Kenyans in Queensland Member Ben Maiyo Wins Multicultural Affairs Award

The Kenyan-Australian community is celebrating a remarkable milestone as Ben Maiyo, a dedicated member of Kenyans in Queensland (KIQ), has been recognised with the Minister’s Award for Outstanding Contribution by a New Queenslander. This prestigious honour highlights the difference our community continues to make in Australia’s multicultural landscape.

Ben works as a Community and Co-Design Project Officer at the Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland (ECCQ). Beyond his professional role, he is deeply involved in volunteerism and advocacy. Through his work with the Red Cross, Ben has led disaster preparedness initiatives, including the Pillowcase Project, where he trained children to respond with confidence during emergencies. He has also translated vital updates into Kiswahili during Cyclone Alfred, ensuring that multicultural communities were not left behind.

Image @KIQ

His impact extends further—during the 2025 floods in North Queensland, Ben helped connect more than 100 people to essential services, including recovery support and mental health care. Since arriving in Queensland less than two years ago, he has assisted families, empowered women and young people to gain their driver’s licences, and fostered stronger engagement with multicultural organisations.

Together with his wife, Ben is an active and loyal member of KIQ, where their commitment, advocacy, and leadership have made a significant difference. His award is not only a personal achievement but also a proud moment for the entire Kenyan diaspora in Australia, demonstrating how much we can contribute to the broader society while uplifting one another.

We congratulate Ben for this outstanding recognition and celebrate the role of Kenyans across Australia who continue to inspire, support, and build stronger communities.

Image @KIQ