Ommy Dallah
Tourism : Hoteliers Optimistic About 2019
Investors at the coast are confident that, despite the Dusit and 14 Riverside terror attacks, the tourism market in Kenya will improve in 2019.
Bobby Kamani, Managing Director of the Diani Reef Beach Resort and Spa expressed confidence in Kenya’s resilience and how even the stock market remained strong after the attack, gaining KES 19 billion just a day after the attack:
“Kenya has always been a strong country and has never bowed to terrorist attacks. Our government and the international community has expressed confidence and responded positively in spite of this unfortunate situation which saw many individuals lose their lives.”
Mr. Kamani said that he was reassured by the overwhelming response of the international community in favour of Kenya and was gracious that they did not issue travel advisories which indeed would have been very detrimental to the growth of tourism this year.
Having an optimistic outlook for 2019, Mr. Kamani noted that the key driver for tourism will be, domestic tourism.
He said marshalling Kenyans to spend at both the beach and the bush would help to double revenues over and above that brought in by the international market.
“The biggest revenue earner is in domestic tourism. The government and the private sector should continue tailor making products that suit the domestic tourist as we continue to attract the international tourist through our digital and conventional marketing. 2018 saw an increase of 9% in domestic bed nights compared to that of 2017, further displaying the growing domestic holiday sales by the dynamic travel trade fraternity within the country”.
Kamani attributed the increase in tourist arrivals for both international and domestic travellers into Kenya in 2018 to the augmented role of the Government of Kenya and the Ministry of Tourism, in matters related to one of the top foreign exchange earners for the country, along with concerted efforts in the brand positioning of Kenya’s tourism products by the Kenya Tourism Board having borne fruit for the country and the economy at large.
He reiterated that political stability and an improved security status made Kenya a more attractive destination for international travellers (holiday makers and conference delegates alike) in 2018.
At the same time, several international conferences (the Sustainable Blue Economy Conference, the International SKAL Congress and the Africa Hotel Investment Forum, to name a few) were held in Kenya in the last year, further instilling confidence in the country’s safety and capability of handling large conference delegations of international repute.
Additionally, Mr. Kamani said the growth in the aviation sector further boosted confidence in the region with the launch of direct flights to New York by Kenya Airways and direct flights from Doha to Mombasa by Qatar Airways.
“The return of Air France to flights thrice a week and the return of TUI Fly Charter Airlines to the Coast instilled renewed confidence in the tourism sector based on the efforts by stakeholders, the Government and Ministry of Tourism. Kenya Airways has also just announced direct flights to Rome and Geneva from June 2019. Whilst there are more visitors from Milan to Kenya, a route covering Milan over Rome would have been preferable for hoteliers”.
He also pointed out that open border policies such as Visa on Arrival and the Single African Air Transport Market has encouraged the free movement of people and of goods across borders. Kenya has experienced profound beneficial impact from the same.
Referencing to the marketing efforts, Bobby noted that a greater involvement of private sector players in drafting policies and implementation of strategic frameworks within the sector contributed to the revival of tourism. Digital marketing has also been at the forefront of the Ministry’s agenda which has been very beneficial to the country’s tourism.
Speaking about his recent appointment to the Coast Region Tourism Working Group, Kamani reiterated the dire need for the government to grant appropriate tax incentives to hoteliers who were refurbishing and upgrading their properties:
“His Excellency, President Uhuru Kenyatta spoke of the need for private sector players to invest further into their products by refurbishing and upgrading properties. As private sector players, we couldn’t agree more. However, the Government of Kenya should consider tax exemptions for private sector players that can be used for reinvestment into the economy”.
In conclusion, he said that it should be made mandatory for all private sector players to reinvest any amount saved by way of tax exemptions in the refurbishment of existing products and up-gradation of existing services.
President Kenyatta Mourns US Musician James Ingram
President Uhuru Kenyatta has joined fellow leaders and music lovers across the world in mourning the death of James Edward Ingram, one of the finest American singers of this generation.
The late James Ingram was an Rn'B singer, songwriter, record producer and instrumentalist who also doubled up as an actor.
In his message of condolence, President Kenyatta said James was a gifted musician who used his God given talent to spread messages of peace, love and coexistence with a view of making the world a better place for all.
The President said the two-time Grammy Award winner will be remembered for his moving lyrics, soothing voice and uplifting messages.
“James Ingram was a true gift from God to the world, and especially those of us who love and enjoy Rn'B music. James had an amazing voice, his compositions gave many hope and his music will forever remain a lasting reminder of the great musician he was," President Kenyatta eulogised.
Ingram is best remembered for his top hits among them, 'It's Your Night', 'Never Felt So Good', and 'Always You' released in 1983, 1986 and 1993 respectively.
New Music: Rayvanny ft Diamond Platnumz- Tetema
After dropping their controversial collabo 'Mwanza', Rayvanny and Diamond Platnumz are back with another hit.
The song is titled 'Tetema'.
Listen it below.
New Video: Fena Gitu - Steam
Kenyan female rapper Fena Gitu has just released her new single.
The song is titled 'Steam'.
Watch its video below
Marende Among Individuals Shortlisted for National Police Service Commisson Chair Post
Former Speaker Kenneth Marende is among 10 applicants who will be vetted Monday (Today) for the position of chairperson of the National Police Service Commission (NPSC).
Justice Joyce Aluoch, Dr Zachary Mwangi, Elijah Kodoh, Peter Ole Nkuraiya, Mukutar Abdi, Eliud Kinuthia and Lucy Wanja have also been shortlisted.
Others are Elijah Nduati, Irene Wanyoike, Margaret Cheboiywo, Lucy Karuru, former IEBC commissioner Albert Bwire and former chairman of the now-defunct Transitional Authority Kinuthia Wamwangi.
The panel chaired by Stephen Kirogo is seeking to recruit three commissioners from the public, a chairman and two others who are retired police officers , following the exit of former Chairman Johnston Kavulundi who served for a term of six years.
In the list of those shortlisted are also retired police officers.
Marende a lawyer by profesion has also served as the Chairman of the Kenya Power and Lighting board.
President Kenyatta Urges Anti- Graft Agencies To Collaborate More
President Uhuru Kenyatta today urged anti-graft agencies in the country to collaborate more for the fight against corruption to be won.
The President said that the multi-agency approach in the war against corruption is showing results and should be embraced more going forward.
"Today I note with a lot of happiness that due to the collaboration that has been there under the multi-agency approach, we see more and more cases being prosecuted," the President observed.
The Head of State was speaking at the DCI Headquarters on Kiambu Road when he awarded state honours to several officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) for their outstanding contribution in the security sector especially in the fight against corruption.
While acknowledging the independence of constitutional institutions such as the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), the President called for more synergy between agencies in the security and justice sector.
"We are not here to merge the DCI and the ODPP but we are here to recognise that these two institutions that are anchored in the executive need each other for effective service delivery," President Kenyatta said.
"We recognise the independence and also the interdependence of these offices. Our success cannot be independent of each other. We will not succeed if we do not collaborate," he added.
The President spoke on the one Government approach saying Kenya has one government which is striving to provide services seamlessly to all Kenyans.
“The constitution gave us one government - the Government of Kenya, but it also created independent institutions. I cannot emphasise more that as much as these offices are independent, they are interdependent,” said the President.
The President urged police officers to be firm and precise in discharging their duties adding that the government shall never allow few individuals to trample on the rights of others by perpetuating criminal activities.
“I am continuously reminded that Kenyans have rights and these rights have to be protected, but the rights of the majority supersede the rights of the individual. We cannot protect the rights of an individual who threatens the majority - those individuals who threaten the rule of law,” said the President.
On the ongoing police reforms, the President said the Government will invest more in police welfare, equipment and upgrade of facilities to make the unit efficient and effective.
At the same time, the Head of State called on police officers to reciprocate government investments in the security sector by fulfilling their mandate without fear or favour.
“The Government will continue to invest in the welfare of the officers, providing resources, training and equipping them. From this we would also want better results from you by dealing with criminals, the corrupt and terrorist,” the President said.
“We will continue to support you, but just as much as we will do to support you, we will also be very firm and hostile to those who abuse their positions," he added.
The President said Kenyans expect much from the security officers even as they continue to genuinely pay their taxes.
“Your best friend is the person who pays taxes to pay your salaries. Your enemies are those who threaten those who pay taxes,” said President Kenyatta.
While directing the Inspector General of Police to restore uniform allowances for DCI officers, the President asked the officers to reciprocate the gesture by dealing firmly with those perpetuating criminal activities including terrorists, the corrupt who are out to derail Kenyans from achieving their goals.
Interior CS Fred Matiang'i assured the President that security agencies will continue discharging their mandate to fulfil his vision and plans of developing the country.
Inspector General of Police, Director of Criminal Investigations
George Kinoti and Director of Public Prosecutions Nordin Hajji assured the President of their commitment to serving the public without fear or favour.
Muthoni Drummer Queen Selected as a Ted Fellow, Joining The Newest Class of 20 Global Visionaries
Musician and cultural maverick Muthoni Drummer Queen has been selected as a TED Fellow, joining a class of 20 change-makers from around the world to deliver a talk on the TED stage this April in Vancouver.
Muthoni was selected for her work in developing the cultural landscape in East Africa through her barrier-breaking, genre bending music, as well as her game-changing music festivals Blankets & Wine and Africa Nouveau.
"I am very excited to be selected as a TED fellow, and to join a global community of thought leaders and doers. After 10 years in music and culture, and based on research and data, it is clear that the creative sector is a legitimate manufacturing industry in Kenya, and indeed Africa. Being on the global TED platform will help me amplify this position, as well as the political undertones to creators, investors, industry players, leadership the general population of Kenya, and Africa at large." said Muthoni
"My work is really about freedom, which is a deeply spiritual and political idea. By exercising my freedom to think and create for myself without too much concern for industry “norms” or “ideals” I intend to inspire my idols, peers and fans to exercise their freedom to pursue their own ideals and create their own norms. We are all fundamentally powerful, creative beings, and I desire for humanity to experience this." she added
“We are thrilled to announce the newest class of TED Fellows, who give voice to some of the most exciting ideas we’ve seen in the program’s 10-year history,” said TED
Fellows director Shoham Arad. “This year's class includes a police captain designing systems to support women in policing, a space environmentalist building technology to monitor space debris, and an artist exploring the ethical implications of emerging technology"
"The Fellows program is committed to using its resources and platform to help scale Fellows' ideas and impact, and we are so excited to have these Fellows become an integral part of our global community.” added Arad
Founded in 2009, the TED Fellows program has 472 Fellows from 96 countries, whose talks have been viewed more than 250 million times overall.
In its ten-year history, the TED Fellows program has created a powerful, far-reaching network made up of scientists, doctors, activists, artists, entrepreneurs, inventors, journalists and beyond.
As a TED Fellow, Muthoni Drummer Queen joins a community that includes Perry Chen, the artist who co-founded Kickstarter, Amanda Nguyen, the activist whose organization RISE helped write the Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights, which passed unanimously through US Congress and Essam Daod, the psychiatrist who founded Humanity Crew to provide psychological aid to refugees.
The TED Fellows has also yielded a wide variety of collaborative projects, including PEEK, the social enterprise that recently raised a $1 billion fund to eradicate preventable blindness in the developing world; BRCK, the technology company that builds mobile WiFi routers that can work anywhere, even in the harshest conditions and Fine Acts, the international collective bringing together artists and activists to instigate social change.
Applications for the 2020 TED Fellows class will be open later this year. Interested applicants should visit the TED Fellows program website for information and updates about the fellowship: http://www.ted.com/participate/ted-fellows-program/apply-to-be-a-ted-fellow.
Video release: Manolo Drops Second Single - Mwengine
Top of this morning, Manolo dropped his much anticipated second single titled 'Mwingine'.This release, a certifiable hit song, is a follow up to his 2018 well received debut single 'One by One'
In this song, Manolo has effortlessly delivered a feel good song while still maintaining his signature rap and melodic skills. The track is Produced by the masterful Magic Mike with the video directed by KG Brian. The Mwingine video will have you forgetting the hassles of this life.
Through 'Mwingine' ,Manolo, who just turned 24 today, reminds the world of the importance of having a higher source of power that gives one the right gears to maneuver though this life.
Legendary Musician Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi Has Died.
Legendary musician Oliver ‘Tuku’ Mtukudzi has died.
He has died on the same date his close friend and jazz great Hugh Masekela passed on a year ago(2018).
It is reported that he passed on today aged 66 at the Intensive Care Unit at the Avenues Clinic in Harare.
He had been hospitalised a few days ago before his condition deteriorated mid afternoon today.
The artist had over 60 albums to his name at the time of his death.
May his soul rest in peace.
Anthony Njaramba Makes a Come Back, Appointed Mombasa Water MD
Former Mombasa County Executive in charge of Agriculture Anthony Njaramba is the new Managing Director of the Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company.
Njaramba takes over from Francis Kombe who is the Chief Officer and has also been acting as the MD.
Njaramba served as the County Tourism CECM from 2013 to 2014 before being transferred to the Agriculture docket where he served until 2017.
He was also the acting Lands CECM between 2015 and 2017.
