A Night of Friendship, Laughter, and Kenyan Love

Last year’s annual gala dinner wasn’t just an event, ilikuwa ile moment. The kind that lives rent-free in people’s minds. Where class meets culture, Nairobi energy pulls up quietly, sits straight, and still somehow steals the show.

We had the honour of hosting the MP for Burleigh together with our Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs and International Students Attraction, and from the jump ilikuwa clear, hii sio event ya kawaida.

Celebrating 60 Years of Kenya–Australia Friendship

The theme of the night was heavy in the best way, celebrating 60 years of friendship between Kenya and Australia. Miaka sitini. Hiyo si jokes. That’s history, watu wamevuka oceans, ideas zime-cross borders, families zime-build maisha pande zote mbili.

The room felt it. You could hear it in the conversations, see it in the way people interacted. Kulikuwa na heshima, pride, and that calm confidence that comes when a friendship has stood the test of time.

A Speech That Changed the Room

Now, this is where things officially entered “huyu ni wetu” territory.

Our chief guest stepped up, took the mic, scanned the room, then opened his speech in Swahili.

Eeh.

Not broken. Not forced. Clean.

The reaction? Immediate. Applause, laughter, nods, that unmistakable Kenyan murmur of approval. Ile moment unasikia watu wakisema, “ah, huyu amesoma room.”

Because ukweli ni huu, ukianza na “habari zenu” kwa Wakenya, umefungua milango zote.

How Kenyans Show Appreciation

Kenyans don’t just say thank you and move on. Hapana. We personalise. We baptise. We give you a name.

So we decided to show appreciation the Kenyan way. Properly.

We invited the community to suggest creative, respectful Kenyan names that capture the spirit, presence, and energy of our guest. Names with meaning. Names that sound just as right over nyama choma as they do in a formal hall. Names that, once given, zinakaa.

Because in our culture, jina si tu jina. Ni identity. Ni story.

Culture, Respect, and a Touch of Nairobi Swagger

This wasn’t about being casual. Ilikuwa about being authentic. About recognising leaders who don’t just attend events, but wanaelewa vibe. Leaders who don’t talk at communities, but talk with them.

That night reminded us why Kenyan spaces work. Why our culture travels well. Why Nairobi flair doesn’t need to shout, iko tu hapo, unafeel.

As we gear up for the next event, one Kenyan name will rise above the rest and officially enter our community story.

Na ukishaitwa jina ya Kenyan style, ujue umeingia familia. Hapo sasa, hakuna kurudi nyuma.