Kenyans in US Ring in New Year in Style

Kenyans living in the United States welcomed 2015 with festivities at different venues in various cities across the country early Thursday.

In New York, frigid temperatures did not stop those residing in and around the city from joining an estimated one million people of different nationalities who thronged the popular Times Square, where they celebrated the dawn of the new year in an elaborate ceremony.

“It’s is very cold here, but this opportunity only comes once a year and I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” said Jessica Kaniaru, a resident of Manhattan, NY, who was accompanied by her husband.

According to Joshua Oluoch, who lives in Bronx, NY, revellers began arriving at Times Square as early as 11am.

Mr Oluoch told a local TV station that he secured a spot at noon on Wednesday and waited in the chilly temperatures for more than nine hours.

“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and it’s always been on my wish list,” Mr Oluoch told CBS Channel 2 television.

“I got here early because I had been frustrated by the massive crowd occupying all the nice spots in previous years,” said Maggie Mwatela, another Kenyan who hadtravelled from neighbouring Staten Island.

In Georgia, most Kenyans chose to usher in the new year in their places of worship. At Christ Harvesters Ministries International Church in Marietta, Georgia, Apostle David Karanja and Pastor Teresia Karanja led the faithful in the countdown starting at 11.59pm local time.

SONG AND DANCE

Song and dance marked the celebrations as the congregants belted gospel tunes during a praise-and-worship session shortly after midnight.

The scene was replicated in the nearby Bethesda Empowerment International Church, where Kenyans had gathered on Wednesday evening ready to welcome the New Year. They were led by Rev Joseph Wamutitu.

In Boston, Massachusetts, many Kenyans thronged entertainment joints while others chose places of worship to ring in the year. “We are hopeful that this year will bring good tidings,” said Joseph Wambugu, a resident of Lowell, Massachusetts.

Elsewhere, Kenyans in different parts of the US joined their friends and relatives inhouse parties as a way of ushering in the year. “We are dancing the old year away here in San Francisco,” tweeted Ted Kariuki, a resident of California.

But a spot check by nation.co.ke also revealed that thousands of Kenyans stayedhome and followed the festivities on their TV sets and on social media.

“The weather was not very conducive, so my family and I decided to stay indoors and watch the fireworks on TV,” said Mohamed Hassan, who spoke to the Nation by phone from in Brunswick, Maine.

- By BMJ Muriithi, Nation.co.ke