General Secretary Rev. Canon Peter Karanja in a group photo with staff at the poolside in Jumuia Conference and Beach Resort, Kanamai. They were joined by DGS Dr. Makanda as well as Rev. Dr. Jesse Kamau.
The National Council of Churches of Kenya 63rd General Assembly, has finally ended with the General Secretary Rev. Canon Peter Karanja, hosting staff to a beach gala dinner at the Jumuia Conference and Beach Resort Kanamai. Canon Karanja lauded his staff for the successful 63rd General Assembly, that brought together over 250 delegates among them senior church leaders from across the country.
During the retreat, the more than 170 staff drawn from NCCK head office and Council subsidiaries, feasted on a rich menu that included a variety of sea foods, in an elaborate ceremony that was punctuated by light moments.
The climax of the event came shortly after midnight, when Canon Karanja and his deputy Dr. Nelson Makanda took to the floor alongside their spouses Rev. Jane Karanja and Carol Makanda, dancing the night away.
NCCK Regional Coordinator for Nairobi Phylis Kamau and her Western counterpart Stephen Amusala scooped the awards for the best dressed female and male respectively in a competition whose theme was African wear. Other awards included the best dance group that went to Jumuia Hospitals and Karaoke whose winner was not determined.
Phylis Kamau and Stephen Amusala are escorted to the podium to receive their awards after being declared the best dressed female and male respectively.
Before dusk the staff had competed in track and field events as well as swimming aimed at enhancing their physical wellness.
Earlier before the staff took a break, the NCCK Trustee Rev. Dr. Jesse Kamau and his wife Alice facilitated on a wide range of issues touching on the family unit and its challenges, while Dr. Charles Jakait tackled the importance of living a healthy life.
The elated staff who spoke to Jumuia news were full of praise for the NCCK management. “For me this was an edutainment, nice exposure. I have gained a lot especially on how to be organized. We now know how people work,” said David Bakari of Jumuia Resorts, Nakuru.
On his part Boaz Karume of Jumuia Resorts Limuru, was excited for having taken a break from his busy schedule to enjoy himself. His sentiments were echoed by Davis Asava from the head office and Nzembi Nzioka of Lower Eastern region who added that she had gained a lot from the discussion on family life.
David Oduor of Coast Region observed that: “Most of our expectations have been met. The Council has many staff and through this meeting, the family bond was strengthened. When we share, we feel we really belong.”
The NCCK North Rift Regional Coordinator Grace Rugut said: “I liked the presentation on health especially knowing that food supplements are essential. This means that your health is literally in your hands. I was also impressed about women as mediators. They play a key role in mediation and the entire conversation on building bridges. I hope they will be given a chance at the higher level given the fact that they are key influencers.” Her Lower Eastern counterpart Faith Sibairo observed that she now knew her colleagues differently away from work. “I guess our working relationship should now improve. This should happen every year,” she proposed. For Maureen Akhonya from the Western region work station, the discussion on the family unit was timely. “The content was timely and relevant given that I am newly married with a child, i leant something new on the dynamics of marriage. It was evident that there was a sense of solidariry among staff,” she concluded.
The Council’s Human Resource Manager Catherine Kamau said that the meeting had met its objectives. She added: “The staff are relaxed. They have had a lot of time to bond and enhance their team spirit. We had very good facilitators in terms of family life, we have taken care of our health by exercising, the fresh air by the seaside and the crowning bit was the smiles on their faces.”
Canon Karanja and Dr. Makanda are joined by the new officials of the NCCK Staff Welfare Association shortly after taking office.
The retreat saw the NCCK staff elect their new officials of the Staff Welfare Association, in which Carol Ongalo, who was until yesterday the associations Vice Chair, was unanimously endorsed as the new Chair. She will be deputized by Dr. John Masiga of Jumuia Hospital Huruma.
Other members include Ken Ogalo (Treasurer) Doreen Ekirapa (Assistant Treasurer) Milcah Ochieng (Secretary) Zack Awino (Member) and Joab Magara (Member).
Deputy President Hon. William Ruto was the chief guest at the NCCK 63rd General Assembly, during which Archbishop Dr. Timothy Ndambuki and Moderator Julius Mwamba were elected the new Chairman and Vice Chair of the Council respectively.
