Sarova Hotels & Resorts Kenya has announced operations of its latest hotel management acquisition, Sarova Imperial Kisumu, on December 1st 2022. 

This addition is the 8th hotel under the group’s portfolio in Kenya. The move is set to bring a new feel and touch to the hospitality industry in Kenya’s third-largest city, Kisumu. 

Sarova signed a management agreement with the owner of the Kisumu hotel in April 2022, rebranding it to Sarova Imperial Kisumu and thus making the hospitality brand the only major player with iconic properties in Kenya’s four main cities, including Nairobi, Mombasa and Nakuru.

After the management deal kicked off, major refurbishments have been undertaken with an aim to align the hotel to international standards in line with that of Sarova’s other properties across the country. 

“We are very excited to have started operations in the lakeside City of Kisumu. Our customers have a unique taste for quality and refreshing African hospitality. That is why we are always striving to give them the best. Sarova Imperial Kisumu will offer nothing but the best of service to make our customers feel at home. We welcome both domestic and international visitors,” said Jimi Kariuki, Managing Director Sarova Hotels & Resorts.

The hotel has a total of 95 guest bedrooms including 3 signature suites with amazing views of Lake Victoria. All guest bedrooms feature air-conditioning, safety-deposit box, a telephone, a flat-screen TV with satellite connectivity and high-speed WIFI.

It also offers spacious conferencing and meeting rooms, a fitness room, a lobby patisserie, an indoor open courtyard and a rooftop lounge, ‘The Perch’. From the hotel’s lobby through to the guest bedrooms, the hotel’s main restaurant and all the guest areas, modern furnishings complement the hotel’s contemporary-chic theme. 

The culinary experience at the Sarova Imperial, while connecting diners to the local culture and history, will feature various international influences through a variety of sustainably sourced ingredients that guarantee our guests fresh and delicious meals.

At Sarova, we have a shared appreciation for sustainable tourism and enriching the lives of our host communities with the active participation of our guests. Initiatives that preserve the Kenyan heritage, restore natural resources and provide social-economic gains are at the core of our vision.

The annual Diaspora homecoming convention is set to take place on the 7th to 9th of December 2022 at Ole Sereni Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya.

This year's convention is dubbed Kenya Diaspora Alliance Homecoming is set around the Theme:Inclusive Growth - Leveraging Diaspora Resources. 

The Convention is the annual premier event that brings together the largest assembly of diaspora, business leaders, opinion shapers, government representatives, industry and academia.

There will be several sessions spread across the 3 days.

The sessions seek to deepen conversations around Smart/Secure Investments, Project Finance, Trade Finance, Diaspora Cooperatives, Foreign Direct Investments (FDI), Public Private Partnerships (PPPs), Rural/Cottage Industries, ‘Mama Mboga’ Diaspora Fund, Creative Industries, Agribusiness, Green Energy, IT-enabled services (ITES), Affordable Housing, Climate Smart Fund, Health/COVID-19 Interventions, Traditional Foods & Medicines, and Emerging Opportunities like AfCFTA, Blue Economy, Natural Resource Management, etc. Some of these are critical in the attainment of the UN SDGs, AU’s Agenda 2063, and Kenya Government’s long-term vision.

The Convention offers a platform to facilitate consultative, immersive interaction between the diaspora and other stakeholders, and creates awareness on investment opportunities (both at national and county levels), in line with government plans and policies (e.g. the National Diaspora Policy, Big 4 Agenda and Vision 2030).

Chairman of the Kenya Diaspora Alliance Dr Shem Ochuodho has announced that the conference will be seeking to explore ways in which the Government can bolster diaspora remittances and investment opportunities in the country.

“Kenyans living abroad are set to engage the Government on new investment opportunities and how to create jobs for Kenyans who are at home and abroad,” said Dr Ochuodho.

The leadership of the alliance has exuded confidence in Kenya Kwanza regime’s creation of a diaspora portfolio.

Through an upcoming investment conference to be held next month, Dr Ochuodho explained they are championing a mind shift, negative African narrative and advocating for respect, building business partnership on a win-win basis and bringing back Africa into their rightful place in geopolitics and international trade.

“We are focusing on a cordial working relationship between the new Government and Kenyans in diaspora because there are numerous investment opportunities that are yet to be tapped,” Dr Ochuodho added.

Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs Alfred Mutua is expected to engage with Kenyans living abroad in the convention to deepen the ministry’s relationship with the diaspora, as many have over the last decades felt alienated from the foreign affairs ministry.

Other government officials are also expected to be in attendance. 

Hindu prominent spiritual leader His Divine Holiness Acharya Shree Jitendriyapriyadasji Swamiji Maharaj has commended Kenyans for maintaining peace during and after the last general elections.

The spiritual leader who arrived in Mombasa yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon called on Kenyans to continue maintaining the peace arguing peace is key for prosperous of the country.

The spiritual leader who was received by tens of Shree Swaminarayan Gadi devotees in Mombasa County is expected to pray for the drought situation currently facing some parts of the country, during his six days stay in Kenya.

After Kenya, Maharaj will be heading to Tanzania and Uganda.

“Today we are receiving his holiness from India, he normally comes here every year. The purpose of his visit is to pray for Kenya for having peaceful elections and pray for all elected leaders to have wisdom to run the country,” said Harshadkynar Shangani.

Adding "“His holiness aims at bring all the people together as we are currently planning to mark 70 years of our first temple in Nairobi. The celebrations will coincide with the Christmas festivities."

The leader is also expected to visit the refurbished Kibarani miracle park and also meet devotees and worship together with them.

Maharaj is the heir to Acharya Shree Purushottampriyadasji Swamishree Maharaj and sixth in the lineage of ascetic Acharyas, which descents directly from Lord Shree Swaminarayan.

Former Tv47 Coast senior reporter Patronila Goren was on Tuesday evening feted for her reporting on human rights.

Goren who has now joined the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI ) won the overal Best female journalist in human rights award.

The awards 'Women Human Rights Defenders Awards' an initiative of several human rights bodies based at the Coast region, seeks to recognise Women including journalists who are on the forefront on the fight against human rights violation.

While working for Tv47, Patronila alongside her camera man Brian Barasa was following up on a series of human rights violation cases especially of Kenyan female workers in Saudi Arabia and other Gulf states. Her stories prompted most leaders to act including former Nairobi governor Mike Sonko who has been helping in bringing back the bodies of Kenyans who have died while working abroad.

"The award is timely and l want to thank my sources members of the network which was formed two years ago,under Article 19, protect, MUHURI and female journalists under the able leadership of Seasoned court reporter, Sophie Njoka as the Sec General,Grace Oloo as the treasurer and Khadija Yusuf as the Network chair lady who have contributed to my stories and moulded me in fighting for human rights," said Patronila who was not present to pick the award following the death of her mother early this month.

Jasmine Atieno of the People Daily newspaper won the Best in digital empowerment award

Citizen Tv journalist Mwanahamisi Hamadi was also awarded as the Best female journalist in women empowerment. 

Verteran Mombasa Women rights activist Irene Randu was awarded the Lifetime Women rights defender while Jane Jilani got the Lifetime human rights defender award. 

Mohammed Musa was recognized as the Best male champion Women rights.

The Kenya Correspondents Association (KCA)  is working with journalists to develop strategies and best communication practices for reporting and countering disinformation and fake news.

KCA has identified 70 journalists from Coast , Kisumu, Kisii and Kakamega counties who are undergoing training to generate stories to counter disinformation and fake news.

The project supported by Deutsch Wella Akademie kicked off in September 2022 and is expected to end in March 2023.

Speaking after a two- day training for Coast based journalists held in Mombasa, KCA Chairman William Janak said spread of disinformation and fake news was rampant during the last general elections.

"We had our own monitors during the last campaigns and it was evident that there was a wide spread of disinformation and fake news during that time. We want our journalists to have the necessary skills on how to detect disinformation and fake news" said Janak.

Adding "We are building a community of journalists that is sensitive to the needs of the society."

Janak said most journalists have found themselves reporting fake news due to lack of necessary skills and tools to detect fake news and disinformation.

The journalists undergoing the trainings are expected to produce stories on topical issues ranging from economics, politics, environment, social, among other areas which they will share through their media houses, social media handles and their own blogs.

Janak also called on both national and county government officials to co-operate with journalists through sharing critical information.

"If you don't share information to journalists then you are making their work harder, so I would like to appeal to our newly elected governors and government officials to work closely with journalists" said Janak.

Janak further called for proper  remuneration for journalists from media owners.

The Kenya Tourism industry got a major boost  after receiving her maiden cruise ship vessel, MV World Odyssey, at the port of Mombasa on Sunday after almost four years.

 MV Odyssey, which has 800 tourists (passengers and crew) docked at the Sh350 million cruise ship terminal that was completed in 2019.

No cruise ship has made call to the port since the onset of Covid-19 in 2020.

The timely arrival of the vessel towards peak tourism season is expected to boost the economy of the region and regain the glory of the Coastal city as a hub for tourism.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Penina Malonza, KPA management led by acting MD Ambassador John Mwangemi and the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) management were on site to receive the guests.

"The arrivial  of MV Odyssey is a much needed kicker to the industry which is recovering from the adverse effect of the pandemic," said Malonza.

Malonza said that the ministry will continue to actively engage with relevant stakeholders among them the ministry of Transport and Infrastructure to ensure thar the cruise industry benefits from the presence of essential infrastructure at the Kenyan coast

She said Kenya is ready to be part of the cruise tourism industry saying that the construction of the cruise ship terminal at the port by KPA is a laudable move and the first step towards tapping into the lucrative segment.

"The government will continue to develop and implement tourism policies that will improve the experiences of tourists visiting Kenya more specifically the coast region. These will include infrastructure projects such as the upgrading of the Moi International Airport in Mombasa, Ukunda Airstrip in Kwale as well as road infrastructure to support tourism," she said.

The KPA acting Managing Director Ambassador John Mwangemi said this was the first cruise ship to call to port at the newly constructed Cruise ship terminal after construction was completed in 2019.

 "The arrival of World Odyssey to the Kenyan coast is a positive nod and an affirmation of our country as a premier tourism destination and hub due to the varied fascinating experiences ‘Magical Kenya’ has to offer," he said.

 He reiterated that KPA is well equipped with all the facilities needed to welcome guests into the country. 

"We have customs and security installation together with all the necessary requirement. The next stage for KPA is to continue branding and marketing Kenya as a destination for this segment of the tourist industry," said Mwangemi.

He said that Cruise tourism is one of the most dynamic sectors that is international and has leveraged on the shipping and maritime industry to expand.  He added that before the advent of the covid-19 pandemic which significantly slowed it down, it was the fastest growing segment within 

the larger tourism industry.

"Since the early 2000’s, the Port of Mombasa has received numerous  cruise vessels bringing in thousands of tourists from all over the world to our shores," he said.

Mwangemi said KPA  has partnered with KTB and Port Management Association of East & Southern Africa (PMAESA) in promoting the Port of Mombasa as a cruise tourism destination to attract more vessels to the Indian seaboard through the Cruise Africa Association (CAA).

 He added that the state-of the art terminal is built to modern standards complete with various amenities including duty free shops, restaurants, conference facilities, passenger baggage areas, and offices for key stakeholders in the industry.

"The World Odyssey which has called our port today, operates the Worlds floating campus, an academic voyage for students commonly known as Semester at Sea," he said.

The Semester at Sea started its journey in Amsterdam, the Netherlands on 9th September 2022 and has cruised to Lisbon-Portugal, Casablanca Morocco, Valencia- Spain, Dubrovnik-Croatia, Piraeus-Greece, Limassol -Cyprus, Aqaba in Jordan and now Mombasa-Kenya.

 From Mombasa it heads to Mumbai India then to Dubai before returning to Mombasa again on January 29 for a five day stay.

"This is my first time in Kenya. I'm expecting to meet the local people interact with them and get to learn more about the culture" said Kanon Mori, one of the visitors.

Christine Karue is the winner of the Toastmasters Mombasa area 3 speech evaluation contest.

The 43-year-old clinical pscychologist from the Tamarind Toastmasters club was awarded on Wednesday evening during an open house and area evaluation and humuruos contest held at the Tamarind hotel, Mombasa.

Lalindra DeS Silva of the Kericho Gold club emerged the second.

Toastmasters is a non-profit organisation that teaches people public speaking through regional clubs. The organisation has 30,000 members, with 15,800 clubs in 149 countries. It has been around since 1924.

Toastmasters International has helped people from diverse backgrounds become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders.

In East Africa the organisation has member clubs in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Ethiopia.

Mombasa has over 120 members from different clubs including the Bamburi, Nyali, Mombasa Executives, Mombasa Island, Kericho gold and Tamarind clubs.

"I feel excited and grateful for having had the opportunity to test my toastmasters skills, I'm looking forward to seeing what the next level will be." said Karue.

Adding " I have been a toastmaster for four years now and I have learned alot about public speaking. i would like to encourage those who have not yet joined the clubs to do so since there is alot to learn."

Speaking during the event, the area 3 toastmasters director Wanjiru Mureith said the competition will now proceed to the next level which is the division level.

"There was a competition already held in these clubs and this was just a culmination, the winner will now go represent the area 3 clubs in the division conference" said Mureithi.

Adding "Competitions and contests are very important because we show people what toastmaster is all about. We also need to invite new members on a regular basis and this is one of the opportunities to invite new members so I would like to encourage people to join the clubs".

Three Mombasa youth based tech ideas have been awarded Sh300,000 seed capital each by UNDP after emerging top during a two day tech hack-a-thon competition held last weekend.

The awarding took place during the Blue Economy Innovation and Investment Summit that took place on Wednesday at Sote Hub in Nyali.

The event was graced by the Slovakian Ambassador to Kenya Katarina Zuffa Leligdonova who said that innovations and new solutions are crucial while addressing climate crisis or any other challenge a nation might be facing.

“I have been inspired today because the topic “green and blue” is close to my heart, we always say that we are ready to support any good idea, and this summit is one of them”

“Better understanding of challenges, decreasing vulnerability to climate change impacts and building climate resilience and putting forward smart solutions ,these are the reasons why we met here today,” said Zuffa.

She said that the key factor of development is the support of sustainable economic growth, job creation, as well as supporting mobilization of the Slovak resources and improving business climate in the partner countries.

She alluded to the fact that private sector engagement is a necessary condition for the success of development activities in every nation.

“To achieve this, we have created a special Private Sector Engagement Program. And in the pipeline is a project on investment in youth business in Africa,” she said.

The ambassador said that for non-commercial entities, they had a small grant programme for supporting small-scale development projects to enable a flexible and effective response to development needs at the local level.

She also announced that the embassy was planning to bringing over 25 Slovak companies in February next year to take part in a EU-Kenya Business Forum.

This she said will be a second visit of Slovak entrepreneurs to Kenya in less than a year.

“Without doubt it is a clear signal of increasing interest from our business environment and unique opportunities to develop further cooperation between Kenya and Slovakia,” Zuffa said.

She added that, “Kenya is our long-term development partner and main programme country since 2014. Our sectorial priorities are agriculture, job creation, education and health.”

David Ogiga, co-founder and director of Sote Hub said that the aim of the summit was to bring together all the stakeholders in the blue economy sector to share on the opportunities available and brainstorm on how best to develop solutions to challenges faced.

He said that technology in the modern world is an enabler and also an engine that fuels development.

“If we are able to employ technology then it will be able to help us enable our businesses to scale up, run efficiently and be able to offer services the best way to customers. We have so many opportunities for business in the blue economy, tech will enable us to collaborate and be more efficient,” he said.

Ogiga said that the incorporation of technology in to the blue economy sector was also about data which he said would make it possible to track progress.

The data he said would be very crucial in planning and making decisions both at the county and national level.

“If for instance we know the number of fishermen in Mombasa, we also need to know how much fish they can catch and how many they are selling in the market,” he said.

He added that incorporating technology into the blue economy sector will also go a long way in promoting value addition along the value chain.

He argued that most of operations are manual, therefore by deploying technology then one is able to automate operations which mean that output will be faster and in higher volumes.

“Technology  enhances value addition and when you enhance value addition, it means that you are  creating a balance between efficiency and productivity “

“Some might argue that introducing machines might lead to job cuts, but at the same time it creates jobs to those who can operate them, maintain and automate them. You cannot limit human activity from the equation,” he said.

He added that young people in Kenya were very creative and had developed innovative ideas, but the challenge is that they don’t know how to patent them saying that some people come with big investments and steal their ideas making millions of shillings as they live like paupers.

“We also held a discussion to know how we can help our young innovators to know at what point they need to register, whether it’s a trademark, patent or IP, they need to register and secure it,” he said.

The week-long event that ends on Thursday was funded by Slovak Aid with UNDP funding the seed capital to the top three innovators. Other partners in the project included Segal Family Foundation, Konza Technopolis and KTN Global. It was attended by notable partners in the Go Blue projects including GIZ Kenya,  Business Finland, MSEPT and KIMISITU SACCO.

The summit was co-organised by Sote Hub working with coast based hubs including Swahili Box, Close the Gap, BEI Hub, SwahiliPot, Tech Bridge and Global Youth Opportunity Network all under the Association of Countrywide Innovation Hubs in Kenya.