Kennington and Musanda: A Historic Twinning that Bridges Two Continents
October 2025
On 11 October, something extraordinary happened. The village of Kennington in Oxfordshire officially twinned with Musanda in western Kenya the heart of The Nasio Trust’s community work. This is the first ever twinning between a village in Oxfordshire and a village in Kenya, and it marks a milestone in our shared story of friendship, compassion, and collaboration.
Two Villages, One Vision
The connection between Kennington and Musanda is a story years in the making. The Kennington Overseas Aid Association (KOA) long stood alongside The Nasio Trust, helping fund transformative projects that empower families and communities. Supporting the Spirulina Centre, which combats malnutrition, and now the community has helped establish Musanda’s very first public library, Kennington’s generosity has already changed countless lives.
Children, too, have been part of this story. Pupils from St Swithun’s Primary School in Kennington joined children from Musanda to create Cosmic Cats, a joyful anthology celebrating imagination and global friendship. The new twinning now cements this connection, ensuring that the friendship between our two villages continues to grow for generations.
A Celebration Across Continents
The official twinning ceremony united both communities in a virtual celebration. Screens lit up with smiles as Kennington and Musanda residents greeted each other across continents, united by a shared sense of joy and purpose.
Reverend Samson Kiponiyi, Associate Vicar of Kennington, joined Archdeacon Gilbert Mtimba of the Anglican Church of Kenya and Imam Hamis Sakasa in offering blessings of peace and unity. Alan Cobb, representing Kennington Parish Council, spoke passionately about community spirit and the value of friendship beyond borders.
The Nasio Trust’s Chair, Keith Budgen, shared heartfelt words of gratitude, recognising Kennington’s enduring support:
“The new library and resource centre will bring the joy of reading to thousands. It’s a legacy that will empower young people for generations to come.”
“The new library and resource centre will bring the joy of reading to thousands. It’s a legacy that will empower young people for generations to come.”
Shared Roots, Shared Future
In Musanda, over a hundred people gathered to celebrate with music, dance, and laughter a day full of pride and connection. The festivities ended with tree-planting ceremonies held simultaneously in both villages, symbolising new beginnings, shared roots, and the promise of growth together.
A Bridge of Friendship That Inspires
This partnership is more than a formal twinning it’s proof that small communities can make a global difference when united by compassion.
The Nasio Trust extends its heartfelt thanks to Reverend Samson, Sylvia Vetta, Amena Sutton, Jillian Andrews; John Argyle, Paul Gamble, Jacqs Motion and Kennington Parish Council, and the entire Kennington community for their kindness, creativity, and commitment to building this bridge of friendship.
Your belief in our mission helps children in Musanda grow up healthy, educated, and hopeful – and it shows what’s possible when two villages, worlds apart, come together with one heart.
Other joint projects between the two communities:
- Spirulina Project funded in 2016
- Spirulina Cookbook published
- Library fundraising raised £16,000 so far
- Not so Black and White Co-authored with Sylvia Vetta and resident and long-term supporter of Nasio
- Cosmic Cats Book published in 2024
Together, Kennington and Musanda are proving that true community knows no borders. Bridging Cultures Building Friendships.
This story is listed in: Achievements, Press
