Kenyan Cultural festival to promote 3 counties of South Eastern Kenya

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By Sam Mwaura/Samrack media
Over 250 Guests from the 42 tribes of Kenya and the International community came together at the Best Western Hotel in Massachusetts to a cultural festival branded.”Our culture at a glance”

This Cultural festival was geared towards promoting the tourism potential of the 3 counties of South Eastern Kenya home to Kitui,Machakos and Makueni.

This event had a goal of showcasing the Akamba Culture to the children born in the Diaspora and the International community.
Over 26 different authentic meals were served in this festival.

Culture was displayed through fashion-shows where 20 models picked from different Kenyan communities and neighboring Uganda were able to show case different African Attires.

Dress and design by the Afrisent sentimental fashion house.
Guests were also entertained by a live band.

And educated on investment opportunities in the region which have emerged due to the devolution by Dr. Ebenezer Kilonzo, who highlighted among other things drying of fruits for sell when they our of season mentioning that food processing companies are highly needed in the region, needed also are tractors caterpillars and equipment for sinking boreholes.

Offices are also needed in the three counties and with the devolution housing will continue to be in greatly needed in the region said Dr. Kilonzo.

The other was on health by Ole Pertet who shared from his story on how he has battled cancer successfully.

Key note speaker Prof. Makau Mutua Dean Sunny Law School highlighted on the political situation in Kenya sharing some of the possible solutions. Prof. took questions from the guests and engaged them in a conversation of how we can have a better and more unified country.

One of the saddest things that happen in Ukambani is that year after year, farmers go to the fields work very hard,with the hope that the rains will carry their crops through.
Only for it to stop raining in the midst of the season, the farmers then watch with pain as their crops dry one by one with no harvest and this is after a lot of time, hard earned money and hope has been invested,this leaves many with no food, and unable to meet their basic needs not because they are lazy but because their only form of income been failed by nature.

The Akamba Community in New England, through this dinner were able to suggest several solution to the residents of South Eastern Kenya.

1)Packaging culture as a vehicle of economic empowerment.

2)Investing in tourism like building hotels in the different prominent places in Ukambani such as the Makongo road, Ivia ya nzambani and proper marketing of the ones that are already in existence like the Oldonyo Sabuk.

3) Professional Training of cultural entrepreneurs equipping them with skills and techniques needed to run successful creative enterprises, increasing visibility of cultural goods such as sculptures for which the Akamba community are good at,Develop Artistic and creative skills of individuals and social groups, raise greater awareness about the role and value of culture through cultural festivals where some of these products can be sold.
This is why the Akamba community in the diaspora feels a need to educate the residents of South Eastern Kenya on a diversified live hood.
This event was sponsored by among others the Diaspora Sacco, run with Kenyans, Mizizi, local churches, Afrisent to mention but a few.

The event was organized by Akamba In New England Association (A.N.E A)
A.N.E.A is a registered organization and a community of members who come together to support each other in times of need such as loss of loved ones, we are also a support each other noted the president of the Organization Ms. Carolyn Musyimi in times of celebrations like weddings, graduations and other life milestones like launching of books, opening of businesses and churches to mention but a few.

We aspire to be a part of eradication of extreme poverty in South Eastern Kenya. A.N.E.A empowers members in areas such as health, law, insurance, wealth creation and investments. A.N.E.A also networks members with members of other organizations with similar goals, the wider Kenyan community and the International community.

Our Mission
Building a progressive and unified community in the New England region for Social, political, economic, cultural empowerment of the members and joining forces with other organizations and stakeholders by leveraging our resources to eradicate extreme poverty in South Eastern Kenya.
Our Vision
To be a unified, inclusive community and a partner in developing South Eastern Kenya.