Gala Night, Dinner, Dance, Networking
This event has concluded. Thank you to everyone who joined us in Maryland.
Principal Secretary, State Department for Diaspora Affairs
Director of Nursing Services, Ministry of Health
Vice Chancellor, Daystar University
Turn the pages to read Dr. Jeliah Akombe's message to the KNAA family.
As I reflect on our Third KNAA Annual Conference in Maryland, I am filled with gratitude, pride, and appreciation for the incredible people who continue to give their time, talent, and energy to make KNAA what it is today.
First and foremost, I want to thank every nurse who took the time to attend our conference. Your presence made this historic event possible. Our nurses are, and will always be, the MVPs of KNAA.
And the numbers do not lie.
Maryland recorded the highest attendance in KNAA conference history. This is a powerful reminder that KNAA is growing, our family is expanding, and our collective strength continues to increase.
But behind every successful conference are people who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
I want to extend my deepest appreciation to our Education Department, led by Dr. Tim Onserio, Dr. Josephine Mogeni, and Dr. Happiness Nyachieo, for ensuring that our nurses received 20 CEUs during the conference. Thank you for your commitment to professional development and to one of KNAA's core missions: education.
To all our volunteer CEU presenters, thank you for sharing your knowledge, expertise, and time with our nurses. May God continue to increase your knowledge, wisdom, and impact so that you can continue empowering others.
I also want to recognize our Planning Committee. The endless meetings, long hours, phone calls, discussions, problem-solving, and behind-the-scenes work do not go unnoticed. You gave your time because you believe in KNAA.
And let me emphasize something that is important for everyone to understand:
Our KNAA leaders are volunteers. They are not paid for the work they do.
They serve because they believe in the mission. They sacrifice their time because they believe in our nurses. They give their expertise because they want to see KNAA succeed.
That is leadership through service.
A very special thank you goes to our National Director of Events and Strategic Engagement, Dr. Gladys Gichomo, for putting this incredible event together and coordinating the many moving parts that made the conference possible. Your dedication and commitment are deeply appreciated.
I have heard comments that KNAA only has nurses with doctorates in leadership.
Well, let me introduce you to some of the movers and shakers who are helping move this organization forward.
I want everyone to know and appreciate Carolyn Cess Kigara, President of the Maryland Chapter, an LPN, and Agatha Mugo, RN, Vice President of the Maryland Chapter.
These two women went above and beyond to help deliver what has become our highest-attended conference to date.
KNAA honors leadership in all its forms. Leadership is not defined by the letters behind your name. It is demonstrated through commitment, action, sacrifice, teamwork, and results.
Carolyn and Agatha, thank you for showing us what dedicated leadership looks like.
To our wonderful MCs, Dr. Mike Mugo, Milton Nyakundi and Dr. Leonidah, thank you for keeping the evening lively, engaging, and fun. You helped create memories that our nurses will carry with them long after the conference.
And our photographer, Tcha George, deserves an award! You captured the smiles, the celebrations, the beautiful moments, and the memories that will remind us of this incredible conference for years to come.
I also want to recognize the North Carolina Chapter, led by Dr. Maclean, for their consistent support and impressive presence at KNAA events. Your chapter continues to show up in large numbers, and that consistency does not go unnoticed. Thank you for believing in KNAA and representing your chapter with such enthusiasm.
And last, but certainly not least, I want to give a very special shout-out to Ankie-Miriam Otieno, our Public Relations Leader.
Ankie, you deserve a special category all by yourself!
You have become much more than our PR leader. You pretty much function as my personal assistant because I call you for almost everything! From communications to last-minute requests and everything in between, you are always there.
Ankie, you are deeply appreciated. Thank you for your patience, your dedication, and your willingness to always step up.
This is what KNAA is about. People serving people. Nurses supporting nurses. Leaders creating opportunities for other leaders.
As we celebrate what we accomplished in Maryland, we must also look toward the future.
Our next stop is MINNESOTA!
Minnesota has been waiting patiently to host our annual conference for the past two years. Therefore, as President and Founder, I made the executive decision that Minnesota will host the 2027 KNAA Annual Conference.
Minnesota, the stage is yours!
And to every nurse and leader across KNAA: we still need you.
We are continuing to call on nurses who are willing to step forward, volunteer, take on leadership roles, bring new ideas, build chapters, and help us grow this organization.
There is room at the table. KNAA belongs to all of us.
Three conferences later, we have demonstrated what happens when people come together with a common vision. We are growing larger. We are growing stronger. And we are building an organization that can create opportunities for Kenyan nurses not only today, but for generations to come.
To every volunteer, every leader, every presenter, every chapter, every nurse, and every supporter who contributed to the success of our Maryland conference:
THANK YOU.
May God bless you, your families, your careers, and the work of your hands.
We have come this far together, and together, we will go even further.
With sincere gratitude,
Dr. Jeliah Akombe, DNP, FNP, PMHNP
Founder and President
Kenyan Nurses Association of America (KNAA)
KNAA: Power in Numbers. Leadership Through Service. Building Our Future Together.
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