Rotary Honoree King Charles Visits Kenya

By Mona Ombogo

If you don’t know that King Charles III is in Kenya, then it’s quite possible you’re very, very busy doing Rotary work, that’s our story, right? Well, many know that King Charles is in town on a State visit, but how many know that he is, in fact a Rotarian? King Charles is an honorary member of the Rotary Club of Banchory Ternan, Scotland and has often been seen wearing his Rotary pin.

In recognition of his longstanding focus on nature-based solutions to address the climate crisis, Rotary presented the then HRH Prince Charles with its highest honour in 2022: The Rotary Award of Honour.

Presented by Shekhar Mehta, Past Rotary International President at a private audience during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda, Mehta expressed appreciation for the dedication of His Royal Highness toward sustainability and biodiversity and noted Rotary’s shared commitment to protecting the environment.

Having such a high-ranking Rotarian on Kenyan soil is a big deal, because it serves as an inspiration and aspiration to just how powerfully we can all use our positions and roles in our respective posts of life for good. One of King Charles’ passions is the environment, he was talking about climate change long before it became a ‘buzz’ word around the world.

The King is big on conservation and tree planting. Naturally, he planted a tree when he arrived at the State House during his visit to Kenya and proceeded to visit City Shamba, an organic garden within Mama Lucy Hospital in Nairobi.

Another of his passions is the youth, and is the founder of the charity organization, the Prince’s Trust, which has impacted thousands of young people by financing and inspiring creativity and innovation.

King Charles will be visiting youth led innovations during his stay in Kenya and speaking with artists and fashion designers to better grasp where the Kenyan culture sits, through the eyes of the next generation.

Where do we, as Rotarians come in? How do we leverage on the King’s visit highlighting areas which are already a part of our seven pillars, the environment and the youth?  

Our leader, DG Ithau is traversing the District with a recurring message, let’s do bigger more impactful projects, let’s push the green envelope, so to speak, let’s give a fighting chance to our disenfranchised youth.

I will be honest, as the current Projects Director of my Club, Rotary Club of Athi River, sometimes this is daunting. My personal challenge has been sustaining the long term vision, even when it doesn’t seem like it will be achieved, because long term visions take time. And in order for them to be successful, you cannot go it alone, you need your club behind you, for years to come. How do we make this a reality?

I believe in using high level events to push positive agendas. Kenya and the District by extension is experiencing a high-level event by the visit of a high level Rotarian, King Charles III.

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How can we use that? I think, it is by inspiring ourselves to step forward in our grandest despite the challenges, because those are inevitable. I think it’s by gaining courage and strength even when the tasks ahead look insurmountable and the faith is low, because big things require big energy, and grace. I think it’s by getting as many strong-willed, passion-driven people as possible involved, a Tribe, going in the same direction as us. I think it’s by counting our wins, no matter what it took to get there.

A few decades ago, we were under British rule. This year Kenya will celebrate 60 years of independence. That’s a win. What we continue to do with that Independence is an even greater win, if we choose to impact our communities, societies, environment, and history with more greatness.

This is the Rotarian call, to do greater good wherever we are. It is the call from our DG. The inspiration from the visit of a Rotarian King, is that Rotarians can be great indeed, with or without a crown. Because truly, we all are kings and queens and our gifts, our crowns.

Now let’s go forth and use these gifts in the grandest possible way for the most sustainable, impactful good.

My name is Mona Ombogo. I am in the District Public Image and Communications Committee, I am also the Project Director of the Rotary Club of Athi River (the Caring Club!). My classification is writing. My gifts are bringing people together and telling the untold story. That is me, and it is from that perspective that I choose to serve my Rotary.

Who are you? What are your gifts? What is your classification? How do you choose to serve?