RC MOMBASA DOWNTOWN INSTALLATION IN STYLE
The youthful Rotary Club of Mombasa Downtown ushered in their incoming Club President Mr. Hassan Mbondo in style on 15th June 2019. The club also recognized and celebrated Coastal Rotary leaders for their dedication in community service. In a colorful ceremony held at KPA Mbaraki Sports Club, outgoing President Mr. Peter Odera said that, the decision to award the coastal Rotary leaders in this years’ club installation was arrived at by Club Assembly after noting that those who inspired us need to be celebrated and recognized by us.
In his inaugural speech President Mr. Hassan Mbondo made it clear that he has chosen Peace and Conflict Resolution theme for his tenure. The reason for choosing this theme was inspired by the suffering he has undergone due to insecurity in the Coastal region. Born and raised in Kwale County, a hot bed of radicalization and extremism, ethnicity, juvenile crime and drug abuse Mbondo said he will mobilize every available resource within reach to mitigate this catastrophic ingredients for conflicts and disharmony in the community.
President Mbondo added that, global impacts of community conflicts are hastily noticed, thanks to information technology and globalization. “Everybody knows about Wakali Kwanza, Wajukuu wa Bibi gangs among others, terrorizing Mombasa and Kwale residents. There is need for intervention, mitigation, transformation, and resolution plans that are well thought-out and coordinated. The only structured way of dealing with this menace is through Rotary.”
The Chief Guest a Sociology Professor, Halimu Shauri of Pwani University on his part said that transforming a community needed a concerted effort from not only community service organizations and the government but also from individuals and professionals. Professor added that involvement approach is the best way to deal with peace and conflict resolution issues in any community.
Also speaking during the event the Kenya Ports Authority Head of Corporate Affairs Mr. Bernard Osero, who said that he was happy that his organization has been supporting Rotary through RC Mombasa Downtown. He said he will continue to support the club in areas that are aligned to KPA CSR areas of focus that is education, health and environment. Also present during the event were Taita Taveta Senator – Amb. Mishi Warraka, Said Ranzuga – Chairman Maeneo Legacy, Shaban Ulaya – Head of Kiswahili NTV among other guests.
