Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero handed over the ‘Key to the City of Nairobi’ to Bhai Sahib Bhai Mohinder Singhm, spiritual leader of Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (United Kingdom), who is currently in Kenya to lead the Dasmesh Smagam – the largest ever Sikh event ever held on African soil. The event was hosted at Nairobi’s Sikh Union grounds from June 22 – 26, 2017.
The interfaith event marks the 350th birth anniversary of the tenth and last human Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh – who formalised the Sikhs into Saints-‘Soldiers of the Khalsa’ order.
This handing over of the ‘Key to the City’ is a symbolic gesture of honour and welcome at the Government and national leadership level.
Sikhs in Kenya have a deep connection and belonging since the end of the 1800s, having come to the East African region, first as builders of the Uganda Railway (1896-1901) and then settled as businessmen who sought better fortunes out of their homeland of Punjab.