The year 2025 KCK’s Sun N’ Sands was marked with fan and thrill along the Songjeong sandy beach, Busan, on Saturday, 16th, 2025. The summer retreat saw Kenyans travel from Korea’s various cities to escape the scorching heat and have  a feel of Busan’s calming sea breeze.

KCK Summer retreat is an annual event that bring Kenyans together to have fan, socialize , and network with their compatriots from various fields.

This year’s event was graced by Ambassador Jacquiline Kenani, the Deputy Head of Mission (DHOM), Ms. Gillian Kerubo (Consular), Ms. Lynnette Wakiuru (IT). It also saw the KCK regional leaders attend the event. They included: Ms. Joy Mworia (Busan-host), Ms. Nancy Murrey (Gwangju), Mr. Michael Juma (Daegu), and Mr. Benson Maina (Seoul).

The day started with those in attendance have a dive into the sea to showcase their swimming skills, engage in social interactions during sand bath, play games like beach volley, poker cards, and entertain themselves with stories and assorted Kenyan/African music. After the beach engagements, the caravan departed for Seomyeon- Busan’s popular dining and entertainment hub- for dinner. The community had bites of barbecued beef and pork to their fill.

After the dinner came the speeches. Mr. Benson Maina paid gratitude to the Busan KCK Chapter, for playing such a lovely host. He urged Kenyans to take advantage of the community gatherings to get to intermingle and know each other.

The Counselor, Ms. Gillian Kerubo, made a strong statement urging Kenyans to avoid issues that might land them into problems with the Korean authorities. Further, she urged the Kenyans students in Korea, to apply for the scholarships that are announced through the circulars issued by the embassy. Most, importantly, she urged the community members to work in tandem with the KCK leadership, noting that these will ease the efficiency in handling matters pertaining to Kenyans living in Korea.

On her part, DHOM Amb. Jacquiline Kenani highlighted on the various services that are offered by the mission urged Kenyans to be responsive on when  called to take up on the Mobile Consular Services whenever they are brought to Korea. Secondly, she took note of the rising cases of some individuals defrauding their countrymen and women. She urged the KCK Executive leadership to vet all members in the social groups and communication channels where she emphasized on having a secure and administrable social and communication platform. Finally, DHOM expressed her awe on how the Kenyan diaspora in Korea are industrious, enterprising, and patriotic. She encouraged the community members to continue with the same spirit and bring more Kenyans on board KCK.

KCK President, Mr. Francis Wyckliffe, thanked Kenyans for turning up for the summer retreat in their numbers. Administratively, the president highlighted the various issues Kenyans in Korea have been going through and how the leadership has been working round the clock to mitigate, advise or refer where necessary. He urged Kenyans to register with the KCK so that they can officially be recognised as part and parcel of the community. He further insisted on the importance of the regional chapters. Besides the regions being the closet ‘family unit’ in KCK, he informed that some community issues can be handled at the chapter level before they reach the national leadership.

The dinner ended with remarks  and prayers from Mr. and Mrs. Ngala who were visiting parents to the KCK Public Relations Officer-Ms. Josephine Ngala. Thereafter, those in attendance proceeded to Club Yaman for dance and twists from Dj. Ronnie who gave a thrilling mix of Kenyan music as the revelers had fun binging in their favorite drinks.

Truly, the 2025 Summer retreat will be one for the books.

SOTE PAMOJA