On Tuesday, April 7, former CS Ababu Namwamba finished his term as Kenya’s Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador and Permanent Representative to UNON and UNEP with an emotional farewell reception at his Karen home.
The occasion honored his years of devoted service by bringing together friends, family, coworkers, and foreign leaders.
Namwamba thanked the team he oversaw at the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Kenya Mission to the United Nations Office at Nairobi (UNON) for their combined efforts to raise the Kenyan flag in the eyes of the world. He praised the team’s professionalism and commitment, saying, “It has been a privilege to serve with such a remarkable team.”
Eunice Kigenyi of Uganda, Arnaud Suquet of France, Sultan Hajiyev of Azerbaijan, and H.E. Jan Sadek, the ambassador of the European Union to Uganda, were among the other ambassadors that graced the gathering.
Along with young performers from the International Youth Fellowship (IYF) Kenya, friends from South Sudan, China, and Korea also participated, adding energy to the event.With both nuclear and extended family members present, Namwamba’s family was a major part of the occasion.
Attendees included his brother Tanui K Joel, Secretary for Irrigation, and sister Ummi Bashir, CBS, Principal Secretary for Culture, Arts, and Heritage.
Namwamba praised the spiritual mentoring he received from Fr. George and Sr. Florence of Philothea Missionaries and thanked everyone who has helped him throughout his career in his final words.
Namwamba’s professional accomplishments and the close relationships he developed over years of devoted public service were both reflected in the farewell.