FPC Annual Dinner 2009 - with Kenya

We enjoyed a fabulous evening with Kenya at the Intercontinental on Saturday 31 January. Guests arrived to a spectacular greeting from Kenyan Warriors (authentic acrobats and musicians) dancing, singing and stilt walking setting a carnival atmosphere for the evening.

The menu and table centre pieces continued the Kenyan theme and added to the overall 'wow' factor.

We were delighted to welcome our guest of honour Dr Cyrus Njiru EBS Permanent Secretary Ministry of Trade for the Republic of Kenya who flew into the UK especially to speak at our dinner - and His Excellency Joseph Muchemi, High Commissioner and his Lady who were also in attendance.

Dinner was followed by patriotic, rousing renditions of UK National Anthem and the Kenyan National Anthem, played by the Dark Blues Band and sung be a number of the Kenyan Warriors.

Our President Jim Rogers (also CEO of FESA (UK)) gave an excellent address making reference to the UK's long and successful trading relationship with Kenya and the work of Nigel Jenney and his team over the last year, on issues including ethical trade and going head to head with the Soil Association to produce the truth about food miles and carbon emissions.

Dr Njiru responded with an impressive speech - he emphasised the importance of the friendship between the two nations and the Kenyan need for trade not charity from the west. Agriculture is second only to tourism as the largest foreign exchange earner.

The popular Dark Blues filled the dance floor again this year with dancing until the early hours.

Our thanks to all of the guests form making this another fabulous evening and special thanks to our major sponsors for the second year Anglia Business Solutions.