Activities

£6,000 for famine relief in London

CAP successfully launched its fundraising appeal for Kenyans affected by the famine on Saturday 14 August at the Royal National Hotel, London. Participants included Kenyans and friends of Kenya. £6000 was raised. The money will be channelled through the Save A life Initiative in Kenya. Speakers during the function included  a lecturer, Dr. Wangui wa Goro, Pastor Osano, Mr. Musyoka who represented the Kenya High commissioner, HE Joe Muchemi, Mr. Sam Ochieng of SACOMA, Ms. Rebeccah Karanja of Kenya Club,  Agnes Gitau, Businessmen Gatheru Rwamba and Mr Mwenda. A Kenyan children’s choir and the Bomas of Kenya provided entertainment. Bomas of Kenya acrobatic and dancers team currently in the UK stopped the venue with swahili songs to the excitement of the guests. Other guests in the hotel joined the venue for the entertainment which was done to the excitement of many who have never seen such performance before. Notably was the absence of pastors, community leaders and professionals. With over 64,000 Kenyans in the UK the low turnout showed luck of interest with Kenyans towards this good course. It was not clear whether it was something to do with internal politics, wrong timings, the venue or lack of interest. The appeal has gathered pace and the organisers (CAP) are  expecting to receive more funds from donations through the website and cheques. Please visit their  website at www.caprogramme.org for more information on how to join this noble campaign.

Speakers at the Function

Dr. Wangui wa Goro	Mr Gatheru Rwamba	Mr. David Musyoka of Kenya	Mr. Sam Ochieng of Sacoma

The Bomas of Kenya team off the stage as they toured London on Sunday 15th August, 2004. The team was given a good tour around London by Mr. Steve Kimemia (far right) a lecturer at the University of Manchester together with Mr. Rwamba (fourth right)

Africa should aim to be self dependent , says Kenya’s envoy

By Gitau wa Njenga in London, Monday

Africa should aim to be self dependent and not always relying on foreign aid, Kenyan High Commissioner to the UK, Mr Joseph Muchemi  said  on Saturday 24th July, 2004. Mr Muchemi noted that Asian Tiger economies are a real story of those who have broken the yolk of this over dependence on Aid. Mr Muchemi  made the remarks when  he presented  training kits to Ligi Ndogo Planets Football team that represented  Kenya in the Annual Youth Umbro International Cup 2004  in Manchester from 21-24th July. Mr Muchemi observed that Kenyans living or travelling   are the  real ambassadors of  Kenya and appealed to them to play a positive role in the development of  our country. Mr. Muchemi promised to liase with necessary government authority in Kenya, and  businesses in UK to see how the youth programme could be promoted. The Kenyan team reached the semi finals in the tournament that saw 400 Youth teams representing 20 countries participating. The winners of the tournament were Wimslow Sports JFC of Cheshire, North West England.

Kenya High Commissioner in the UK Mr. Joseph Muchemi presenting football kits to one of the Ligi Ndogo members in Manchester	All the way from the land of "hakuna matata" - a group photo of the Ligi Ndogo - notably is the white boy in the middle - are there white boys in Mathare?
The two teams posing with the Kenya high Commissioner Mr. Joseph Muchemi and his wife Cecilia Muchemi and Mr. Gatheru Rwamba	Mr. Kimemia (third right) helping the Kenya High commissioner Mr. Joseph Muchemi (second right) to present the football kits to the team

The training kits were donated by CAP (Community Advancement Programme), an organisation based in UK with the main objective of sourcing resources for deserving causes in Kenya. Ligi Ndogo is a Kenyan Youth football clubs league, comprising young players 9-17 years old)  largely drawn from youth teams from the disadvantaged parts of Nairobi including Mathare, Kariobangi and Kibera. “You have done Kenya proud  and with a good management, and necessary support, we are confident that we are likely to see some Kenyans playing in the UK Premiership in the near future ” said Mrs  Cecilia Muchemi. Speaking during the occasion, the Chairman of CAP, Businessman Gatheru Rwamba indicated that there are many good donors all over the world who are willing to support causes like youth Development. “We are happy to add Ligi Ndogo as one of the several worthy and deserving projects we currently support in Kenya”, said Mr Rwamba Mr Rwamba was accompanied by one of the Trustees of CAP, Mr. Stephen Kimemia Q.C.  Mr. Kimemia appealed to the government to hasten repossession of grabbed land meant for social amenities and distribute the same to those who are running youth activities, mainly in the urban centres. CAP will not only be kitting the Ligi Ndogo teams, but also sponsoring their annual league tournaments. CAP which has two offices, one in Manchester and the other one in London is also organising for a Grand Famine Relief Fundraiser event to be held in the first half of August. Further details will be available in Newspapers and their website at www.caprogramme.org by Friday 30th July, 2004.