ST LOUISE MARKED MASHUJAA CELEBRATIONS IN STYLE WITH H.E Amb. ODEMBO

By Jeffjeff for Connection33

Kenyan Community of St Louis was honored to be the first Community in US to celebrate Mashujaa Day under the New Kenya Constitution. Kenyan Community of St. Louis celebrated Mashujaa Day on October 16the with Kenya Ambassador, H.E Hon. Elkanah Odembo as the Keynote speaker. Among other invited speakers includes; Dr Milton Ochieng of Lwala Alliance, James Sean Devin, Founder and CEO of James Devin Group. Other officials accompanying Ambassador to St. Louis were the First Secretary Nairima Olesien and Joyce Gacuga

Kenya Ambassador trip to St Louis begun on Thursday 14th when he landed at Lambert Airport and proceeded directly to Connection33 Network Business Center


where he met KCSTL board official s and Event committee. After the briefing, Ambassador Odembo, Olesein, KCSTL president, Mr Okumu and KCSTL Chairman, Mr. Geoffrey Soyiantet all headed straight to Vantage Credit Union, Bridgeton Branch. They were received by Vantage President/ CEO Mr. Hubert H. Hoosman, Jr and Jennifer Allemann, Public Relation Specialist.

Mr. Hubert and Ambassador Odembo discussed at length about economic challenges affecting businesses and many people who are trying to build their credit history. Ambassador also discovered that Mr. Hubert has worked with various organizations in Africa and in particular Strathmore College. He said , with over 17 branches in Missouri, Vantage is willing to work with Kenya Community of St Louis to address community financial and investments needs. Vantage donated $300 towards Mashujaa Celebrations. Vantage Credit Union is a non-profit organization with over 17 branches and has been in business since 1957

From Bridgetom, Ambassador and KCSTL officials drove straight to Southern Illinois Edwrdsville(SIUE) for a luncheon with the Chancellor, Director of international programs, Dr. Ronald Schafer, various schools heads and two Kenyan Students with average GPA of 4.0. The two students were Mr. Mnyapara and Grace Nduthu. In the evening, Ambassador met with Kenyan and African Students at Atrium of the Engineering Building for round table discussion.

 Friday October 15th was a busy day for the Ambassador Odembo at Washington University. His first meeting was at 8.00am with Gary Wihl, Dean of the Faculty of Arts & sciences, followed by a series of meetings with various school heads. Congressman Lacy Clay joined the Ambassador at 10.00am. The two had a round table talk on Kenya new constitution, which went to effect on Aust 27th this year. Congressman Clay expressed interest to work with Kenyan Community of St Louis and Kenya Embassy. Later in the day Ambassador addressed Washington University students on Kenya’s New Constitution: What it means, the Lessons Learned, and the Challenges Ahead. Dr. Mungai Mutonya helped coordinate Ambassador Visit to Washington University.

After a busy day, Hon. Odembo joined other Kenyans for a dinner party at Embassy Suites as a tradition with Kenyan Community of St Louis. In the past a similar dinner party was organized for Hon. Zachary Muita and Mr Jimna Mbaru, Chairman, Nairobi Stock Exchange. Hon. Odembo addressed over 100 people who attented the dinner party. He commended the organizers for the good work and thanked Kenyan Community in St. Louis for their unity and rallying behind their leaders to make the event a big success.

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The Climax of Ambassador trip to St. Louis was on Saturday October 16th which started with a youth soccer match, St Louis United vs Edwardsville All-Stars. The captivating match ended 5-2; St. Louis United emerging as winners. H.E Amb. Odembo and KCSTL Board Chairman, Geoffrey Soyiantet presented trophy to the soccer winning team. The trophy for the winning team was donated by Mayor of Florissant Mr. Robert Lowery. Hon. Odembo was awarded the Key to the City by Mayor Robert Lowery. Mr. Sebastian Mwangi was the MC and through his eloquent skills of communication and sense of humor, he kept the crowd lively and engaging till the end.

This year ceremony turned out to be a life changing event with many Kenyans expressing the need to pull resources together and investing in others. Among those who had booth display includes; Stan Mbugua with Poa pay, Ken Kariuki with Farmers Insurance, Mr. Wangendo Waruimbo Equity Agent from Seato, Magdaline with Organo Coffee, James Mwangi with Connection Network, Rose Mwangi with Premerica, Morris Wakapa with Kenya Funeral Assurance, Mika with When You Require webhosting and Clear internet, Mr Hassan with Eat More International, Ken Muthurania with Kentunes and Tam Tam Restaurant.

Mr. E.K Mbugua told Connection33 media that “We are now represented in all business sectors starting from trucking logistics to money transfer. Kenyan population in St Louis is large enough to sustain any business and strong enough to make a case with financial institutions and local authority”

Devin James, a Brand Strategist, Motivational Speaker and Founder of the Devin James Group, highlighted his 7 Personal Branding Secrets for Success. Mr Devin illustrated how the 7 Personal Branding Career Secrets for Success are a solution to career hopelessness which aid in identifying, redefining and positioning what your personal brand stands for. His message was very inspiring that Hon. Odembo requested him to make a trip to DC and give a similar presentation to staff at the Embassy.

Hon. Odembo addressed Kenyans, guests and exhibitors present. In his message, Ambassador Odembo urged Kenyans to work together supporting each other and talking good things about their community. He told Kenyans to take advantage of current technology of Poapay money transfer to support people and invest in Kenya. He challenged Kenyans in Diaspora to emulate what sons of lwala have done to Lwala community in Kenya. “If these two young men have done it, you too can do it”, he said.

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H.E Amb. Odembo lauched Kenya Funeral Assurance (KFA) whose headquarter is based in St Louis, Missouri. Kenya Funeral Assurance brings one valued product to Kenyan Community in America. Hon. Odembo stressed the need to work together and to support Kenyan owned business because this is the only way to empower our community. Ambassador Odembo urged Kenyans to join KFA in large numbers without delay. KFA received the first check of $1000 from Pastor Paul Macharia of Christ Covenant Church.

For only$119 per year, one is guaranteed a descent burial in Kenya in case he or she happens to die in US.  H.E Amb. Odembo summarized his message to Kenyans in Diaspora in the following words;.

"My message to all Kenyans in Diaspora is Organize, Organize and Organize!!!
Do the right thing and do it well. Let us realise and cultivate the potential we have within ourselves.
Kenya Funeral Assurance is one organized agency which will care and cater for Kenyans in Diaspora.
it is a good thing, and it is doable. Seize the opportunity."
 ..Amb Odembo....

Sponsors of this event includes; Vantage Credit Union, Eat More International, Poa pay, American Family Insurance, Farmers Insurance, When You Require, Connection33, Equity Bank, and Bauer Realty with Zelli Githui, Seema Enterprises and others.