..:Kenyan Community in Ontario:..

Madaraka Day 2003

Updates Coming Soon

Jamhuri Day 2003

Updates Coming Soon

Madaraka Day 2004

Updates Coming Soon

Jamhuri Day 2005

The Kenyan Community in Ontario's (KCO) GTA 2005 Jamhuri Day party/ annual general meeting, where a group of new members were also elected to the KCO board, took place at Lithuanian Banquet Hall, 1573 Bloor St. W., Toronto, Canada, on Saturday December 10, 2005.
The event was graced by the presence of The Kenya High Commissioner to Canada, His Excellency P. N. Rateng Ogego, who gave the keynote speech. Although some Kenyans stayed at home, those who paid the $25 cover charge and braved the cold weather to attend the event were treated to good entertainment, dinner and dance.
They got a chance to hear presentations on how HIV/AIDS programs in Kenya are making a difference and make a donation to AMREF’s HIV/AIDS programs in Kenya. KCO donated all proceeds from the event to AMREF Kenya for this purpose.

For more photos, visit:
http://www.theafricandiaspora.com/photovideos/categories.php?cat_id=38 (Courtesy of Nyamweya Osoro)

KCO fundraiser event in aid of the draught victims in arid and semi arid regions of Kenya

Please follow the link below to view the full photographic coverage of the Kenya Community in Ontario’s (“KCO”) fundraiser that took place on Saturday January 21, 2006 at Metro Hall in Toronto, Canada

http://www.theafricandiaspora.com/photovideos/categories.php?cat_id=39 (Courtesy of Nyamweya Osoro)

The fundraiser was held in partnership with the Canadian Red Cross and sponsored by Western Union. The event went off without a hitch and a total of $3,137 was raised for the worthy cause. H.E. Peter Ogego, Kenya’s High Commissioner for Canada and Cuba brought $500 from himself, friends and the High Commission employees in Ottawa. Those who were present seemed to be pleased with the High Commissioner’s efforts that they topped his donation by an additional amount of $257. Let the pictures speak for themselves.

KCO Mother’s Day Dinner – May 13, 2006

The 2006 KCO Mother's Day dinner and dance took place on May 13, 2006 at Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Mississauga , Ontario , Canada . The event, which started at 6:00 pm, also doubled as re-launch party for the new and improved "KCO Women's Forum".

http://www.theafricandiaspora.com/photovideos/categories.php?cat_id=60 (Courtesy of Nyamweya Osoro)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photovideos/tags/2006mothersday/

Farewell Party for Outgoing Kenyan High Commissioner to Canada, His Excellency Peter Ogego – July 29, 2006

On Saturday July 29, 2006, KCO members and friends of Kenya in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) attended a farewell party for the outgoing Kenyan High Commissioner to Canada, His Excellency Peter Ogego that took place at Four Points Sheraton Hotel in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.

After about two and half years in Canada Mr. Ogego was moving to the United States to become Kenya's Ambassador to that country. His last day in Canada was August 13, 2006.

In his speech, Mr. Ogego thanked Kenyans in Canada for the assistance they gave him in achieving his mandate in Canada. The High Commissioner challenged Kenyans in Canada to get actively involved in the Canadian cultural mosaic and stamp a lasting impression on Canada that is uniquely Kenyan. He suggested that Kenyans in Canada should get involved in Canadian politics even at the civic level and by getting organized to harness their political power.
Dr Charles Mayenga, immediate past president of KCO, warmly accepted the High Commissioner's challenges and promised that KCO members are up to the challenges. Others who gave speeches were Joel Chacha, Mathew Njenga, Joyce Misoi, President of the Canada-Kenya Chamber of Commerce, and Ben Ondoro, KCO president.

The event was also graced by the attendance of the Kenyan Cricket team (wearing green t-shirts in the photos) in town for the Intercontinental Cup matches.

Sam Kutondo and Perez Oyugi were the emcees for the event, kudos for a job well done.

http://www.theafricandiaspora.com/photovideos/categories.php?cat_id=63 (Courtesy of Nyamweya Osoro)

KCO Family Summer BBQ – August 05, 2006

2006 GTA Family Summer BBQ

Once again Kenyan Community in Ontario's (KCO) GTA 2006 Family Summer BBQ was held on Saturday August 5, 2006 at Richards Memorial Park – Picnic Area A, 804 Lakeshore Road West in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Despite the fact that Caribana was taking place on the same date many who attended, some of them from the United States, enjoyed the activities at the annual event, which featured the traditional meat and corn roasting and other refreshments.
The KCO youth had a good time playing various games, including just trying to keep cool in the hot temperatures. For most, the location of the event, on the shores of Lake Ontario made the hot temperatures bearable.

2006-08-05 - KCO's GTA 2006 Family Summer BBQ
Click on the small pictures (thumbnails) to view their larger versions

Children’s Christmas Party 2006

The Kenya Community in Ontario (KCO) hosted its first Christmas Party for Kenyan children on Sunday December 17, 2006, between 12:00 and 4:00 pm. The party was held at 35 Finch Avenue East , in Toronto , Canada and all children under the age of 13 years were admitted provided that children still in diapers were accompanied by a parent/guardian. The organizers promised a nut-free environment and were willing to give medication if required. The children were treated to a lot of fun including a visit by the South Pole Santa Claus, popularly known as Father Christmas. The organizers included the tireless KCO board member Irene Wandili.

For photos of this event go to

http://www.theafric andiaspora. com/photovideos/ categories. php?cat_id= 71

Jamhuri Day 2006

On Saturday, December 9, 2006 Kenyans in Ontario, Canada held celebrations at a gala party to mark Kenya's 43rd Independence Day, the Jamhuri Day, which is formally on December 12th. The event was held at the new African-themed Manyata restaurant in downtown Toronto, located at 55 Avenue Road. The event, which was organized by the Kenyan Community in Ontario (KCO), was graced by the presence of the new Kenyan High Commissioner to Canada, Her Excellency Prof. Judith Mbula Bahemuka.

For the full photographic coverage of this event please see:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photovideos/tags/2006/page2/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photovideos/archives/date-taken/2006/12/09/

Mother’s Day Dinner - Launch of KCO Women’s Forum Scholarship Fund – May 12, 2007

The 2007 KCO Mother's Day dinner and dance took place Saturday May 12, 2007 at Maple Banquet Hall, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. The event also marked the launch of KCO Women’s Forum Scholarship Fund.
The co-keynote speakers were Prof. Njoki Wane, an associate professor at the University of Toronto’s Ontario Institute of Studies in Education (OISE) and Mrs. Sandra Cornegie-Douglas, President of the Jamaican-Canadian Association. Other speakers included Jayne Rop-Weller and Ben Ondoro, the KCO president.

The event was emceed by Catherine Gatere and Grace Mwawasi, while the entertainment was provided by dancers, Ngoma Girls and DJs Paul Ochieng and Charles Otieno.

Kudos to the KCO Women's Forum member organizers including Irene Wandili, Catherine Gatere, Grace Mwawasi, Jayne Rop-Weller and others for the excellent job done organizing the event.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/photovideos/sets/72157600212017376/?page=3