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A Resounding Success!

There is no better way to describe the 87th District Conference and Assembly as it came to a colourful close on Saturday afternoon at KICC’s Tsavo Ballroom.

The conference which saw the entry of the first and last female DG of the District was indeed historical; a spectacle recognized by not just one but almost all the guest speakers that graced the conference.

DGE Geeta Manek, also known as Mama Rotary in Kenya and“Nalongo’-the mother of twins- in Uganda, owing from the anticipated 2013 split took time to thank all the Rotarians and guests who attended and took the opportunity to officially invite everyone present to the 88th District Conference and Assembly that will be held in Mombasa, Kenya.
Close to 1500 delegates attended the three-day conference to celebrate the second last District Conference and Assembly, both being notable milestones within the district and the wider rotary family.

The incoming DG also emphasized on the importance of Rotarians turning out in their numbers for the upcoming conference in Mombasa and promised them an even wonderful experience especially due to the scenic beauty of the Kenyan coast.

Delegates dressed with finesse were vibrant and lively with occasions where the visiting Ugandan Rotarians filled the magnificent Tsavo Ballroom with thunderous applauds every time their country was mentioned. There was no day the conference did not live up to its billing.

Full of spectacular scenes, the delegates were treated to even more rare moments when the conference’s proceedings were shortly disrupted on the third day by the presence of Asha Zulu Mandela, the Guinness Book of World Records title holder for the longest hair. A non-Rotarian, Ms. Asha had been invited to greet the wonderful delegates.

Impressive speakers lined up for the conference did not also disappoint with seasoned Rotarians and key personalities giving remarkable speeches and experiences as they emphasized on the place of Rotary in the community. H.E the Vice President of the Republic of Kenya and Minister for Home Affairs, Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, who was given an honorary membership and named an official alumnus of Rotary International, expressed his satisfaction with the work that Rotary has been doing and championed its motto.

The Attorney General, Prof. Githu Muigai and Mr. Mugo Kibati, the Director General, Vision 2030 Delivery Secretariat also addressed the 87th DCA.

The last day was indeed made even more remarkable by a speech from Sabrina Meharali on new generation and the future of young people in Rotaract Clubs. Urging Rotarians to give Rotaractors a chance to get involved in District Conferences and Assemblies, she added that youth empowerment is contagious and useful to the future of Rotary International.

“Give Rotaractors a chance to get involved in DCAs. I have addressed Rotarians at a young age and it is a nice feeling. Give it to other Rotaractors please,” she said.

Presentation of the District Accounts 2009-10, District Accounts 2011-12 and the Budget 2012-13 were also done as DG Eric Kimani presented District Awards to different Rotary Clubs and individuals towards the end of the conference.
The RI President Representative then officially closed the 87th District Conference and Assembly.

As most delegates waited for the DG’s Banquet, others left with the 88th District Conference and Assembly in Mombasa, Kenya with its scenic beauty lingering in their minds with all it has to offer.

But the 87th DCA could only be summed as A Resounding Success.

Editor’s Note

We thank all the delegates for attending the 87th DCA in Nairobi. We believe the conference was rewarding and special especially for those attending the conference for the first time.

The conference is a learning time through sharing, interaction and networking. It is the time when Rotarians in the district access their contributions to their communities and renew their passion for service.

The conference is over but before you go home, take time to visit our world famous tourist attractions. Some are within the precincts of the city; you can’t get this anywhere else.

Finally, remember to read all the 87th DCA conference bulletins which have been posted on the D9200 website (www.districtconference.rotary9200.org).

Let’s meet at the 88th DCA in Mombasa in April 2013.

Catherine Mogambi
PP – Rotary Club of Milimani

Peace, on our minds

When he was called on to the stage to talk about the very sensitive issue of peace within the countries that comprise the District and the region generally, Lt General (Rtd) Lazarus Sumbeiyo was quick to note that Rotary International has greatly contributed towards the peace initiatives and also commended the timeliness of the spirit of next year's motto; "Peace through Service".

The General touched on the current peace situations in the countries of the Region in and out of the D9200 District.

"Our region is not short of conflict thus making long lasting peace a very rare occurrence and we are yet to enjoy peace in our region…", he remarked.

He talked about the peace situation in Burundi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Djibouti, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Sudan and Uganda.

Classified as a fragile state by the UN, Burundi now enjoys relative peace despite having a really high population and scarce resources. Eritrea on the other hand endured 30 years of war before 1991 and there after a border war with Ethiopia, between May 1998 to June 2000, over territory that only resulted in minor boundary changes after lives were lost and millions of dollars wasted.

On the other hand, the rebellion group OMF continues to be a thorn in Ethiopia governments flesh but despite their own trouble, the country has offered to help other nations in conflict like Somalia by sending in their troops for peace keeping. Former French colony Djibouti has also had its fair share of conflict with Somalia, who was claiming part of her territory; it has an excellent small port and has been relatively stable.

Chinua Achebe in his world famous "Things Fall Apart" captured best the departure of Siad Barre. The country was fragmented by warlords and is often termed as a failed state. The African Union, European Union among others have shown interest in ensuring proper governance and peace in Somalia and we all should do more.

On the other hand, Sudan faced 21years of civil war and 50 years of conflict and the split of the Nation to form the South Sudan on the 9th July 2011, based on the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) which was seen as the end to conflict.

However, the threat of conflict has broken out and this is as a result of improper implementation of the CPA and the fight over crucial resources like oil.

Kenya, once seen as an island of peace and economic powerhouse of the region faced its fair share of conflict during the Post Election Violence after the disputed 2007 General elections. The county was saved by a Peace Accord signed between the conflicting leaders in February 2008 and the country is now in the process of implementing a new constitution and its economy has continued to stabilise. The country is also in the forefront of ensuring peace in the region by deploying troops to Somalia and Southern Sudan.

Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda have enjoyed relative peace over the past few years and thus we must celebrate the fact that the area is not completely unstable.

In parting, the former soldier emphasised the need to treat the issue of peace as paramount and pointed out that Rotary International is a leading example of how the region and the world as a whole can work together peacefully.

Making history at District 9200

By John Mwanthi

"This gathering is historic". These were the words of the Guest of Honour, H.E the Vice President of the Republic of Kenya and Minister for Home Affairs Hon. Kalonzo Musyoka, while officially opening the 87th Rotary International District 9200 Conference and Assembly at the KICC, Nairobi.

The conference which brings together Rotarians and guests from all over the D9200 and other sections around the world was a remarkable sight. Rotarians, adorned in Rotary International customized Maasai Shukas, had earlier kick started the day with a City Rotary Public Relations Walk.

In his speech, the VP affirmed that Kenya is lucky to host the conference. He was given an honorary membership and named an official alumnus of Rotary International, having been a Rotarian of the Rotary Club of Nairobi in the early 80's. In his words, political leaders need to uphold the RI motto of Service above Self,

"We all have to internalize the motto.... by living the Rotary life, everybody else becomes a brother." he said.

Whilst referring to the warring Sudanese nations, the V.P. urged all the Rotarians present to keep sending messages to Juba and Khartoum, to remind the two countries that peace can only prevail when they first agree to put down arms.

He thanked RI for the continued partnership with the Kenya government in eradicating poverty and disease especially the polio campaign. He also remarked how the Rotary family has gone ahead to set the pace for regional integration, at a time when the government was upping the ante for integration in the East African region.

DG Eric Kimani, a holder of the Order of the Moran of Burning Spear from the President of Kenya in recognition of his efforts towards nation-building, was introduced by the PDG Yusuf K. Dawood and welcomed all visiting Rotarians to Nairobi and urged all Kenyan Rotarians to take a friend for a drink or the customary 'nyama choma' delicacy. He invited guests to have a taste of Kenya's first superhighway and the Safari cats at the worldfamous Safari Park Hotel.

The DG made history by becoming the first Kenyan Governor of District 9200 and was happy to be the first and last governor of District 9200 handing over to the first and last governor of District 9200, a riddle he posed to an anxious Rotarian audience.

Well, you see, Eric Kimani is the first indigenous District Governor of D9200 and he hands over to Geeta Manek, the first woman District Governor of D9200… and perhaps the last, since come July 2013 the District will be delineated into two; 9211 and 9212.

The Conference Chairperson, Richard Omwela also promised a very enjoyable program in the hours and days to come and promised 'a memorable conference'.

While introducing the RI President's Personal Representative, Dr. Anne Matthews, PDG Yusuf K. Dawood took a moment to remind her that people who have previously done her job have always moved to higher positions; a stunning oracle.

Despite these being her fourth or fifth time, it still felt like her first time in Africa- something that District 9200 and Kenya should be proud of.

"You have not met the real Africa, this is the real Africa", proclaimed Dr. Anne Matthews as she spoke of Kenya and her hospitality adding that her peoples are "hospitable, gracious, kind to people" something that made her " feel so at home".

She happily reported that everyone at the RI speaks of 9200 as a great District and that the District was making history.

The last born in a Catholic family of 15 children, 8 boys and 7 girls, Dr. Anne recounted how her early childhood gradually influenced her into Rotary. She grew up with the boys and on their front yard fell in love with football, basketball and baseball. She promised to come back in another part and world as a football coach.

"My mom would always say to me 'Honey, you can never give anything away, it always comes back to you' and my Dad constantly reminded us 'Ensure you put more back in than you picked out as you walked through'", she spoke of the wonderful couple that brought her up in a tobacco farm, in South Carolina, USA.

During the opening ceremony, the Marie Dawood foundation donated 280 wheelchairs to be distributed to the needy by Kenyan Rotary Clubs.

With such a wonderful start, all Rotarians in this conference and assembly should look forward to more fun in the service of humanity.

87th DCA kicked off with DG's Cocktail

Despite a chilly and wet few past days, the rains kept off yesterday, to allow the delegates and guests at the 87th District Conference and Assembly (DCA) the serenity they needed to kick off with the District Governor's cocktail, held at the KICC grounds tent.

The cocktail was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Nairobi North together with Prime Bank Limited. In the friendly atmosphere of the tent, with the drapery in the gold and blue colours of Rotary in the background, friends met again and new acquaintances were made among the Rotarians from all over the D9200. There was plenty to eat and drink as delegates, in plain adherence of the 4F's the District Governor: Fellowship, in interacting with each other; Family, both individual and Rotary; Friendship, in acknowledging of those we call friends; and, Fun, in service and fellowship.

The DG welcomed all those who were present before giving the DG Awards to those Rotary Clubs that stood out in Fellowship and Service.