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Former Kenyan ambassador to the United States Denis Afande has passed away. Afande, who served as Kenya’s representative in Washington in the 1990s, died on Sunday.
The deceased served as the Chairman of the Association of Former Ambassadors.
Through Facebook on Monday, ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi eulogized Afande as a distinguished career diplomat.
“I am saddened by the demise of Ambassador Denis Afande, a distinguished career diplomat & one time the Country’s Chief of Protocol,” Mudavadi wrote.
“He also served in Washington DC as the Kenyan Ambassador to the US in the early 1990s. May the Lord give his family strength during this time,” Mudavadi added.
Kenyans on social media mourned him as a simple, honest, and hospitable person.
“Rest In Peace ambassador Dennis Afande. Arguably the best Ambassador Kenya ever had in the US. Simple and honest. His house was open to any Kenyan. His office was open and he had time for all. We truly have lost a legend,” Zachary Koga said.
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All dead men are good
Even Hitler? I guess no exceptions...
Ambassador Denis Daudi Afande was my second Ambassador in Washington DC after Ambassador Sospeter Mageto who departed soon after I got there in 1988. He was a teacher, a father , a mentor and the God Father of my First Born Son- Origa Ogai Mutachi Amolo.- born in 1992. Origa shares the same birthday ,27th February , with both Ambassador Afande and his daughter Belinda.Amb Afande would always call on Origa’s birthday to ask “ how is my age mate?”. He took time in turbulent times to reach out to all , to calm troubled waters.His wife, Julita Chitere Afande was a mother to all and a true rock , for those of us who were starting out in life.Origa, his brother, Sango Majisu ,their Mum, Khasiala and I, are truly devastated at this terrible loss. I had planned to go and see him in 2020 together with Julita,before I departed for my posting as Ambassador to Germany - Corona militated against this happening. “Boda boda dunnit”. Took him away.Their collective menace on our streets continues.This really hurts. To Mama Julita,Carol ,Edwin, Conrad, Belinda,Stephen- Carol’s twins - POLENI SANA- MAY ALMIGHTY GOD REST MZEE’s SOUL IN ETERNAL PEACE. A GOOD MAN INDEED.
Mr. Ambassador, thank you for that eloquent eulogy. You alone explained to the readers WHY he was an outstanding diplomat -not the author and definitely not Mudavadi who just gave empty talk for the dead as observed by others To me you also importantly narrated how he died. These boda bodas are a menace and they shouldnt go unchecked till its too late.
From your intelligence, it seemed you did Germans and USA expats a good service while there. 2249 R st NW today is slowly digitizing its records and lagging in serving its citizens, not to mention personnel drama. They went into hiding during COVID-19. You couldnt even get info on travel to Kenya. One needs to go to the US state dept website to get travel details to Kenya. How does a foreign govt have more info to give you about your govt than your own govt does have available to you?? Isnt that a failed state? Taxpayers are getting a raw deal. Perhaps you can mentor the current crop ama what does this association of former ambaz do? Pension munapata, duty free - check. Na diplomatic passport makes you untouchable wherever you go.
Anyhoo, may he RIP
Ambassodor Amolo, pole sana. Your pain is jumping off the screen, lakini did you have to be so deep? "Boda boda dunnit"....his family may not appreciate you putting all that info out here. Just saying.
Like Ambassador Yusuf Abdulrahman Nzibo, Amb Dennis Afande, from a distant, looked humble and down-to-earth servant of Kenyans. He could humbly mingle with Kenyans freely without showing off like other useless ambassadors like Peter Rateng Oginga Ogego and Elkanah Odembo whose main mission was to represent Raila and gang. During the reign of Ogego and Odembo, nepotism was realised and we we Los Angelis consular invaded by Odinga family, notably, Oburu Odingas daughter. They were followed by another useless Uhuru protege Amb. Robinson Njeru Githae whose only achievements was to waste public resources by buying military/education attaches BMWs, mercedes benzes and Volvos while a Toyota Camry could do what all these gas-guzzlers was suffice. Most ambassadors of Kenyatta and Moi eras were stationed in the US so that they could run Kenyan embassy in Washington DC as bank where children of ministers, KANU mouthers, PCs, DCs, Police and army commanders etc could go there to collect college and university tuition fees and stipends for free. May his soul rest inpeace.
@Mjuaji,did you have to mention Railas for you to remain relevant?
RIP brother RIP.
@Maxiley what the difference btw hitler n the presidents who continue to bomb Palestines/Invaded Afghanistan/Iraq/Somalia.Or those who watched Rwanda kills each other by supporting indirectly or directly?Hitler is not that evil compared with what the colonial Countries did to Africa/Australia to aboriginal peoples.
Fare thee well former Ambassador Denis Daudi Afande! He welcomed many Kenyans to his residence for a greet and meet events. I had the pleasure of attending one event with my friend Catherine Njoka. There l met many family friends including the future Ambassador Jacob Chumba who recently passed on as well. You may be gone but your deeds and kindness shall never be forgotten.
Ati nini? Amb Chumba died juzi too it seems. Just confirmed this news. Poleni sana.
Lakini Mr. Editor, si uweke a new posting? How does a former Amb and a long time MD resident die and you not cover it.
May his soul rest in peace.
Indeed he was a down to earth person, his humility could be seen, for instance, I remember seeing him attend the small Christian Community (Jumuia)back in the village whenever he came home for Holidays in Matayos Busia County. He will then greet everyone and walk home simply. In-fact they say he must have died after being ran into by a motorbike rider when he was walking home after prayers in the small Christian community.
May the Lord whom you humbly served receive you in His Kingdom. R.i.p OMWAMI DENNIS!
As a former leader of Kenyan students in the US during Mr. Afande's reign as Kenya's ambassador to the US, Washington DC in the 90s, I send my condolences and those of my colleagues to the family and to Kenyans for the unimaginable pain and loss.
No words can adequately describe the gift he was to Kenya, Kenyans, and the World. He taught me and others how to lead selflessly as a servant. We'll miss him dearly! May his soul RIP.