Kenya
– Anonymous
An East African country with over 45Mil in population, world’s 48th largest country by total area and 29th most populous.
As of 2020, Kenya is the third-largest economy in sub-Saharan Africa after Nigeria and South Africa and with various ethnic group made of Bantu (60%), Nilotes (30%) or Cushites. The largest native ethnic groups the Kikuyu (8Mil), Luhya (6.8Mil), Kalenjin (6.3Mil), Luo (5.1Mil) amongst others with various groups speaking their own dialect within their respective communities. Official languages are English and Swahili.
Kenya being a former British colony celebrates the following:
1st June
to commemorate the day it attained internal self-rule since 1920 “Madaraka Day”.
20th Oct
Heroes Day in honour of all those who contributed towards the struggle for its independence or positively contributed to the post-independence “Mashujaa Day”
12th Dec
Independence Day to commemorate the day it established its republic “Jamhuri Day”.
The Kenyan community in Australia have various state-based groups “association”. I know of KASA (Kenyan Association of South Australia) and Kenyan Community in Victoria which I am part of. While the Victoria based group keeps the community updated about each other’s wellbeing/Welfare and is a platform for networking. KASA Adelaide is more established in terms of structures and every other aspect. They have annual membership fees, AGMs and organize for various activities in support of the Kenyan community. Kenyans travel from across Australia to be part of the major events such as the upcoming Madaraka Dinner (KASA GALA Party) on the 12th of June 2021.
I am from the Luo tribe that is native to Western Kenya. Our dialect is Dholuo and are known to be smart lol, as my great grandma used to say we are a smart group because of all the fish we eat. Our culture is no different from other ethnic groups save we are known to have good command of the Queens language, love for Fish (Tilapia) and Ugali (Bread made from Corn Flour). Moved to Australia in 2017 with family for the kids to have more opportunities. Checked in down south in Adelaide and had a 4months stint before moving over to Melbourne “The Place to be”.
Melbourne being a metropolitan state has a lot to offer and even though we do get home sick, we are able to access most basic Kenyan stuff that we need. A drive to noble park in the East or Footscray in the West will get you anything you need Kenyan/East African. Whether its your hair to be done or some ingredients you need to prepare a Kenyan meal. However, on a societal level there is not much inclusion save for a few corporates that are running diversity programs.
Question is, why have a system/program specifically for a certain group to be able to integrate while they are qualified and probably as experienced as their Australian counterparts? Would love to see more diversity across Melbourne without having a “program” in place to accept these group into the corporate/business environment.