Kenya Embassy Ireland

Foreign Affairs  Minister Moses Wetang'ula pins the Order of the Golden Warrior medal 

on Ms. Elaine Bannon. Looking  on is the Permanent Secretary.

An Irish national working as a volunteer with a local NGO has been honoured with a prestigious State Award by the Government of Kenya.  Ms. Elaine Bannon, founder and coordinator of the Light of Maasai was awarded the Order of the Golden Warrior (OGW) by President Mwai Kibaki of Kenya on 12th December 2009 during the 46th commemoration of Kenya's independence (Jamhuri) Day.

Speaking during the handing over of the award to Ms. Bannon. Kenya's Foreign Minister Mr. Moses Wetangula said that Kenya appreciate the selfless efforts of Ms. Bannon in leaving her life of comfort in Dublin to offer humanitarian support to the people of Rombo in Loitoktok District. Minister Wetangula paid tribute to Ms. Bannon's contribution that has made tremendous positive impact to the lives of the Maasai community in Rombo particularly in promoting accessibility to quality education, water, health care and sanitation services. On receiving the award Ms. Bannon paid tribute to the Rombo community for their role which has enabled the Light of the Maasai to acquire support from the Rotary International.  Ms. Bannon also thanked her family and friends back in Ireland for their invaluable support.

Present during the decoration ceremony hosted by the Kenyan Ministerat were Mr. Thuita Mwangi, Permanent Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, H.E. Ms. Anne Barrington Ambassador of Ireland to Kenya (resident in Dar es Salaam) and Light of Maasai members Councilor Joseph Nkanoni of Rombo Ward, Mr. Elijah Kelempu and Mr. Jonathan Kipano.

For more information on the Light of Maasai please log on www.lightofmaasai.com