History
History
The KAMT vision was initiated during a meeting in September 2006 at 1700 West End Avenue Nashville with Thomas W. Oduor as the convener. This was in response to felt need to have a forum for Kenyans and friends of Kenya in the Nashville/Middle TN area. In attendance were:
- John Gitau
- Joash Kiombe
- Olive Atieno
- William Mwizerwa
- Ebralie Mwizerwa
- Josiah Ochieng
- Thomas Oduor
John Gitau was tasked with moving the discussion forward as coordinator while each attendee was asked to invite three others for the next meeting which took place at Gitau’s during Kenyatta day in October 2006. Teleconferences were held culminating in the 1st Jamhuri day gathering in December 2006 at Metro Center in Nashville. All stakeholders convened for a get together at the founding venue in March 2007 to receive a report on the progress and agree on a common vision. It was agreed to register the association as a non-profit with the State of Tennessee.
Inaugural meeting of the registered association took place in Lebanon TN in June 2007 attended by the First Secretary at the Kenya Embassy Washington, DC who represented the Ambassador. Interim officials for the first year 2007/2008:
- John Gitau – President
- Olive Atieno – Vice President
- Thomas Oduor – Secretary
- Sam Nthenge – Assistant Secretary
- Joash Kiombe – Treasurer
- Stanley Matano – Assistant Treasurer
- Ron Okelo – Publicity Secretary
- Joyce Mbuthu – Director Children’s programs
- Josiah Ochieng – Director Adult programs