Kenya Flag Raising held in Brampton

INAUGURAL KENYA FLAG RAISING CEREMONY AND 56TH KENYA INDEPENDENCE DAY CELEBRATION IN BRAMPTON

Brampton, Ontario - December 14, 2019

The inaugural Kenya Flag Raising Ceremony and 56th Kenya Independence Day Celebration took place on Saturday December 14th 2019 at Brampton City Hall in Ontario, Canada. Brampton, located in the Greater Toronto Area, is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada. The colorful event was a major milestone for Kenyans Living in Canada as the Kenyan Flag was raised for the first time by a Canadian Government in honor of Kenyan Canadians contribution to the Canadian Society. The flag will stay hoisted for two weeks from December 14th 2019.

The Mayor of Brampton His Worship Patrick Brown on behalf of the City Council also issued an official Proclamation recognizing December 12 as Kenya Independence Day in the City of Brampton.

Some of the special guests who graced the occasion included Brampton North Member of Parliament Hon. Ruby Sahota, Brampton South Member of Parliament Hon. Sonia Sidhu, Kenya Mission to Canada's Honorary Consul Mr. Sunir Chandaria, MPP Brampton South Kevin Yarde, MPP York South—Weston Faisal Hassan, Brampton Wards 7 & 8 City Councillor Charmaine Williams, African Canadian Social Development Council President Kabu Asante among others.

The City of Brampton through the Mayor's office awarded 5 Kenyan Canadians for outstanding Community Service in the Region of Peel. Mr. Stan Barua a world-class cinematographer, Mr. Everett Wakoli President of Abeingo Association Canada, Ms. Phoebe Kagumba-Sibanda a three-time Club President of Mississauga Cooksville Lions Club who is currently a Zone Chair under the Lions Clubs International, Ms. Wambui Karanja the Founder and Executive Director of African Community Services of Peel and Mr. Thomas Nzyimi a philanthropist who supports local food charities and newcomers.

The event was organized by Kenyan Canadian Association (KCA) in collaboration with Brampton Mayor's office. "We are very grateful for the continued support our organization has been getting from various stakeholders and partners including Government, strategic partners, donors and sponsors who have made this historic event possible. Some of our event sponsors included Centum Real Estate, Kericho Gold, Optiven Group, Tumaini Nurses International, Max International, Fitashe Grocery Store and Fatma Nadhir Homes, Right at Home and Heart Lake Run." said KCA President Mr. Ephraim Mwaura.

"KCA plans to work closely with Kenya Mission in Canada as well as the various levels of Canadian Government to roll out ambitious programs that will uplift the welfare of Kenyan Canadians especially the integration of newcomers to the society." added Mwaura.

Kenyan Canadian Association is a federal not-for-profit organization that seeks to address the issues affecting Canadians of Kenyan origin while assisting newcomers to settle and make a positive contribution in the society as they endeavor to achieve their goals.

KCA also focuses on implementing programs and offering services to newcomers, low-income families, visible minorities and communities of African descent or origin residing in Canada to improve their personal well-being and social-economic status. Its programs include Women & Gender, Health, Newcomer Settlement, Sports & Recreation, Socio-Economic Empowerment, Youth Outreach, Arts & Culture as well as Education & Career.