Kenyans from several UK towns and cities recently came together for the End of Year Black Tie Ball at the Allesley Hotel, Coventry.
Paul Mwai was the headline artist at the event also known as the Winter Ball 2012.
All who attended the party including leading figures have said that it was not only the “Event of the Year” but the best Kenyan event in the UK they had ever attended.
Upon arrival, guests were ushered into a drinks reception hall before being invited to dinner. The sitting arrangement was themed on Kenyan towns and cities, ranging from Ngong to Elgon and Nairobi to Kilimanjaro among others.
Every guest was allocated a table with a printed sitting plan being placed at the dinner hall entrance. Each guest was ushered to their table by the organisers themselves, offering each one a VIP treatment.
The setting shouted class with beautiful red gloss marble floor and matching chandeliers.
In every event where food is involved, it underscores the level of effort the organiser employs to impress and satisfy the guests.
The three-course buffet menu was a careful combination of Kenyan, Asian and Western food with a twist of Caribbean.
After dinner came a fashion show with each table nominating a best dressed male and female as contestants. This turned out to be the icing on the cake with guest singer Paul Mwai also being nominated.
It was hilarious, culminating with a dance-off final for men. The winners got a free photoshoot each, courtesy of Studio 77 Event Photography. This was made even more entertaining by the Toast Master for the evening, Pastor Raphael with his hilarious sense of humour.
As a mark of recognition, a handful of selected Kenyans were presented with a Kenya Community Champion Award for their outstanding service to the community in different regions across the UK.
The awards were presented by the panel of the organising unit (Eunice Munyi, Nancy Muchiri, Dancun Gachani, Steve Musa, Njehu Gichini and John Githae).
Mrs Jane Njiiri, wife of Mr Seed, was awarded for her untold behind the scenes support and encouragement to Kenyan women and especially her inspiring devotional column, “Word of Today” on www.misterseed.com.
Mr. Jack Waiyaki was awarded for his tireless work in twining Kenyan athletic prowess to schools and local communities here in the UK. He is also the Chairman of Kenya Bedfordshire Community and has used athletics to promote Kenya abroad.
Mrs Jane Kiguru Wamae was recognised for constantly challenging Kenyans to learn to enjoy their lives and to relate well as brothers and sisters. Mrs Wamae is the founder of Kenya Community Rebuild and the sister organisation, Transglobe Capital in the UK.
Pastor Agnes Kimani was awarded for her honest approach in shaping young girls and boys into respectable people and her ever presence at Kenyan functions to offer support.
Kenya Nottingham Welfare Association (KNWA) was awarded for being an outstanding Kenyan Association in the UK. Formed in the spring of 2010, KNWA was the first to host the official national day celebrations outside of London when they hosted Mashujaa Day 2012.
The Bristol based Anna Njoroge was awarded for being an example of a local “Town Crier”. She has been an access point to Kenyans in Bristol. Ms Njoroge has helped organise many Kenyan events in Bristol and has created a platform for information sharing locally.
Others who were awarded were Lady Salome Mwangi – a very prayerful woman and a source of inspiration to many Kenyans in Luton and beyond; and Pastor Dancun Mwirigi of Northampton – for his selfless work of informing and standing in the gap within the Kenya community in Northampton.
