Expatriate community leaders pay homages to late Kenyan envoy

CATHERINE W GICHUKI DOHA Representatives of different expatriate communities in Qatar gathered at the residence of late Ambassador of Kenya to Qatar HE Pad...

CATHERINE W GICHUKIDOHARepresentatives of different expatriate communities in Qatar gathered at the residence of late Ambassador of Kenya to Qatar HE Paddy C Ahenda to commiserate with the family, friends and Kenyan community on the death of the envoy and pay tributes to him. Representatives of Kenyan, Indian, Tanzanian, Gambian, Filipino, Cameroonian, Nepalese, Bangladeshi, Burkina Faso, Djibouti, Indonesian, Ghanaian, Morocco and Egyptian communities were present at the event. Praising the late ambassador, the community leaders talked about how they had collaborated with the ambassador in various areas since he came to Qatar. Different Kenyan community leaders spoke at the event where Catherine Gichuki, John Ngurugwe and Zacchaeus Njuguna gave a brief about the late ambassador.Chairman of Kenyan Community in Qatar Omar Farah said, “On behalf of the Kenyan Community, my family and my own behalf, I send our heart-felt condolences to the family of our departed brother and cheerful leader HE Ambassador Paddy Ahenda. “His service to the community saw move to a spacious chancery, introduction of new generation passports, first time registration of voters for 2022 election exercise, buildup of men and women sports units, training and development agreement for community to gain knowledge and skills and more ingrained achievements. We celebrate his presence and thank God the Almighty for allowing us to be served by such a wonderful soul. May his soul rest in eternal peace.”For her part, Leader of the Tanzanian Community in Qatar Fatma Hassan said, “Our deepest and sincere condolences to HE Ambassador Ahenda’s family, to the Kenyan Embassy in Qatar and to the Kenyan Community here. It is indeed a very sad moment not just for the Kenyans but for those who had met him or were touched by his work. “Attending the gathering for the book of condolence to commemorate his life brought back many warm felt memories of the last time the community leaders gathered to mourn the loss of another man who left a great imprint on this world, our Former Tanzanian President, John Pombe Joseph Magufuli. I hope our Kenyan brothers and sisters felt the same love of unity and comfort that was given to us. May the Almighty Allah forgive and have mercy on him and grant him Ajanah (Heaven).”President of BMKQ Engineer Meliza Ortiguerra said, “On behalf of the Filipino Community, BMKQ (Bayanihan ng Manggagawa sa Konstruksyon ng Qatar - Association of Filipino Construction Workers in Qatar), we would like to express our sincerest condolences for the loss of HE Ahenda. We wis his bereaved family and Kenyan community peace, courage and comfort at this time of sorrow. Thank you so much your excellence Patrick for the hard work and contribution that you left for your countrymen, fellowmen and community. May your soul rest in eternal heavenly peace.”Avinash Gaikwad, ex-general-secretary of the Indian Community Benevolent Forum, said: “We express our deepest condolence to the late ambassador’s family and community. The late ambassador was closely associated with the Indian community events. He participated and supported with his whole heart.”Gaikwad added that Ambassador Ahenda had recently graced their yoga event which had more than 120 people in Qatar participated. “We will always remember His Excellency’s sporting capacities and the supportive spirit to all communities on humanitarian grounds. We pray to God for his departed soul,” he said.Mohammed Aderdor, deputy chairman of the Moroccan Community in Qatar (RABITA) and director of Monitoring and Evaluation Department at Qatar Charity and President of African Communities Collaboration Council in Qatar (ACCCQ), which is under establishment, said: “The late Ambassador Ahenda was not only a friend to the Kenyan Community but to all other nationalities. He was approachable and was always ready to work and serve everybody not only his community but also other communities.”According Aderdor, late Ambassador Ahenda was of great help when working on ACCCQ. “We consulted him and he gave us pieces of advice that are precious. ACCCQ is an initiative that is under construction,” he said.