Being one of the most recently martial art introduced in Kenya, aikido is definately here to stay. Aikido has been practised in Kenya since October 16th 2009 introduced by a Polish Sensei Matteusz Wage who has since left the country. Being the branch of Birankai Poland, they follow the Birankai system.
For quite a while, the Embassy of Japan has been and still hosts this Aikido group on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1700hrs to 1900hrs. Further details can be seen on their blog and their facebook page.
Another aikido group,the East Africa Aikido Aikikai, also practice in Nairobi, and have recently opened an aikido academy, Sagana Aikido Academy which is an all-girl aikido group. More info can be found on their facebook page or the Sagana Aikido Academy facebook page.
The first Aikido section in recent history of martial arts in Kenya was introduced at the Japanese Embassy after a meeting organised in 2009 by Dr. Martin de Norimont.
ReplyDeleteMr. Mateusz Waga was invited to this meeting as a guest and possible partner in further Aikido development. At that time Mr. Waga was living in Kenya for a longer period of time and was not expressing an active interest in forming first Aikido groups in the country. It was only since the time of this meeting when we can talk about progressive Aikido development in Kenya.
Dr. de Noirmont had to leave Kenya shortly after for professional reasons but it was agreed that Mr. Waga will lead trainings at the embassy. Unfortunately Mr. Waga representing another Aikido style called Birankai did not adhere to the most traditional line of Aikido called Aikikai, which Dr. de Noirmont has been proposing as a major path for Aikido development in Kenya. Shortly after Dr. de Noirmont together with the Polish Aikido Association "Aikikai Polska" with it's president Piotr Borowski, M.Sc. holding 6 Dan Aikido Aikikai helped new Kenyan members of Aikido movement to develop other dojos throughout Kenya. Most importantly in places easy accessible for general public and the youth especially since the embassy premixes have restricted access and cannot be accessed by a majority of kids and youth to whom Aikido Aikikai is dedicated.
Since 2010 they have also help with the formation of the first East African official Aikido Aikikai organisation called Kenya Aikido Federation "Aikikai Kenya" (KAF). Mr. Piotr Borowski - 6 Dan Aikido Aikikai is Technical Director of this organisation and Mr. Hubert van Ravensberg, M.Sc. - 6 Dan Aikido Aikikai and the President of the Aikido Aikikai Ryushinkan Nederland is KAF's Technical Adviser. Dr. de Noirmont is KAF's international and organisational cooperation coordinator.
KAF has a board of directors composed from Kenyan citizens only and does formally represent the Aikido Aikikai traditional style in Kenya, which is in line with the regulations of the World Aikido Headquarters in Tokyo (Hombu Dojo) and International Aikido Federation (IAF).
Meanwhile and only under KAF supervision in Sagana we have opened the first Kenyan Aikido Academy. Our academy does work only with KAF and other organisations and aikido teachers which technical standards are approved by the KAF's Technical Director and Advisor. So fat this are 3 European organisation with their teachers.
Our Aikido organisations are also collaborating with the Aiki Mundus Project, which does organise international Aikido seminars for social and educational purposes.
Aikido must be for all and hence restricting any Aikido activity to closed, separated locations and chosen groups of practitioners is not an acceptable concept of traditional Aikido philosophy.
With best wishes,
Kenya Aikido Federation
Sagana Aikido Academy
Aiki Mundus
www.facebook.com/kenya.aikido.federation
www.facebook.com/sagana.aikido.academy
This is wonderful. I first learnt of the existence of aikido in 1993 from a book I found at the Japanese cultural center (library) when I was doing some research martial arts. This is certainly a long way to 2009, but I am still interested in learning the art.
ReplyDeleteIs there a dojo in Mombasa? Where else can I find a dojo in Nairobi apart from the Japanese embassy?
- Nyawa Mwangulu.
still don.t know of a place in Mombasa but I am still checking. In Nairobi it is either Japan Embassy or Nairobi SDA Church Milimani road and some in parts of the country. Sorry for the delay in replying.
DeleteThis is wonderful. I first learnt about aikido from a book I found at the Japanese cultural and information center way back in 1993 when I was researching martial arts. I have wanted to learn this art ever since.
ReplyDeleteOf course 1993 is a long way from 2009, but my interest is still strong.
Is there a dojo in Mombasa?
Where else can I find a dojo in Nairobi besides the Japanese embassy?
This is wonderful. I first learnt of the existence of aikido in 1993 from a book I found at the Japanese cultural center (library) when I was doing some research martial arts. This is certainly a long way to 2009, but I am still interested in learning the art.
ReplyDeleteIs there a dojo in Mombasa? Where else can I find a dojo in Nairobi apart from the Japanese embassy?
- Nyawa Mwangulu.
I still don.t know of a place in Mombasa but I am still checking. In Nairobi it is either Japan Embassy or Central SDA Church. Sorry for the delay in replying.
ReplyDeleteThis one is good. Keep up the good work I also visit here: and I get lot of information. aikido clases
ReplyDeleteNice to have you here Kiara
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