On Saturday, October 3rd 2015, at Hikima University in Nairobi, members of Rwandan community in Kenya held their annual general assembly in which new members of the executive committee were elected to the office. The event saw Mr. Eric Ndirabika elected as the Chairman replacing Miss Leonie Abera.
Mr. Eric thanked members of the community for entrusting him with what he described as a heavy responsibility worthy taking and promised to deliver to the their expectations like he has always done although he was doing it in a different capacity. “I would like to thank you for elevating me from just being a commissioner in charge of economy and investment to become a Chairman, I promise to work closely with every member so that we achieve greater results”. He reminded members to maintain good Rwanda cultural values of supporting the needy and keep contributing to social events such us marriage and funeral events.
The outgoing Chairperson of Diaspora Mrs. Leonie Abera eluded on the need for community members to stay united and avoid any differences.
“We are moving from being called Rwanda Diaspora to Rwandan Community abroad because community is inclusive and goes beyond only sharing the nationality to being more of a family that shares true Rwandan values and transcend differences”.
Speaking at the event, Rwanda’s High Commissioner to Kenya Ambassador James Kimonyo thanked the outgoing committee for the good work and promised a newly elected committee full support of the Commission.
He reminded them of their role as ambassadors in their own capacity, saying that representing one’s country doesn’t only go with the government tittles. “Our Government counts on you as Ambassadors in your own capacity and we know you are doing a good work of representing our country in your places of work and businesses that you do”.
Ambassador Kimonyo reminded how Rwanda has moved from being viewed in a post conflict mirror to a country on the move in terms of economic progress.
He called all community members to avoid ethnic based differences instead work towards a common goal of achieving social economic development that does not exclude anyone.
“I want to challenge you. If you think you disagree with the government on a given program or a policy, lets sit on the same table, debate about it, get to the common understanding then move forward together, but lets avoid disagreeing just for the sake”. Kimonyo said
He commended members for the efforts to move the community forward and asked them to play a key role as Rwandans as we continue to walk the reconstruction journey.
The newly elected members include Eric Ndirabika who was elected Chair, Dr. Hermogene Nsengimana and Claire Mukarutesi who were elected first chairman and second chairperson respectively while Mylene Umutoni was elected to be the treasurer of the committe. Jean Pierre Ngirabahire was elected Commissioner for IT, Jonas Habumuremyi for mobilization, Patric Ndisanze for economy and investment, Angella Kabanyana for social and culture commission while Collins Gatete was elected to head youth commission.
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