How a Kenyan In Diaspora has Used Athletics to Promote Local Communities

I came to England in the mid 90’s. It was a different life and a new culture, and it was challenging in the beginning. However, I did not relent in my pursuit of childhood dreams. As a kid, I had a passion for athletics and dancing. With dancing, I was among the four finalists in the popular Win-A-Car dancing competition held in the 90’s. this is the competition that was eventually won by Rare Watts. Other competitors included Soukous Party and Jam city.

Jack Waiyaki with Legendary Kipchoge Keino

I would pursue my athletics passion in London, though not as a runner. As Chairman of Kenyan Community Bedford, and together with some friends, I was privileged to spearhead a community development project to bring to Bedford, the finest Kenyan athletes. This included Paul Tergat, Catherine Ndereba, Wilfred Bungei, Benjamin Limo, and the late Sammy Wanjiru.

The week long visit to hospitals, schools and other institutions made it to Bedford’s History Books as the biggest gathering of the world’s best athletes in the old historical town. A commemorative photo of the athletes is positioned at the entrance of Bedford International Athletics Stadium. The project went on to gain a London 2012 Inspire Mark Accreditation for inspiring a whole community and twinning Kenyan schools with Bedford schools. One such partnership was between Bishop Okiring Secondary school in Mt. Elgon, and Bedford Academy School. Students and teachers in both schools completed an exchange program and this went a long way to enhancing cross cultural collaboration and promoting diversity.

The stars!

The success of this visit by the athletes to Bedford became a unique selling point for London 2012 pre camps teams bidding. It also helped me work as a liaison for our London 2012 Kenya national Olympic and Paralympic teams. In fact, during the London 2012 Paralympics, I managed to take the Kenya Paralympics team to visit a local school and church where the team was treated with ‘home’ delicacies. The interaction with the Church’s youth group led to the establishment of a charitable organisation called AHIC (A helper in Christ) to help children with disabilities in Kenya. St. John’s school in Bedford, which caters for children with special needs, would start a partnership with Dagorretti Children’s home that would also see the school in Bedford donate and ship specialised mobility equipment to Dagorreti children’s home.

After the Olympics, my involvement with athletics projects continued. In conjunction with the Bedford Borough council, we organised the “Run a Golden mile with a Kenyan athlete” initiative. 600 children from 24 schools were to cover 25 miles and then run the last dream mile with elite Kenyan athletes who had participated at the London Marathon the previous day. Shadrack Kosgei and Phillip Langat happily engaged with the excited children. The two would later unveil a commemorative plaque in honour of the late Samuel Wanjiru at the Bedford International Stadium.

One of the greatest highlights of my involvement with athletics came in 2013. I received a call from the Legendary Douglas Wakiihuri and he told me he wanted to work with me on a project he was working on. The project involved Kenya’s First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, participating in the London Marathon. I put down a proposal and sent it to Douglas and to my surprise; I received an email from spokesman Manoah Esipisu. He wanted to meet and fine tune details as I discussed with Douglas. In the coming days and months, a meticulous planning for the First Lady’s London marathon debut went on behind the scenes. To our delight, the First Lady successfully run the London Marathon and also helped raise the profile of her Beyond Zero Campaign.

I now dedicate my time to mentoring young people. I hope and pray that Kenyan children living in developed countries will realise the available resources within their reach and use such resources to fulfil their dreams.

I also want to encourage everyone that they should pursue their dreams with confidence despite the challenges that we all face. I hope and pray that the next generation of Diaspora is one of superstars who will better their lives and raise Kenyan flag’s even higher. The next world champion may be sitting next to you!

I have done my bit in selling the image of Kenya abroad. Time and again we are reminded of what JF Kennedy would say, “Ask not what what the country can do to you, but what you can do for the country.” The government must also do her bit to ensure Diaspora role is not only based on economic remittances but also on other roles that most in Diaspora do each and every day, and that such Kenyans will be given the right support while that pursuit

Special Equipment for Dagorreti children’s home