(Oh Death, hover around, and review us and choose all the grace of the soul with the grace of the faithful evenings **** the meek chastity like the breeze, soul and qualities)
On the 4th April, death occurred of one of my dearest friends; Amb. Patrick Badi Ahenda, the Kenyan Ambassador to the State of Qatar, and indeed the soul and the heart grieve, but we only say what pleases God.
Amb. Ahenda was one of the most active diplomats in Doha, according to the testimony of the people of Qatar. They witnessed him with his gentleness of character and kindness, and the strength of beautiful communication with them in joys and sorrows, with officials and the broad civil society alike. He built bridges of communication and deepened relations within a short period of his assignment to the position. And Within less than three years, he became known to everyone by his movements, participation, and attendance in official and ordinary occasions, among the business community and people of culture, sports and the arts. He was a glow of activity and vitality despite his old age of seventy years old, racing to communicate and access to attend the social events for which he is invited even in the farthest areas of Doha, in the far north, where he had become familiar and known for his constant presence, wit, and a broad smile that never leaves him.
I used to consider him a close friend and generous brother, and whenever I happened to be in Doha I would meet him, and his wife’s meeting with my wife and my children was very touching, and if it indicated something, it only indicated the depth of the relationship between the two families. He would consult me on matters; on how he could meet the authorities and the Qatari community, but It took no long time until I saw him close his relations with everyone, and I found his presence an exceptional in Qatari dress on public and private occasions.
As a diplomat, Amb. Ahenda combined between the official and social diplomacy at its finest, thus leaving an imprint that will not be erased in the hearts of Qataris, and they would tire those who will come after him. He harnessed all his experiences and capabilities that he gained during his previous work as a member of the Kenyan Parliament in the period from 2013-2017, and his experience during his activity as an accomplished politician in the Orange Democratic Movement Party, led by Mr. Raila Odinga, and as a student leader, political activist, businessman and educator, in strengthening the Qatari-Kenyan relations and raising them to a high level, He was the best ambassador for his country and he represented it in the best way.
While expressing my sadness at the death of my dear friend Amb. Ahenda, I also take this opportunity to convey my sincere condolences to His Excellency President Uhuru Kenyatta, President of the friendly Republic of Kenya, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs represented by Mrs. Rachel Omamo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, his diplomatic colleagues inside and outside the country, to the Kenyan officials, the leader of the Orange Democratic Movement, Mr. Raila Odinga, to his small family, and to the entire Kenyan people for this great loss, However, my condolences are for what he has left of a great legacy in the bilateral relations that flourish day after day. His family is always welcome in Doha to visit my family and meet friends there.
His Excellency Ambassador Jaber bin Ali Al-Dosari
Qatar's Ambassador to Kenya