”
 Bishop David Oginde with Rev.Peter Osano
The Conference was very well organized with many activities for children, Youth and Adults. Both the youth and the children had structured programs with facilitators who ensured the smooth running of the programs. Sunday July 4th was the most exciting day which started with an outdoor picnic lunch, followed by The Amazing Race competition where teams comprising local chapters competed in various games. The day ended with a black tie Dinner where the fun was in the dressing as people came dressed in their best. The guest of honor at the dinner was H.E.Ambassador Muburi Muita who took the opportunity to explain about the Draft constitution. Alabama Chapter scooped the first place in the Amazing Race Competition, Baltimore was second and Washington DC Chapter was 3rd.They were given awards for 1st, 2nd and 3rd position respectively.
This year’s conference was the best said one participant “I hope they will include the picnic and the Amazing race next year and years to come because it was more exciting this year than all the years I have been coming” It was good to see so many Kenyans gathered in one place as they did in James Madison University, there was a show of unity, there was diverse representation, there was love for one another. It was a utopia of what Kenya should be.
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