13^th December, 2012 the Kenya High Commission to Malaysia held a reception at the Inter-Continental Hotel to mark the Country’s 49^th Independence Day.

Hundreds of guests including, foreign diplomats, government officials, business leaders, Kenya Diaspora, academicians and leaders of religious communities, attended this important day in the history of Kenya. Also, among the invited guests who graced the ceremony was His Royal Highness Y.A.M. Tunku Naquiyuddin Ibni Tuanku Ja’afar

The celebration was hosted by the High Commissioner of Kenya. H.E. Amb. Samori Ang’wa Okwiya, and the guest of honor for that evening was Hon. Senator A. Kohilan Pillay, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs.

RT. Hon. Prime Minister Honorable Raila Odinga is welcomed by Sudan Ambassador in Malaysia Nadir Yousif ElTayeb Babiker who is also the current Dean of African Ambassadors in Malaysia shortly after landing at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

Kenya Prime Minister, Rt. Honourable Raila Amolo Odinga E.G.H, M.P was in Malaysia for a three day visit during which he held talks with political, academic and business leaders and later received an Honorary Doctorate from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology. The Prime Minister arrived in Malaysia on 15th November, 2012 and was received by Kenya High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E Samori Okwiya, Africa Heads of Missions Resident in Malaysia and senior Malaysia Ministry of Foreign Affairs Officials.

The Prime Minister Interacting with Kenyans residing Malaysia during the reception held at the Sheraton Hotel.

On the same day, the Prime Minister hosted a cocktail dinner for the Kenyans Diaspora at Sheraton Hotel, Kuala Lumpur. In his address to the Diaspora, the Prime Minster highlighted the strides Kenya has made since the promulgation of the new constitution and encouraged the Diaspora to register and vote during the forth coming elections.

On 16^th November, 2012 the Prime Minister received courtesy calls from several high ranking Malaysian Government Officials led by Honourable Senator A. Kohilan Pillay, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and discussed the promotion of the friendly relations between the two countries.

Separately, the Prime Minster met with business leaders and encouraged them to consider investing in Kenya due to its

Rt. Hon. Prime Minster Raila Odinga with Senator A. Kohilan Pillay, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs shortly after the courtesy call.

suitability and accessibility into the region.

The Prime Minister was also hosted to a dinner in his honour by the Secretary General of United Malays National Organization (UMNO), Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan bin Tengku Mansor.

On 17^th November, 2012 the Prime Minister was conferred an Honorary Doctor of Leadership in Societal Development by Limkokwing University President, ProfessorEmeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Dr Lim kok Wing, who described him as “ one of  Africa’s most distinguished leaders”.

Honorary Doctor of Leadership in Societal Development by Limkokwing University President, ProfessorEmeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Dr Lim kok Wing, who described him as “ one of Africa’s most distinguished leaders”.

Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Raila Odinga displaying his Honorary Doctorate of Leadership in Societal Development after it was awarded to him by Limkokwing University President, Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato’ Sri Paduka Dr Lim kok Wing (Left). Along with the Prime Minister is his Wife Ida Odinga.

In his acceptance speech, the Rt. Hon Raila Odinga remarked, “ it is with honour, pride and humility that I accept this Honorary Doctorate of Leadership in Societal Development”…….and further said, “ ….. this honour bestowed on us today is for Kenya and for

Africa – for us to receive encouragement, inspiration and courage to propel us to greater heights”.Finally, in honour to the Prime Minister, Kenya High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E Samori Okwiya hosted a dinner for the Prime Minister and his delegation.

Among the distinguished guests In attendance were the Africa Heads of Missions Resident in Malaysia, Dato’ Lee Yee Cheong formerly member of the National Economic and Social Council of Kenya (NESC).

Rt. Hon. Prime Minister Raila Odinga (5th Left) along with Amb. Samori Okwiya (3rd Right), Kenya Assistant Transport Minister Ali Hassan Joho (3rd Right) and staff from Kenya High Commission Kuala Lumpur John Wagema (Far Left), Dorcas Rukunga (2nd Left) and Paul Mutha (2nd Left) posing for a photo with Kenyan students studying at Limkokwing University of Technology.

The visit of the PM to Malaysia will contribute to further strengthening and expanding the close bilateral relations between the two countries. The Prime Minister was accompanied by his wife Dr. Ida Odinga and the Assistant Minister for Transport, Hon. Ali Hassan Joho.

His Majesty, the Sultan and Yang Di-Pertuan of Brunei Darussalam receives letters of credence from Kenya High Commissioner, H.E Samori Ang’wa Okwiya at a ceremony held at the Istana Nurul Iman Palace.

On the 4^th of October, 2012, Kenya’s High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E. Amb. Samori Ang’wa Okwiya with multiple accreditations presented his credentials to His Royal Majesty Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu’izzaddin Waddaulah ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Haji Omar Ali Saifuddien Sa’adul Khairi Waddien, the Sultan of Brunei Darussalam at a colorful ceremony held at the Istana Nurul Iman Palace in Brunei.

In his remarks with the High Commissioner, His Royal Majesty the Sultan extended a warm welcome to the Ambassador and his family and said he was looking forward to working closely together and to deepen the already close relations between our Kenya and Brunei and further requested the High Commissioner to deliver his best wishes to Kenyan President H.E. Hon Mwai Kibaki and wished him good health and prosperity as well as to the people of Kenya. His Royal Majesty the Sultan also expressed willingness to visit Kenya.

H.E Samori Ang’wa Okwiya with other 17 Ambassadors and High Commissioners prior the the presentation of letter of credence to His Majesty.

On his part, the High Commissioner spoke of Kenya-Brunei relations and assured the Sultan of the Kenya government’s commitment to further strengthen the ties between the two countries, especially in the area of economic and technical co-operation.

The High Commissioner later met with the Brunei Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, His Royal Highness Mohamed Bolkiah and further discussed issues of mutual interest to both countries.

Kenya and Brunei formalized diplomatic relations in 2008 and H.E. Amb. Samori A. Okwiya becomes the first Kenyan Diplomat to be formally accredited and to represent Kenya in the Sultanate of Brunei.

H.E. Amb Samori A. Okwiya togther with Brunei Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, His Royal Highness Mohamed Bolkiah during the Bilateral Meeting

Event’s Booklet showing Kenya High Commission’s Participation

Kenya High Commission participated in this year’s Gala Launch of the Malaysian International Gourmet Festival (MIGF2012) held at the Sunway Pyramid Convection Center from 27^th to 28^th September, 2012.

Taste MIGF is a spectacular Food and beverage fair that acts as a curtain raiser for the one month Malaysia International Gourmet Festival in October. It a gala launch that features cooking demonstrations, wine and whisky appreciation and a host of other culinary activities.

This Year’s Taste MIGF featured a Gourmet Village showcasing fine food, wines and beverages and the High Commission took part in Gourmet Village in order to introduce and raise awareness of our beverage brands to the Malaysian market and also promote culinary tourism. During the festival, the High Commission showcased Kenya’s premium coffee, tea and

H.E. Amb. Samori Okwiya – High Commissioner (center) M/S Eunice Nthenya (left) and M/S Josephine Sirway (right) at the High Commissions Booth during the Festival

The exciting and highly invigorating Kenyan black tea was irresistible, free flowing Kenyan tea which attracted huge number of visitors at the Gourmet Village. Kenya, which manufactures black tea as is the world’s third largest producer and leading exporter of black tea.  Kenyan Tea has won international acclaim for its taste and aroma and it’s becoming the most popular tea of choice across the globe.

 Also at the event, coffee lovers thronged the High Commission’s booth to have a sip of the premium

Kenyan coffee. Kenya is a leading exporter of Arabica coffee which is also considered by connoisseurs to be one of the world’s top coffee. Alongside the coffee and tea was an amazing display of Kenya tourism products showcasing major tourist attractions. 

Staff of Kenya High Commission at the Booth during the Festival

Commenting at the event, H.E. Amb. Samori Ang’wa Okwiya said the event provided a unique opportunity to showcase Kenya’s diversity in gourmet and tourism products to the high end gathering.

The gala launch was graced the by Tourism Minister Dato’ Sri Dr Ng Yen Yen, and attended by over 2000 invited guests – celebrities and VIPs – MIGF Organizing Chairman Dato’ Steve Day visited the High Commissions Booth and thanked H.E. Amb. Samori A. Okwiya for taking the challenge to participate in the 12th international award winning Malaysia International Gourmet 

Ms Eunice Muia of Kenya High Commission posing with models during the festival

The Kenya High Commission was among the 700 exhibitors participating in the first ever Malaysia International Tourism Exchange (MITE) 2012 which aims to be among the best travel trade shows in the region.
The four day event was held at Malaysia Agro-Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) from 31st May till 3rd June, 2012 and it provided a vast opportunity for the High Commission to showcase Kenya’s unique and diversified tourism products to more that 600,000 visitors drawn from Malaysia and other tourism source markets attending the exhibition.

The event was launched by Prime Minister of Malaysia, YAB Dato’ Sri Mohd Najib

Abdul Razak and witnessed by YB Dato’ Sri Dr. Ng Yen Yen, Minister of Tourism Malaysia, tourism ministers from Kenya, Mozambique, Iran, India and Egypt, ambassadors and High Commissioners of foreign missions.
Kenya Minister for Tourism, Hon. Danson Mwazo, accompanied by Tourism Secretary, Dr. Nelson Githinji participated in the exhibition and toured many exhibition booths with a major highlight being the Kenya High Commission booth which attracted a record number of visitors curious on tourist sites in Kenya. The High Commission showcased the Kenya safari, magical Kenya destinations and cultural attractions.

Speaking at the event, Hon. Mwazo informed that the Ministry had adopted product diversification as the number one strategy in order to develop and promote other tourism products apart from the usual safari and beach products by focusing on new products such as sports, eco-tourism, culture, Meeting Incentives Conferencing and exhibitions (MICE), among others. Further, the Hon. Minister informed that his Ministry was working on focused Tourism marketing programme for South East Asia Nations with the aim of tapping into the growing number of middle class in the region.

Kenya High Commissioner to Malaysia, H.E. Samori Okwiya thanked the Minister and his delegation for attending the event and profiling Kenya as a top tourist destination.

H.E. Amb. Samori Okwiya been received by YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Hj. Mustapha Kamal founder of Bukit Merah Orang Utan Isaland Foundation in Bukit Merah Lake Town Resort

The Kenya High Commissioner, H.E. Amb. Samori Okwiya led the team of 8 African Ambassadors and High Commissioners that visited Malaysia Orang Utan Island in Bukit Merah Resort and Belum Rainforest Resort. The Ambassadors were H.E. Gebhard Benjamin – High Commissioner of Namibia, H.E. Abdelmalek Bouheddou – Ambassador of Algeria, H.E. Cuthbert Zhakata – Ambassador of Zimbabwe, Her Excellency Ntsebe Idlett Kokome – High Commissioner of Lesotho, H. E. Anderson K. Chibwa – High Commissioner of Zambia, H.E. Bello Ringim – High Commissioner of Nigeria and Charge D’affaires of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Developed by renowned Malaysian property developer MK Land through its founder YBhg Tan Sri Datuk Hj. Mustapha Kamal, the island, which opened in 2000, is the first of its kind in the world, and designed to resemble the orang utan’s natural rainforest habitat as much as possible. As such, its red-haired residents are able to roam freely within their lush, jungle environment while visitors view them from safe, enclosed spaces built within a dedicated viewing area.

The High Commissioners and Ambassadors were warmly received by Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal, the founder of Bukit Merah Orang Utan Isaland Foundation and developer of the resorts and had the pleasure to experience for themselves the work that Tan Sri has undertaken within the boundaries of the two resorts; Bukit Merah Laketown Resort and Belum Rainforest Resort through his three foundations, the EMKAY Foundation, the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation and the Pulau Banding Foundation.

The conservation exercise spearheaded by the Bukit Merah Orang Utan Isaland Foundation is geared towards protecting the threatened and endangered Orang Utan Species. The Bukit Merah conservation project is an excellent persuasion as it addresses the conservation of the Orang Utan species as an important issue. Upon the visit to the island, the group of High Commissioners and Ambassadors were exposed to all aspects of the Orang Utan’s existence, including how they behave, eat, breed and socialize, and the dangers they face.

The main objective of this conservation exercise is to save the species from extinction. Losing this species can have disastrous impacts because the effects will be felt throughout the ecosystem. 

After the visit, H.E. Amb Samori Okwiya highlighted that The National Museum of Kenya is host to The Institute of Primates Research. The Bukit Merah Orang Utan Island Foundation in Malaysia and the Institute of Primate Research in Kenya can come up with viable synergistic cooperation in different ways.

Kenya, in particular, boasts an extraordinary variety of wild species due, in part, to its diversity of habitats. The Primatology, Wildlife Ecology and Conservation Field School is a collaborative research and training program between Rutgers University and multiple Kenyan research institutions including the Institute of Primate Research (IPR) and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

The cooperation can focus on 

i). an exchange program with a curriculum that allows and is comprised of lectures, readings and discussions on important concepts in primatology and conservation biology.

ii). address reviews on important notions in primate behavioral ecology, and learn about primate behavior between the Orang Utan from Malaysia and the primates in Kenya.

iii). ensuring that participants will learn how to survey primates, study their social behavior and habitation.

The Ambassadors and High Commissioners with the Aborigines of Malaysia, locally known as Orang Asli.

The visit to the Visit Belum rainforest resort included breathtaking experience of a jetty ride around the Island and meeting Orang Asli villagers, the aborigines of Malaysia. The EMKAY foundation has devoted itself to educate these villagers by putting up toy library whey they can learn to read and write basic English and Math.

The guests also visited the research center developed by the EMKAY foundation that focuses mainly on treatment and care of endangered species of the animals that reside in the rainforest.  

In addition, The High Commissioners and Ambassadors each also planted a tree to mark their visit to the rainforest resort. In their remarks, the High Commissioners and Ambassadors expressed their gratitude towards the hospitality they received during their tour and the inspiration from the great work so far achieved by Tan Sri Mustapha Kamal’s Foundation and the EMKAY GROUP’s.