Our New Team

Here is the line up of the new team that took office.

President: JOE THIGA;

Joe Thiga is a Charter member of the Rotary Club of Thika. Born in the larger Murang'a District, Joe has previously held various dockets at the Club - apart from that of the President. His has lots of passion for community work and is also an avid golfer at the Thika Sports Club. His classification is Book Selling.

President-Elect: FRANCIS MWAURA;

An Engineer by profession, Francis Mwaura is perhaps one of the oldest Rotarian at the Rotary Club of Thika, having joined Rotary even before Thika was chartered. A former President of the Rotary Club of Hurlingham, Rtn Mwaura refers to himself as a "retired but not tired" engineer and runs a children's home in Gatundu. His classification is Engineer.

Vice President: Elizabeth Gitau;

You have to meet Teacher Elizabeth Gitau to understand her passion for children and charity work. Elizabeth runs a children's home near Ol Donyo Sabuk and is active in community work. She forms a critical link between the Rotary Club to the communities around the dry Kilima Mbogo area. For her, it is the spirit of Service Above self that drives her.
Her classification is Teacher.

Secretary: Bernard Kimengich;

(NO PIX)

Treasurer: William Mwangi;

There is no better person for treasurer than the retired avid banker turned stock broker, William Mwangi. Rtn William brings on board lots of commitment to Rotary work. Again, he is one of the longest serving members of Rotary Club of Thika. His classification is stock broker





Sergeant-at-arms: James Gitau;

(NO PIX)

Club Trainer: Mugo Kirika;

Immediate Past President Mugo Kirika has taken the position of Club Trainer. One of the charter members of Rotary Club of Thika , he brings again on board years of experience and lots of understanding about community issues around Thika. An avid golfer, Rtn Mugo has lots of interest in community work and will inject lots of information and ideas to new members. His classification is poultry farming

Rotary Foundation Committee Chair: Eleanor Harrison;

Unless you meet Rtn Eleanor Harrison, you won't know what drives towards rehabilitation of street children. For that is her passion and she explains it with ease. A charity worker based in Thika, Rtn Eleanor manages a feeding program in several schools and is one of the most active members of the Rotary Club of Thika. Her classification is charity worker

Service Projects Committee Chair: Marnix Huis In't Veld;

Public Relations Committee Chair: Jennifer Wanjiru;

A journalist by profession, Jennifer also works on community projects and is actively involved in raising awareness on Autism. She is also a founder of Autism Outreach, an organisation that reaches out to those with autistic children.

Membership Committee Chair: Rtn Dr Steve Mugucia

Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology lecturer Dr Steve Mugucia is also a charter member of the Rotary Club of Thika. Rtn Mugucia has been pivotal in fundraising for the club, raising its membership and has held various positions since the club was started some six years ago. His major challenge now is to raise and retain the membership. He has lots of interest in girl child education.

Its Joy as Joe gets the chain

In an elaborate ceremony attended by DG Kaushik Manek (District 9200), Joe Thiga (Left) was finally installed the new President of Rotary Club of Thika on June 6.

Rtn Thiga took over the chain of office from Rtn Mugo Kirika (Right) who said he was happy to hand over the chain to an able Rotarian.

The ceremony held at Thika's Blue Post Hotel was also attended by Hon Peter Kenneth, an assistant minister for planning and vision 2030. Hon Kenneth was given an honorary membership to the Rotary Club of Thika. Speaking during the event President Thiga said he will continue building the six-year old club to greater heights and took the challenge by the DG to have the Club membership grow to above 50 in an years time.

"The future of Rotary will be in the small clubs in small towns," said DG Kaushik Manek

For his part, President Thiga thanked those who made the event possible and promised to work hard to make the club achieve its aims.

"The future is in our hands," he said echoing this year's theme.

The ceremony was attended by AG Linda Longstaff, AG James Gachui, AG Wanjama and several clubs including Naivasha, Muranga, Meru, Langata, and Muthaiga.

Joy as Wheelchairs for Thika kids arrive

Some 20 children from Joytown School in Thika and others from villages around Ol Donyo Sabuk mountain have benefited from wheelchairs donated by US-based Wheelchair Foundation.
It was a day of Joy for the beneficiaries – and their parents. Some of the children had never had a wheelchair while those who had – they were in a sorry state;mostly welded and fitted with plastic seats that were uncomfortable. The wheelchair donations were delivered on Friday, May 29 by Vickie Winkler of Health Education Africa Resource Team and the Rotary Club of Thika President Mugo Kirika.

Worth more than Ksh 200,000, the 20 wheelchairs are part of an effort by the Rotary Club of Thika to solicit for donations from well-wishers and partners in a bid to uplift the community.
During the occasion witnessed by Rotary Club of Thika’s in-coming President Joe Thiga, Mr Kirika thanked Ms Winkler for helping source the wheelchairs and thanked her for agreeing to grace the occasion.

“These children will always be grateful for what you have done,” said Mr Kirika.
Ms Winkler said that it was her joy to have partnered with Rotary Club of Thika in identifying the needy cases.
“We are humbled by what we have seen today and we will always play our part in making sure that the needy cases get attended.”
The headmistress of Joytown School said that some of the children had broken wheelchairs which were uncomfortable and said the donations will always be cherished by both the recipients and the school community.
“What you have done today is remarkable and it will aid these children in a big way,” she said.

The smiles on the faces of the receipients hitherto wheeling around on junk wheelchairs was evident after the ceremony.

During the occassion the Rotary Club of Thika President-elect Joe Thiga advised parents with young children to make sure that they also exercise their limbs rather than use the wheelchairs as an alternative.

"The mothers of the young children must make sure that they also exercise their limbs. These wheelchairs are supposed to help in mobility without escalating the problem," said Thiga who will be installed as President on June 6.

It was yet another day out for Rotary Club of Thika.