We all love the idea of hosting a crew hangout. The laughter, the music, the inside jokes that somehow resurface months later, that’s the good stuff. What nobody enjoys is being stuck in the kitchen, constantly refilling drinks, or missing the very moments you planned the whole thing for. This is a guide to reclaiming the art of hosting with ease.

Set the mood

Every great hangout starts before the first guest arrives. The mood matters. Start with a playlist that grows with the night — easy-going at first, then slowly picking up energy as conversations get louder and people settle in.

Fun props like oversized sunglasses, themed cups, and playful stickers soften the mood and make people feel relaxed. Even the seating arrangement makes a difference. A cozy corner invites conversation while open spaces make mingling easier.

What are you serving?

Then comes the hosting hack that saves every party: sort the drinks before everyone arrives. Nobody wants to spend the entire night playing bartender. Sometimes the best cocktail serves are the simplest ones, no complicated ingredients, no intimidating mixology, just familiar, delicious combinations poured over ice. That’s the true spirit of effortless cocktail enjoyment.

One serve that has quietly remained a classic is the Captain & Cola. Smooth Captain Morgan Gold topped with chilled cola over ice delivers an easy, laid-back drink that works for almost any vibe. From weekend linkups and house parties to nyama choma sessions and those random “one drink” meetups that somehow end at 3 am, it’s consistently delicious and unbelievably simple to make.

For something lighter and more refreshing, the Captain Lemonade is another easy crowd-pleaser. Captain Morgan Gold mixed with cold lemonade and served over ice brings a bright citrus twist that feels perfect for daytime hangs, rooftop catchups, or warm Nairobi evenings. It’s crisp, refreshing, and easy enough for anyone to put together in seconds.

And if you want something that feels a little more elevated without adding effort, the Captain Mojito is a perfect middle ground. A refreshing mix of Captain Morgan, mint, lime, and soda water creates that fresh cocktail-bar feel while still keeping things relaxed and approachable.  

And of course, without food, hangout itaboo. These easy cocktails pair effortlessly with a range of bites: samosas, choma sausages, fish fingers, sliders, or even chicken wings glazed with a light rum-infused sauce. The vanilla and caramel notes in Captain Morgan Gold work especially well with smoky, fried, or mildly spicy foods, creating that perfect bite-and-sip balance without feeling overly curated.

Entertainment

Once the setup is sorted, shared experiences are what people remember most. A simple game of Jenga can instantly get everyone laughing, while conversation prompts, trivia, or even a side puzzle table naturally pull people together without feeling forced.

At the end of the day, epic hangouts are never really about perfection; rather, the laughter that lingers long after midnight, the stories that somehow get funnier every time they are retold, and people feeling relaxed enough to fully be themselves. 

With barely 30 dermatologists serving over 54 million people, access to specialized care remains a distant reality for most Kenyans, particularly those outside Nairobi, Mombasa, and other major towns, according to the Kenya Association of Dermatologists (KAD).

Most people instead rely on general practitioners, pharmacists, or personal judgment to manage conditions that often demand expert care. The effects are visible: acne, eczema, and hyperpigmentation are on the rise, especially among urban youth.

Pollution, stress, diet changes, and constant sun exposure are turning these conditions from occasional annoyances into persistent health challenges. Left untreated, they worsen, becoming more complex and costly to manage.

Dr. Roop Saini, an internationally recognized board-certified Consultant Dermatologist and Kenya Association of Dermatologists (KAD) Committee member, speaks on the various skincare challenges facing consumers in Kenya, including acne and eczema that are prevalent among the youth population and children respectively.

“Skin is not just about appearance; it is the largest organ in the body and serves as a critical protective interface between us and the external environment,” said Dr. Roop Saini, a KAD committee member.

In the absence of specialists, self-treatment is skyrocketing, often guided by viral trends on social media rather than medical advice.

Skincare routines featuring harsh exfoliants and multiple active ingredients are increasingly common—but can do more harm than good.

“Many patients today are using multiple active ingredients at the same time and inappropriate viral trends,” Dr. Saini warned. “Most skincare problems today are caused by doing too much and too often.”

When the skin barrier is compromised, it becomes more sensitive, reactive, and slower to heal, leading to ongoing issues like moisture loss, irritation, and infection.

People with darker, melanin-rich skin are particularly prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, leaving behind persistent dark marks that affect both appearance and confidence.

Experts say this shortage isn’t just a treatment gap—it’s an information gap. Many Kenyans lack access to basic, medically sound guidance on skin care.

“From a dermatologist’s perspective, good skincare is actually preventative medicine,” Dr. Saini emphasized. Simple routines—gentle cleansing, proper moisturization, and daily sunscreen—can prevent many common conditions before they start.

Despite this, misconceptions persist. Over-washing, chasing viral routines, or layering too many products often worsens problems.

Kenya’s skincare market is slowly shifting toward science-backed solutions. Pharmacy-led guidance is bridging the gap between self-care and specialist treatment, and clinically developed dermo-cosmetic brands like Avène and Ducray are entering the market, offering products that strengthen the skin barrier and complement medical care.

Still, experts caution that products alone are not enough. Solving Kenya’s skin health crisis will require expanding dermatology training, improving access outside major cities, and increasing public education on proper skin care.

According to the Global Mind Health in 2025 report released by Sapien Labs, Kenyans aged 18 to 34 recorded a Mind Health Quotient (MHQ) score of 63, placing the country among the top performers globally. Ghana and Nigeria took the first two positions, with the top five countries all coming from sub-Saharan Africa.

The report draws on data collected from nearly one million respondents across 84 countries. It found that 41 per cent of internet-enabled young adults globally are experiencing mental health challenges of clinical significance, affecting their emotional, cognitive, social, and physical functioning.

Kenya’s performance stands in contrast to trends in higher-income regions, including North America, Europe, and parts of Asia, which ranked near the bottom.

A photo of Kenyan youth during a past event. /CAPITAL GROUP

Researchers linked Kenya’s strong showing to several protective factors. The country ranked 14th globally in youth spirituality, a measure strongly associated with improved mental health outcomes. It also ranked 73rd in ultra-processed food consumption among young adults, placing it in the lower third globally for intake levels.

The study further indicates that Kenyan youth tend to adopt smartphones later compared to peers in wealthier nations, with an average first-use age of 16.9 years. Early smartphone exposure is cited in the report as one of the contributors to declining mental health outcomes globally.

However, the data also highlights emerging concerns. Family closeness among young Kenyans appears to be declining. While 78 per cent of adults aged 55 and above reported strong family bonds, only 60 per cent of those aged 18 to 34 reported the same. The younger group ranked 47th globally on family closeness, compared to 28th for older adults.

Older Kenyans recorded significantly stronger mental health outcomes overall. Those aged 55 and above posted an average MHQ score of 107, well above the 63 recorded among young adults. This generational gap mirrors a global pattern identified in the report.

“As of the early 2000s, this age group enjoyed ‘the greatest well-being of all age groups’; today, the trend has reversed,” the report notes.

“The mind health crisis appears to be a progressive slide from generation to generation and goes far beyond rising rates of depression and anxiety,” explained Tara Thiagarajan, founder and chief scientist at Sapien Labs and lead author of the report.

“We assessed a wide range of capacities essential for navigating life’s challenges and found that many young adults are struggling. Alongside depression and anxiety, they often experience challenges across emotional control, handling relationships with others, and their ability to focus.”

The report identifies four primary factors driving the global decline in youth mental health: early smartphone adoption during childhood, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, weakening family bonds, and reduced spirituality.

Researchers noted that the generational gap in mental health outcomes began emerging before 2020 and widened significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the past five years, the gap has remained largely unchanged.

The findings point to significant regional disparities, with sub-Saharan Africa outperforming wealthier nations despite lower income levels. However, the consistent trend across all countries shows that younger adults continue to fare worse than older generations.

The report warns that the long-term economic and social implications could be significant if large numbers of young people enter the workforce with compromised mental well-being.

Long queues of job seekers in their hundreds wait to hand in their documents at county hall in Nairobi, Kenya. /NATION MEDIA GROUP

This success with African travellers contributed to Dubai’s tourism industry achieving a record-breaking 19.59 million international visitors in 2025, marking a 5% year-on-year increase. While Western Europe led with 21% of total visitors, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions contributed a combined 26% of total arrivals.

The GCC, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, accounted for 15% (2.99 million visitors), while MENA, encompassing countries like Egypt, Morocco, and Jordan, contributed 11% (2.17 million visitors).

December 2025 marked a historic milestone for Dubai, as the city welcomed 2.04 million international overnight visitors in a single calendar month for the first time. This growth was bolstered by major events like the Dubai Shopping Festival and the Dubai Fitness Challenge, which saw a record-breaking 3 million participants, up from 2.7 million in 2024.

His Excellency Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai), reflected on this achievement, stating: "With powerful momentum after surpassing the 2 million figures for a single month in December for the first time, we are committed to creating exceptional guest experiences and strengthening Dubai’s position as a leading global destination."

He added, "Guided by visionary leadership, Dubai’s record international visitation is a testament to global confidence in the destination and the effectiveness of policies aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33. This milestone reflects the collective strength of partnerships across sectors and communities that define our city."

The city’s diversified destination strategy, supported by partnerships with over 3,000 international stakeholders, is closely aligned with the Dubai Economic Agenda, D33, which aims to double the size of the emirate’s economy by 2033. Tourism and hospitality remain key drivers of economic growth, contributing significantly to Dubai’s GDP and supporting its ambition to become the world’s leading city for business, leisure, and investment.

Kazim emphasized the importance of collaboration in achieving these results, stating: "In partnership with stakeholders across the public and private sectors, we remain dedicated to sustained investment in capacity, infrastructure development, and initiatives to make Dubai the world’s best city to visit, live, and work in."

Dubai’s success in attracting tourists, including African travellers, can be attributed to several key factors. Campaigns like "Visit Dubai" and partnerships with African influencers and tour agents have helped debunk misconceptions about Dubai, addressing concerns around alcohol availability, nightlife, dress codes, and Ramadan restrictions. Its reputation as one of the world’s safest cities has further enhanced its appeal to African families and solo travellers.

In 2025, Dubai was ranked among the top 10 safest cities globally in Numbeo’s Safety Index, with high scores for personal safety and for women feeling safe walking alone at night. Additionally, Dubai became the first Certified Autism Destination in the Eastern Hemisphere, showcasing its commitment to accessibility and inclusivity.

For African travellers, Dubai offers a wide variety of experiences, from the thrill of Hatta Wadi adventure park to world-class dining and nightlife on the 44th floor of iconic skyscrapers. Its gastronomy scene, influenced by nearly 200 nationalities, has also gained global recognition. In 2025, Dubai restaurants like Trèsind Studio and Orfali Bros earned spots on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list, further solidifying the city’s reputation as a global culinary capital.

Dubai’s hotel and accommodation sector has also played a key role in supporting tourism growth. By the end of 2025, Dubai’s hotel inventory reached 154,264 rooms across 827 establishments, with an average occupancy rate of 80.7%, up from 78.2% in 2024. New property openings, such as the world’s tallest hotel, Ciel Dubai Marina, and the Jumeirah Marsa Al Arab, further enhanced Dubai’s reputation as a global leader in hospitality.

As Dubai continues to enhance its global competitiveness, African tourists are expected to play a growing role in the city’s tourism success. The UAE’s Year of the Family in 2026 will reinforce values of inclusivity and shared heritage through authentic cultural experiences and community gatherings. Major infrastructure projects, such as the expansion of Al Maktoum International Airport and the construction of the Dubai Metro Blue Line, will make the city even more accessible and welcoming.

The clips, which gained traction on Friday, February 13, showed the content creator approaching women at random in public spaces like malls and supermarkets. After swapping contacts, he would reportedly invite them to his short-term rental apartment, where he continued filming their time together before allegedly sleeping with them.

Although the videos did not contain explicit content, some Kenyans argued that such escapades could not be entirely dismissed as innocent.

As debate swirled over the moral and social implications of his actions, concerns emerged about the way foreign nationals treat Kenyan women. Veteran journalist Ferdinand Omondi noted that the TikToker had violated the women’s privacy by recording them without clear consent.

Photo of adult filming taking place. /STANDARD DIGITAL

"Adults make personal choices every day, but no such personal decision cancels the right to privacy, and grants one permission to secretly record and expose someone. Consent to sex is not consent to filming. Consent to filming is not consent to publication," he remarked.

Omondi also took issue with Kenyans who resorted to victim-blaming and mocking the women involved, warning that such reactions blur ethical lines and help normalize exploitation.

Others questioned why the women agreed to visit the influencer’s home, especially amid rising femicide cases in the country.

On the other hand, some Kenyans suggested the TikToker might simply have been seeking companionship, with no harm intended. “He probably just needs company. I would not mind if he invited me next, though; he does not seem that bad to me,” commented a user named Zoe.

New findings revealed that the same individual, identified as Yaytseslav, had reportedly pulled similar stunts in Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, and Ghana.

What The Law Says About Filming Without Consent

The Kenyan legal landscape in 2026 provides robust protection against the unauthorized recording and publication of personal images. Under Article 31 of the Constitution and the Data Protection Act, every individual has a fundamental right to privacy, which includes the right to control their likeness.

Legal precedents and guidance from the Office of the Data Protection Commissioner (ODPC) have clarified that an individual’s face and voice constitute personal data. Therefore, any content creator—including foreign nationals—must obtain express, informed, and specific consent before filming someone and, crucially, a separate consent before publishing that footage online.

The consequences for "clout-chasing" without permission are severe under the current regulatory framework. The ODPC is empowered to impose administrative fines of up to Ksh 5 million or 1% of an entity's annual turnover for data breaches.

Furthermore, the Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes (Amendment) Act of 2025 has introduced even stricter penalties for cyber harassment and the non-consensual sharing of information that causes distress. If a recording takes place in a private setting where there is a "reasonable expectation of privacy," such as a short-term rental or Airbnb, the offender could face up to 10 years in prison or a fine of Ksh 20 million.

Foreign content creators are also subject to the Films and Stage Plays Act (Cap 222), which is strictly enforced by the Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB). Any person filming for public exhibition or commercial gain is required to possess a valid filming license and, in the case of foreigners, must be facilitated by a registered local film agent.

Recording "incognito" or under the guise of private companionship to later publish the content for a global audience is a violation of these licensing requirements. This can lead not only to the immediate confiscation of equipment and deletion of the footage but also to potential deportation and blacklisting from the country.

Victims of such unauthorized filming have clear avenues for recourse in 2026. They can formally lodge a complaint with the ODPC using "Form DPC 1" to initiate an investigation into the misuse of their personal data. Additionally, reporting the incident to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Cybercrime Unit allows for the prosecution of criminal elements related to harassment or illegal recording.

As the digital economy grows, the Kenyan government has made it clear that "clout" does not supersede the law, and the right to privacy remains a non-negotiable protection for all citizens.

A photo of the city of Moscow in Russia. /PLANETÉ ENERGIES

The two brands, owned by French pharmaceutical group Pierre Fabre Laboratories, were launched amid rising skin-health awareness across East Africa, a trend that has driven rapid growth in the dermo-cosmetics segment, outpacing the wider beauty and personal care market.

Consumers are increasingly shifting toward clinically tested, fragrance-safe products distributed through pharmacies and recommended by dermatologists.

“Kenya is the anchor market for dermo-cosmetics in East Africa. Its strong dermatology community, established pharmacy network, and informed consumers make it an ideal gateway for scaling responsibly across the region,” noted Pierre Behnam, Director of International Strategic Partnerships at Pierre Fabre Laboratories.

Dr. Roop Saini, a committee member of the Kenya Association of Dermatologists (KAD), makes her presentation during the official launch of Avène and Ducray in Kenya on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Fernando Junoy, International Head at Pierre Fabre Laboratories, linked the expansion to broader changes in consumer demand across the continent.

“Our expansion into Kenya reflects the growing demand across Africa for dermatologist-endorsed, medical-grade skincare. We look forward to working closely with Kenya’s healthcare community to deliver solutions designed for high-sun, high-humidity environments,” he explained.

Industry data highlights the scale of the challenge the brands are targeting. According to the Kenya Association of Dermatologists (KAD), acne and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation affect up to 46 per cent of young adults in urban East Africa, while eczema, dryness, and atopic dermatitis account for nearly a quarter of dermatology consultations. KAD also indicates that up to 60 per cent of pigmentation cases are triggered by sun exposure, increasing the risk of uneven skin tone and premature ageing.

Rosemary Ayieko, Head of East Africa at Groupe Ethica, emphasised the significance of the partnership in addressing these gaps.

“Partnering with Pierre Fabre allows us to bring advanced, dermatologist-backed skincare to East African consumers at a time when demand for clinically tested pharmacy-led solutions is rapidly growing. This collaboration is set to strengthen the region’s dermo-cosmetic landscape and deliver products tailored for sensitive, and melanin-rich skin,” she observed.

Dermatologists have also welcomed the entry of the brands, citing growing environmental and lifestyle-related skin risks. Speaking during the launch, Dr Roop Saini, a committee member of the Kenya Association of Dermatologists, highlighted the need for long-term, evidence-based care.

“Across Kenya, we are seeing high rates of acne, eczema, pigmentation disorders, and hair loss, many of which require long-term management. At the same time, cumulative sun exposure is driving a rise in UV-related skin conditions, highlighting the urgent need for accessible and effective photo-protection,” Dr Saini remarked.

“The arrival of Avène and Ducray is therefore timely, providing dermatology-backed solutions that address these challenges and support healthier skin outcomes for Kenyans.”

Avène is introducing products focused on sensitive-skin care, including its Thermal Spring Water, Cleanance range for acne-prone skin, Cicalfate+ for skin repair, and Ultra Fluid SPF 50+ sunscreen formulated for equatorial UV exposure.

Ducray is rolling out targeted treatments for acne, eczema, hyperpigmentation, hair loss, and chronic scalp disorders, including Keracnyl, Dexyane, Melascreen, and Neoptide.

The products are now available through leading pharmacies and approved medical retail outlets across Kenya, expanding access to clinically validated skincare tailored to the country’s climate and diverse skin needs.

Select Avène and Ducray products on display at the official launch in Nairobi.

The North Coast development also emerged runner-up for Best Conference Hotel, signalling its growing pull beyond leisure travel and into the corporate and MICE space, a segment Kenya is aggressively courting.

The awards ceremony, recently held at the Argyle Grand Hotel in Nairobi, brought together key players from the tourism and hospitality sector. The Kenya Tourism Awards recognise excellence, innovation, and sustainability across the industry, while spotlighting brands shaping Kenya’s competitiveness on regional and global stages.

“Winning Best Golf Resort for the second year in a row is a strong endorsement of the standards we have set across golf and sustainability,” Vipingo Ridge CEO Alex Horsey remarked during the ceremony.

Alex Horsey, CEO of Vipingo Ridge, poses with the Best Golf Resort award, won for the second year running at the Kenya Tourism Awards 2025 held at Argyle Grand Hotel, Nairobi. /PHOTO

“Recognition in the conferencing category also reflects the progress we are making as we expand Vipingo Ridge’s offerings and attract a diverse mix of travellers across the world. Our focus remains on building a destination that delivers exceptional experiences while contributing to Kenya’s tourism growth.”

Located in Kilifi County, Vipingo Ridge hosts Africa’s only PGA-accredited golf course, a distinction that has placed it firmly on the international golf tourism map. 

The course offers professional-grade facilities for training, tournaments, and elite play, drawing both local and international golfers while elevating Kenya’s profile as a serious golf destination.

Beyond golf, the resort has invested heavily in conferencing infrastructure, positioning itself as a hybrid destination where business and leisure intersect.

Industry observers view the latest recognition as a signal of shifting tourism trends, with high-end travellers and corporate clients increasingly seeking integrated experiences outside traditional urban hubs.

Golf Tourism

Golf tourism is a niche segment of the travel industry where visitors plan trips primarily to play golf, often combining their rounds with sightseeing, hospitality, and other leisure experiences.

Golf tourists typically spend significantly more per trip than average tourists—around $3,200 (Ksh412,814) per visit in Kenya, nearly three times the spending of regular leisure travelers. This makes the sector a high-yield market for the country, with visitors contributing heavily to accommodation, food, transport, and local services.

In Kenya, golf tourism is growing but remains an emerging market compared to established destinations like South Africa, Morocco, or Spain.

The country has over 40 golf courses, several of which host international and regional events, including the Kenya Open on the European Tour circuit. Strategic efforts by the Kenya Tourism Board to market the country as a golf destination, along with exposure from tournaments, have increased interest from Europe, the Middle East, and other key markets.

While there are no official figures isolating revenue from golf tourism, industry estimates highlight its economic potential. With each golf tourist spending an average of $3,200, attracting 100,000 golf visitors annually could generate over Ksh50 billion (around $380 million) in direct revenue.

By comparison, Kenya’s total tourism earnings in 2024 were approximately Ksh452 billion ($3.5 billion), with forecasts pointing to over KSh650 billion ($5 billion) in 2025 as the sector continues to recover and grow.

Globally, golf tourism is expanding at an estimated 3–9 percent per year, driven by trends in luxury, experiential, and sports-focused travel. Kenya is tapping into this growth by improving infrastructure, developing world-class courses, and hosting international events, all aimed at attracting higher-spending visitors.

Overall, golf tourism in Kenya represents a high-value, fast-growing niche that has the potential to significantly boost the country’s tourism revenues while enhancing its global profile as a multi-dimensional travel destination.

As Kenya pushes to diversify its tourism offering, Vipingo Ridge’s back-to-back win underscores a broader shift: luxury, sustainability, and multi-purpose destinations are no longer optional—they are the new baseline.

A man plays golf next to a giraffe at Vipingo Ridge. /CNN

The two-day tournament drew crowds eager for high-intensity sport, culture, and lifestyle, with the lawns of the Nairobi Polo Club doubling as a stage for fashion and social gatherings.

Guests embraced the classic polo aesthetic, with accessories and style taking centre stage alongside the action on the pitch.

Tusker Malt, which has partnered with the Nairobi Polo Club for five years, offered fans an interactive craft station, giving attendees a look at the malt brewing process while mingling with players and spectators.

Tusker Malt Anchors the Chairman’s Cup at Nairobi’s Polo Season Finale. /PHOTO

Speaking at the event, Rediet Yigezu, Senior Brand Manager Premium Beer, said: “It has been a proud moment to partner with Nairobi Polo throughout this season, as polo has provided us with a platform that elevates the Nairobi social scene through premium experiences, connections, and interactions with our customers and partners."

"As the curtains fall for the season, our promise is to deliver a memorable experience and give our customers a glimpse into the delicate artistry behind the distinct taste of the beer.”

The tournament also capped a season of Tusker Malt-sponsored polo events, including the Lagos Incoming Tour for the Simon Kuseyo Memorial Cup and the Kenya International Cup in September 2025, featuring top teams from Kenya and South Africa.

Alongside the sport, collaborations with Nyandisa Styling and Epica Jewellery added a fashion and design element, with interactive stations highlighting craftsmanship in jewellery and styling.

The Chairman’s Cup weekend combined competitive polo with a social and lifestyle experience, underscoring the growing appeal of the sport in Nairobi’s social calendar.

The high-level showcase held on Friday, January 30, featured 160 award-winning wines from 44 producers spanning 11 of Italy’s most celebrated wine-growing regions.

The roadshow attracted top importers, distributors, hospitality executives, and wine professionals, with discussions extending beyond tastings into portfolio strategy, provenance, and long-term business opportunities for East Africa’s Hotels, Restaurants, and Catering (HoReCa) sector.

The event came at a critical moment for Kenya-Italy trade ties. Italian wine imports into Kenya hit USD 2.67 million (Ksh347.4 million) in 2023, before growing by another 12 per cent in 2024. Italy now controls 11 per cent of Kenya’s wine import value, ranking as the third-largest supplier after South Africa and France.

Restaurateurs and wine enthusiasts attend a masterclass session at the 3rd edition of the Gambero Rosso Top Italian Wines Roadshow on January 30, 2026 at Shamba Café, Nairobi. /HANDOUT

Italian Ambassador to Kenya, Vincenzo Del Monaco, stressed that wine plays a deeper diplomatic and cultural role beyond commerce.

“Wine is a gateway to deeper engagement and a medium for intercultural exchanges and strengthening bonds. It embodies culture, territory, and national identity. This showcase highlights the quality and diversity of Italian wines while reinforcing the strong economic and diplomatic ties between Italy and Kenya, a priority partner for Italy across business, science, culture, and investment,” he noted.

Italy exports roughly 400 million Euros (Ksh61.7 billion) worth of goods to Kenya annually, highlighting the strength of the broader economic partnership between the two nations.

Industry experts also point to fast-rising demand driven by Kenyan consumers becoming more globally exposed and culturally curious. Victoria Mulu-Munywoki, Wine Consultant, Radio Co-Host and Wine & Spirits Judge, linked the roadshow’s consistent return to strong producer confidence in Kenya’s market potential.

“This event has grown alongside Kenya’s wine scene, with recorded growth of 33% in 2024 and 44% in 2025 of Italian Wine imports, driven primarily by a more informed and curious consumer base shaped by travel and cultural exposure. Part of that is due to the success of the three editions of the " Gambero Rosso Top Italian Wine Roadshow”, she noted.

She added that Nairobi now ranks alongside global cities hosting similar showcases, strengthening Kenya’s standing in the international wine trade.

Italian wine diversity took centre stage through guided tastings and masterclasses led by Marco Sabellico, Editor and Food & Wine Expert at Gambero Rosso’s Guida Vini d’Italia. The sessions highlighted Italy’s heritage of hundreds of native grape varieties and its deeply rooted food-wine culture.

Event organisers VinPodium, working alongside Mulu-Munywoki, highlighted Nairobi’s shift from an emerging wine market into a regional trendsetter for East and Central Africa.

“We are seeing a steady expansion of Italian wine varieties beyond restaurants and lounges and into the retail and grocery spaces, blending the huge Italian wine heritage with local cuisine and Kenyan consumption patterns”, noted VinPodium Co-Founder Mark Artivor.

Top Wine Places

The roadshow also recognised top culinary and wine establishments serving Italian cuisine across Nairobi and the Coast, including Solo Grano, La Terrazza, Lucca at Kempinski, Roberto’s Mombasa, Sunset Watamu, and Visiwa.

The Wine Box emerged as Best Wine Shop in Kenya, while Enoteca, Liv Vin, and Wine & More Kenya (Diani) also received recognition. In a new retail category, Roberto’s Urban Market earned honours for excellence in Italian food retail.

Now firmly positioned as a flagship industry event, the Gambero Rosso Top Italian Wines Roadshow continues to connect Italian producers with East Africa’s professional wine trade ecosystem, reinforcing Kenya’s role as a strategic gateway for Italian exports into the region.

About Gambero Rosso

Gambero Rosso is a leading authority in Italian food and wine, with nearly 40 years of global influence through its Guida dei Vini, TV channel, and international academies. Starting in 1986 as a newspaper insert, its first wine guide launched in 1988, followed by dozens of publications.

In 1999, the Gambero Rosso Channel began broadcasting, and the brand expanded with Città del Gusto sites and worldwide academies offering culinary, wine, and hospitality courses. Today, it hosts over 40 global events and is publicly listed on the stock market.

Attendees sample wines during the 3rd edition of the Gambero Rosso Top Italian Wines Roadshow on January 30, 2026 at Shamba Café, Nairobi. /HANDOUT

According to healthcare reporting on dermatological trends in Kenya, skin-related issues like acne, eczema, hyperpigmentation, and dryness account for roughly 10–30 percent of all outpatient dermatology visits nationwide, a striking share that signals a widespread problem, not a niche concern.

In western Kenya, a cross-sectional health survey found that about 11.2 percent of people overall have acne, with sharp increases (28–38 percent) seen among urban adolescents, pointing to environmental and lifestyle triggers.

At a major dermatology clinic in Kiambu, eczema was diagnosed in more than a quarter (25.5 percent) of all patients, further underscoring how many Kenyans live with chronic skin irritation or inflammation.

Put together, these figures suggest that as many as one in every three Kenyans experiences some form of skin condition at a given time; a number that rises in urban centres where pollution, intense sun exposure, diet changes, and stress converge.

While skin disorders affect billions globally, Kenya’s equatorial climate, rapid urbanization, and limited access to specialized dermatology services are amplifying the local impact.

Dermatologists say many patients delay seeking professional care, often relying on over-the-counter products or social media advice until symptoms worsen.

A recurring issue is damage to the skin barrier, leaving skin sensitive, reactive, and slow to heal. This has increased demand for dermo-cosmetic products — formulations developed with pharmaceutical-grade standards and recommended by skin specialists rather than driven purely by cosmetic appeal.

The increasing demand for international dermatology brands such as Avene and Ducray, which focus on skin and scalp conditions reflect a broader shift in how Kenyans are approaching skin health. 

Increasingly, consumers are seeking science-backed, dermatologist-endorsed solutions that address underlying skin and scalp conditions rather than masking symptoms. Beyond physical discomfort, persistent skin problems often affect confidence, work life, and mental well-being. 

As awareness grows, health experts stress that skin and scalp health should be treated as medical and lifestyle concerns, shaped by environment, routine, and long-term care; not just beauty trends.

For many Kenyans, the conversation is slowly changing: from quick fixes to informed care, and from cosmetic promise to clinical credibility.

Photo of a woman applying lotion to her skin. /SIMPLICOSMETICS.CO.KE

This growing moderation mindset is not about stepping away from alcohol altogether, but about redefining enjoyment on one’s own terms.

From wellness-led communities and daytime social plans to longer, more layered occasions that stretch from afternoon into evening, consumers are seeking options that allow them to stay present without overindulging. As a result, the alcohol category is beginning to reflect a broader spectrum of needs, creating room for lighter, more sessionable choices that complement modern lifestyles.

Brands are increasingly recognising that moderation is no longer a niche behaviour, but a mainstream consideration. It sits alongside conversations around mental clarity, productivity, fitness, and social connection, especially among urban consumers who want flexibility without feeling excluded from shared experiences.

A photo of chilled White Cap Crisp

Within this context, White Cap Crisp has found relevance by offering an option that fits naturally into moderation-led moments. Rather than positioning itself as a replacement or alternative to traditional beer experiences, the brand supports consumers who want to pace themselves while still participating fully in social occasions.

Commenting on this shift, Faith Musyoka, White Cap Crisp Brand Manager, said: “We are seeing more consumers who want to be intentional about their drinking without disconnecting from the moments that matter. Moderation today is about choice and flexibility, and our role is to ensure there are options that allow people to enjoy responsibly while still feeling part of the occasion.”

This approach reflects a broader recalibration within the industry; one that acknowledges that enjoyment does not have to be tied to intensity. For many consumers, the value lies in refreshment, rhythm, and the ability to engage longer with friends, activities, and conversations.

As moderation continues to shape social behaviour, brands that understand this nuance, meeting consumers where they are rather than telling them how to drink will remain relevant. The future of social enjoyment, it seems, is less about extremes and more about balance.

With one in six Kenyans reportedly using at least one substance of abuse, the national conversation is shifting, from whether action is needed, to how drinking itself should be reimagined.

At the heart of this debate lies an often-overlooked tool: alcohol education, particularly the kind embedded in wine culture, as a pathway toward moderation rather than excess.

While the most abused alcohol in Kenya remains beer at 56 percent, according to historical data, followed by spirits at 22 percent, wine drinkers, who account for a marginal two percent, tend to demonstrate more disciplined habits, often approaching drinking as a social and sensory experience rather than a pursuit of intoxication.

Globally, wine occupies a distinctly different cultural space from spirits and illicit brews. It is commonly consumed with food, enjoyed slowly, and contextualized through origin, craftsmanship, and tradition.

This distinction is significant. In societies with deeply rooted wine cultures, alcohol consumption is less about intoxication and more about experience and appreciation.

Kenya’s growing wine scene reflects these global patterns. Platforms such as Gambero Rosso, a globally respected authority in wine education and culinary culture, illustrate how alcohol literacy can coexist with commercial growth. Italy, for instance, sustains one of the world’s largest wine industries while recording comparatively low levels of alcohol abuse.

This outcome is largely attributed to early exposure to wine education, food-centred consumption, and social norms that discourage excess by shifting behaviour away from quantity-driven drinking toward quality and experience-led choices. An understanding of alcohol content, serving sizes, and responsible pacing equips consumers to make more informed decisions.

Formal wine education plays a central role in shaping these behaviours. Training programmes emphasize tasting, pairing, and appreciation; subtly discouraging binge drinking while promoting restraint. By prioritizing knowledge, certification, and culture, wine is framed as a social good rather than a party stimulant, aligning closely with the government’s call for responsible consumption.

The Hotel, Restaurants, and Café (HoReCa) sector, including sommeliers or certified wine experts, remains critical to this transition.

A trained sommelier does more than suggest a bottle; they encourage moderation through portion control, thoughtful food pairing, and appropriate wine selection. In established wine markets, this professional gatekeeping has proven effective in normalizing responsible drinking without diminishing social enjoyment.

As Kenya tightens regulation and enforcement, education around choice and consumption may be the missing link.

A moderated but thriving wine culture alone will not resolve addiction, but when applied as part of a broader public health strategy, it offers a credible alternative, one where enjoyment, economic opportunity, and responsibility can exist side by side.

At the crossroads between sherehe and sheria, Kenya’s future drinking culture may ultimately depend less on restrictions and more on knowledge.

Victoria Mulu-Munywoki, Wine Consultant, Radio Co-Host and Wine & Spirits judge, delivering a Wine masterclass at the 2nd edition of The Gambero Rosso Top Italian Wine Roadshow on January 30, 2025, in Nairobi, Kenya. /HANDOUT

In a statement dated January 15, the regulator flagged a growing trend in which some tour operators are ferrying tourists along public roads and highways using open-sided Land Cruisers, a move it termed illegal.

TRA clarified that open-sided Land Cruisers are licensed solely for game drives and photography within designated wildlife zones, including national parks, national reserves, and registered conservancies.

An open-sided Land Cruiser at the Maasai Mara National Reserve. /FACEBOOK

"These vehicles are not designed nor approved for use on public roads and highways, as their open configuration and limited protective features expose passengers to heightened safety risks," the Authority stated.

To curb the practice, tourists and clients were advised not to request or push for the use of open-sided Land Cruisers for transfers or travel outside approved wildlife areas.

Tour operators were also directed to comply strictly with their licensing terms by limiting the use of such vehicles to parks, reserves, and conservancies, and only for their authorised purposes.

TRA cautioned that operating open-sided Land Cruisers on public highways amounts to a breach of licensing and safety standards under Kenyan law.

"The use of such vehicles on public highways constitutes non-compliance with licensing and safety requirements and may attract regulatory action in line with the Tourism Act, 2011 and applicable regulations," TRA stated.

It added, "This directive is issued in the interest of safeguarding visitor safety, promoting responsible tourism operations, and preserving the integrity and reputation of Kenya's safari experience."

What The Law States

Under the Tourism Act of 2011, TRA holds the mandate to suspend a tourism licence where a business violates the law, with repeated breaches risking outright revocation.

Operators who flout licensing or safety rules also risk fines of up to Ksh100,000, a jail term of up to 18 months, or both.

Back in December 2025, the Kenya Wildlife Services (KWS) launched bus shuttle services at Nairobi National Park, Aberdare National Park, and Lake Nakuru National Park for the festive season. According to a notice from the service, operations began on November 16, 2025.

Primarily running on weekends and public holidays, the shuttles provide visitors with the opportunity to enjoy game drives without needing their own vehicles.

While running clubs and wellness collectives have existed in Nairobi for years, 2024/2025 saw the rise of large, organized, and inclusive running communities from neighbourhood morning runs to city-wide themed marathons. This growing tribe of conscious living socially engaged individuals mirrors the exact ethos of White Cap Crisp: light, refreshing, and made for those who move with purpose.

White Cap Crisp has leaned into a powerful truth: running is not just about fitness, it’s about belonging. By partnering with some of Nairobi’s most influential running crews, wellness collectives, and event organizers, the brand has become a natural fit in spaces where people gather to challenge themselves, celebrate small wins, and embrace moderation.

Through tailored hydration points, post-run hangout experiences, co-branded merchandise, and presence at major weekly runs, White Cap Crisp is actively shaping what modern Kenyan wellness looks like. 

Kenya Breweries LTD running club members.

What sets White Cap Crisp apart is its understanding that culture is built over time, through consistency and genuine presence. The brand isn’t merely appearing at events; it is embedding itself into the rhythm of the city, showing up every weekend where the runners are, and curating experiences that make every stride worth it.

By aligning with the rising demand for mindful socialization and active lifestyles, White Cap Crisp has positioned itself at the sweet spot where wellness meets celebration. This presence signals a larger movement towards balanced living, a narrative that consumers resonate strongly with. As the running culture continues to flourish, White Cap Crisp’s role goes beyond brand visibility. It’s about encouraging moderation without compromise and redefining social culture through activity-driven engagement.

White Cap Crisp isn’t simply sponsoring runs; it’s empowering a lifestyle. By standing firmly at the intersection of wellness, community, and Kenyan culture, the brand is carving out a new identity for what it means to be a modern social drink: refreshing, intentional, and aligned with an entire generation’s pursuit of better living.

As Nairobi’s pavements, parks, and streets fill with runners every weekend, one thing is clear: The running culture is here to stay, and White Cap Crisp is running right beside it.

However, it is often said that New Year's Eve night presents one of the most dangerous nights ever in Nairobi. Here, the risks increase due to a mix of overcrowding, infrastructure challenges, and limited enforcement, making careful planning and vigilance essential for anyone hitting the city’s nightlife that night.

Usually, the city's hotspots such as Westlands, Kilimani, and the CBD pull massive crowds, creating higher chances of fights, theft, and accidents.

Traffic chaos adds another layer of risk, with frustrated drivers and reckless maneuvers sometimes causing crashes. Heavy drinking, combined with unlicensed taxis, late-night walking, and poor planning, increases the likelihood of incidents, while ride-hailing surges and scams can leave revelers stranded or exposed to unsafe situations.

Crowded streets and parking areas also attract pickpockets, and with the city so packed, emergency response can be delayed.

Thus, beyond the fireworks and champagne toasts, this night comes with clear rules, logistical realities, and safety considerations that partygoers ignore at their own risk.

This explainer breaks down what to expect and how to navigate a night out in Nairobi on December 31.

Planning is no longer optional

Unlike regular weekends, New Year’s Eve in Nairobi operates largely on pre-booked access. Most high-end clubs, rooftop lounges, and entertainment venues require advance tickets or table reservations. Walk-ins are increasingly rare, particularly in Westlands and Kilimani, where venues routinely hit capacity hours before midnight.

Event organizers often introduce tiered pricing, with early-bird tickets selling out days or weeks in advance and last-minute tickets going at a premium. Revelers who fail to secure entry early often find themselves locked out, regardless of how early they arrive at the door.

Age restrictions are also strictly enforced. Entry into clubs and bars is limited to patrons aged 18 and above, and security teams are known to demand national IDs or passports.

Dress codes and access control

Dress codes remain a defining feature of New Year’s Eve nightlife in Nairobi. Many premium venues enforce smart-casual or party attire, with management reserving the right to deny entry based on appearance.

While enforcement varies, casual outfits that may pass on ordinary weekends can result in denial on New Year’s Eve, particularly at upscale locations.

Security checks are also tighter. Expect bag searches, metal detectors, and visible private security presence. These measures, while time-consuming, are aimed at managing the unusually large crowds and reducing the risk of incidents.

Safety takes center stage

Safety concerns dominate New Year’s Eve planning in Nairobi, especially after the midnight crossover. Authorities and nightlife operators consistently urge revelers to avoid walking alone at night, particularly in unfamiliar areas. Group movement is strongly advised, both for personal safety and logistical ease.

Ride-hailing services such as Uber and Bolt remain the preferred transport option, though users should brace for heavy demand and surge pricing. Booking rides earlier in the evening or pre-arranging transport is increasingly recommended, as securing a car after midnight can be both expensive and time-consuming.

Patrons are also urged to remain vigilant with their drinks. Leaving beverages unattended or accepting drinks from unknown individuals poses risks, especially in packed venues where movement is constant and oversight is limited.

Emergency preparedness is another critical factor. Emergency hotlines such as 999 or 112 should be saved in advance, alongside trusted contacts. Sharing live location details with friends or family is now a common practice among seasoned partygoers.

Crowds, traffic, and timing

Traffic congestion is one of the defining features of New Year’s Eve in Nairobi. Roads leading to nightlife hubs—including Waiyaki Way, Ngong Road, Lang’ata Road, Nairobi Expressway, and parts of the CBD—often gridlock from early evening until well after midnight.

Security roadblocks and increased police patrols add to the delays. As a result, timing becomes critical. Late arrivals frequently miss entry windows or countdown moments, while early departures help avoid hours spent in post-midnight traffic jams.

Inside venues, crowd control is strictly enforced. Once capacity limits are reached, doors are closed, regardless of ticket demand outside. This has made early arrival a strategic advantage rather than a preference.

Members of the public usher in the New Year 2017 during the Pamoja Concert at Eldoret Sports Club on January 1, 2017. /NAIROBI NEWS

Payments and spending expectations

Cashless payments dominate Nairobi’s New Year’s Eve economy. Mobile money platforms, particularly M-PESA, remain the most widely accepted payment method, followed by debit and credit cards. Some venues discourage cash transactions altogether to reduce handling risks and speed up service.

Patrons are advised to budget carefully. Prices for drinks, food, and services are often higher than usual in this period, reflecting demand and extended operating hours. Ride-hailing fares also spike significantly, sometimes doubling or tripling standard rates.

Driving and parking realities

For those choosing to drive, parking remains a major challenge. Designated parking spots near popular venues fill up early, while street parking poses security risks and enforcement concerns. Illegally parked vehicles are vulnerable to towing or damage, especially in high-traffic areas.

Alcohol consumption and driving remain a serious legal and safety issue. Police conduct sobriety checks during the festive period, and penalties for drunk driving are severe.

After-parties and late-night movement

As official countdown events wind down, after-parties become common, particularly in quieter neighborhoods such as Karen and Ngong.

However, late-night movement increases exposure to fatigue, impaired judgment, and transport challenges. Informing someone of post-midnight plans is widely considered a basic safety step.

Health and public order considerations

While large-scale public health restrictions have eased in recent years, some venues still maintain hygiene protocols, including sanitization points.

Revelers are also expected to comply with public order rules, including respecting security personnel and avoiding confrontations in crowded spaces.

Overall, New Year’s Eve in Nairobi delivers unmatched energy, but it demands preparation. Tickets, identification, transport planning, and safety awareness are no longer optional extras; they are prerequisites.

Those who plan enjoy the biggest celebration of the year. Those who do not often spend the night stuck outside venues, in traffic, or dealing with avoidable problems.

In a statement released on Friday, December 26, KWS announced that the offer will run until Wednesday, December 31, as part of its Boxing Day group discounts.

The promotion allows families of five visiting sanctuaries and marine parks to receive free entry for one child aged between 6 and 17 years.

KWS further said that in a five-seater vehicle carrying five passengers, one child will be admitted free of charge.

Groups travelling in a fully occupied 25-seater bus will benefit from free entry for two adults. Meanwhile, those using a seven-seater van or an eight-seater Land Cruiser will receive complimentary entry for one adult.

In addition, visitors booking park accommodation for three nights will be entitled to a fourth night at no extra cost.

“As we unwrap the season’s wildest gift, gather your family and friends and enjoy special group offers across Kenya’s parks, sanctuaries, and marine parks,” KWS said.

The wildlife agency, however, noted that the offers are exclusively available to Kenyan citizens and are subject to terms and conditions.

This announcement comes a week after KWS launched bus shuttle services at Nairobi National Park, Aberdare National Park, and Lake Nakuru National Park for the festive season. According to a notice from the service, operations began on Tuesday, November 16.

Primarily running on weekends and public holidays, the shuttles give visitors the chance to enjoy game drives without needing their own vehicles.

"Starting this weekend, 20th December, we’re bringing back the bus shuttle service on weekends and public holidays only through the festive season as part of the Jiachilie in Kenya Parks holiday campaign," KWS announced.

"Discover our parks with ease at Nairobi National Park, Aberdare National Park, and Lake Nakuru National Park. Affordable, convenient, and perfect for family adventures this holiday season," the service added.

The festive shuttle packages are also part of KWS’s broader push to boost tourism, coming shortly after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki revealed plans to expand in-park facilities to meet growing demand.

Upgrades include increasing bed capacity from 1,800 to 4,000, a move expected to generate jobs and support local communities living near the parks.

In a ruling delivered on Thursday, December 18, Justice Lucy Gacharu stated that the court would proceed with the matter until it is conclusively determined.

Justice Gacharu held that the concerns raised by the petitioner — including claims that the development blocks a wildebeest migratory corridor in the Maasai Mara National Reserve — are substantive and cannot be abandoned without thorough scrutiny and a formal court decision.

Photo of the Ritz-Carlton Safari Camp in Maasai Mara. /BOOKING.COM

The court further observed that other issues cited in the petition, such as environmental protection and sustainable development, fall squarely within the realm of public interest rather than private dispute.

“Given the nature of the concerns raised and the level of public interest generated, this Court will not allow the notice of withdrawal,” the judge ruled.

Dapash’s advocate had confirmed on Wednesday, December 17, that an application had been made to withdraw the case. No reasons were provided, although some reports suggested the environmentalist’s concerns may have been addressed.

“The petitioner herein wishes to withdraw the entire suit instituted by way of petition dated 8th August 2025 with orders as to cost,” Dapash’s lawyer told the court.

In the petition, the environmentalist accused the lodge of interfering with the migration corridor linking the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Tanzania’s Serengeti National Reserve.

The corridor plays a critical role in allowing wildlife to move between the two reserves in search of pasture during the annual wildebeest migration.

Dapash also questioned whether the camp was legally established and compliant with environmental regulations, further alleging that the project infringed on the rights of indigenous communities.

The suit also lists the Narok County Government, the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA), and three other parties as respondents.

The hotel faced intense public backlash last month after videos emerged online showing distressed wildebeest near the facility.

However, in a statement issued on Thursday, November 27, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) dismissed the footage as misleading, saying it was intended to damage the reputation of certain camps within the reserve.

KWS maintained that the hotel is located within a designated low-use tourism investment zone, as provided for under the Maasai Mara National Reserve management framework.

Surging to between 28 and 38 percent among urban adolescents, this is attributed to factors such as pollution, high-glycemic diets, and intense equatorial UV exposure that exacerbate breakouts and post-inflammatory scarring. 

Dr. Roop Saini, an internationally recognized board-certified Consultant Dermatologist and Kenya Association of Dermatologists (KAD) Committee member notes that there is a presently growing need for dermatology-led skincare solutions in East Africa. 

“East Africa's equatorial challenges demand barrier-focused active ingredients like thermal water and azelaic acid, proving more effective than standard products in humid weather. These ingredients restore the skin's microbiome and inhibit melanin production without irritation, offering sustainable relief from acne flares, eczema itch, and stubborn acne hyperpigmentation marks,” she said.

Dr. Roop Saini, an internationally recognized board-certified Consultant Dermatologist and Kenya Association of Dermatologists (KAD) Committee member, speaks on the various skincare challenges facing consumers in Kenya, including acne and eczema that are prevalent among the youth population and children respectively. /PHOTO

Globally, acne impacts 9.4% of the world's population, peaking at about 85 percent in young adults aged 12 to 25 years, this according to the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) study. However, Kenya's tropical climate and urban stressors amplify local rates, driving 10 to 30% of national outpatient skin consultations, as captured in the National Institutes of Health 2025 report. 

According to a 2024 study conducted at Kiambu Level 5 Hospital's dermatology clinic involving 1,183 patients, eczema was the most common skin condition diagnosed, with a prevalence of 25.5 percent. The majority of the patients favored the use of non-conventional products such as bar soap and milking jelly as routine skincare products.

The study also showed that hyperpigmentation affects up to 30 to 40 percent of clinical acne cases on account of post-inflammatory marks, intense ultraviolet light, and scarring effects.

The Kenya skin care market consists mainly of face creams, moisturizers, sunscreens, facial masks/packs/washes, body lotions & oils, lip balms & scrubs; anti-aging creams & serums; makeup removers; toners and cleansers, among others.

For about seven years, 28-year-old Joyline Wairimu from Gatanga in Murang’a County has battled severe acne that scarred her skin and fueled deep insecurities, leading to extreme discomfort, especially in social settings. Despite regularly trying on-the-shelf products ranging from supermarket moisturizers to bleaching creams, her breakouts worsened under Kenya's humid equatorial sun, leaving post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

“I’m often asked why my face has so many dark spots. It’s a question that can be unsettling and has, at times, shaken my confidence. For a long time, I struggled to manage it, until I finally found products in the market that helped ease the problem,” says Joyline. Her experience mirrors that of countless Kenyan youth, for whom acne remains a leading skin concern, accounting for an estimated 11 to 38 per cent of dermatology clinic visits nationwide.

These three conditions not only burden youth psychologically, but their prevalence has seen a rise in demand for dermo-cosmetics (specialized cosmetic formulations designed for specific skin conditions), with Kenya now seen as a key market for clinical skincare solutions. 

“As Kenya leads East Africa’s skincare revolution, we are seeing evidence-based treatments transform lives and empower a confident generation, making the future bright for skin and economy alike,” echoed Dr. Karimi Murage, Marketing Manager for Consumer Health at Groupe Ethica.

Groupe Ethica is the exclusive African partner of Pierre Fabre, one of the world’s leading dermo-cosmetic and pharmaceutical groups, which announced entry into the East African Market in November with their brands Avène and Ducray.

Poised to reach an estimated value of USD 125 million by 2026, the skin care market in Kenya is further projected to grow at a high growth rate of 11 percent by 2027. This growth can be attributed to increasing disposable income levels, rising consumer awareness, improved specialist access, and the availability of a wider range of products at affordable prices, alongside favorable government policies. 

With its strategic location, a burgeoning middle class, and a growing dermatological healthcare sector, the prognosis for the Kenyan skincare market remains highly positive. 

The country’s dermo-cosmetics sector is expected to continue its double-digit growth, driven by greater access to dermatological care, increased consumer education, and the emergence of other local and international players. 

In a statement issued on Tuesday, November 16, KWS said the service will kick off on Saturday, December 20, aimed at making park visits easier and more accessible.

The buses will operate at Nairobi National Park, Aberdare National Park, and Lake Nakuru National Park.

At Nairobi National Park, the shuttles will make two trips daily between 9 am and 2 pm, with pick-up points at Nagol Ivory Park and the park’s main gate. 

Photo of a KWS bus. /KENYA WILDLIFE SERVICE

Kenyan citizens and East African Community (EAC) nationals will pay Ksh 1,500 for adults and Ksh 750 for children. Non-Kenyan resident adults will be charged Ksh 2,000, while children will pay Ksh 1,000.

For Aberdare National Park, adult citizens and EAC nationals will be charged Ksh 1,000 and Ksh 750 for children, while residents will pay Ksh 1,500 for adults and Ksh 1,000 for children. The park will have one daily trip departing at 9 am from Nyeri Post Office.

At Lake Nakuru National Park, buses operate twice daily at 9:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. Fares are set at Ksh 1,750 for adult citizens/EAC nationals and Ksh 850 for children, while resident adults will pay Ksh 2,000 and Ksh 1,000 for children. Pick-up will be at Railways near the police station.

KWS noted that the shuttle services, which operate mainly on weekends and public holidays, are designed to allow visitors to enjoy game drives without using private vehicles.

“Starting this weekend, 20th December, we’re bringing back the bus shuttle service on weekends and public holidays only through the festive season as part of the Jiachilie in Kenya Parks holiday campaign,” KWS stated.

“Explore our parks with ease at: Nairobi National Park, Aberdare National Park, Lake Nakuru National Park. Affordable, convenient, and perfect for family adventures this holiday season,” it added.

The announcement comes a day after the government stated that it would intensify surveillance along major transportation corridors to enhance safety during the festive season.

“We are delighted to welcome guests to Ciel Dubai Marina, Vignette Collection, a visionary landmark that redefines innovation, luxury, and creativity at every level,” said Heinrich Morio, Managing Director of Ciel Dubai Marina. “This extraordinary hotel reflects Dubai’s status as a global destination for tourism and business, offering an experience that is as elevated as it is unforgettable. Our team of dedicated professionals are ready to welcome guests with genuine warmth and care, creating an atmosphere of heartfelt hospitality from the moment they arrive.”

Boasting 1004 rooms and suites, rising 82 floors and reaching 377 metres, Ciel Dubai Marina is an architectural and experiential landmark, where guests are invited to discover new dimensions through a multi-sensory and immersive stay. A dramatic exhibition of contrasts - east meets west, city meets sea, large-scale meets intimate, Ciel Dubai Marina is designed to leave guests with more than souvenirs, every visit tells a story. From the sky-high infinity pool to a vibrant array of dining destinations, each detail is carefully crafted to balance drama, depth, and substance. The interiors move with natural rhythm, where soft lines and serene tones evoke calm, warm hues and dynamic lighting bring energy, and organic textures provide grounding. The result is a space that feels both luxurious and deeply connected to nature, offering an immersive experience that lingers long after departure.

To celebrate its grand opening, the hotel invites guests to experience an exclusive limited time Opening Offer that includes breakfast for two, early check-in from 11:00 AM, and late check-out until 2:00 PM. Guests will also enjoy a complimentary room upgrade to the next category and receive a 25% discount on food and beverages at Risen, East14, West 13, and Nuage. The Opening Offer starts from AED 1050 and can be booked here. IHG One Rewards members can also earn double points when booking the Advance Purchase rate. This exclusive member-only offer applies to both business and leisure stays.

The hotel is home to eight destination dining venues, each designed to deliver exceptional culinary journeys. West 13 offers a vibrant Mediterranean experience, showcasing handmade pasta, gyros, tacos, mezze, and artisanal bakery creations. East 14 takes guests on an Asian buffet adventure, featuring live ramen, pho, sushi, dim sum, curries, and fresh Asian specialties. Risen Café and Artisanal Bakery serves breakfast, lunch, and an all-day menu filled with classic and specialty confectioneries, delicious café-style dishes, freshly baked pastries and award-winning barista coffee.

Adding a dramatic layer to the dining experience is Tattu, the award-winning, UK-born modern Asian concept, set to unveil a bold, multi-level destination. Tattu Dubai comprises Tattu Restaurant & Bar, Tattu Sky Pool and Tattu Sky Lounge. Each space tells its own story through dramatic interiors, boundary-pushing cuisine and sensorial moments that blur the line between fantasy and reality. The Tattu Dubai story begins on level 74, where the restaurant welcomes guests into a dramatic world of ancient mythology, modern mastery and contemporary Chinese and Japanese cuisine.

On level 76, the Tattu Sky Pool rises to 310m and is a must-visit destination, offering plush daybeds, Japanese-fusion bites and an energy that evolves from daytime relaxation to sunset DJ sets. The crescendo of the Tattu Dubai experience is on level 81, where the Sky Lounge & Terrace combines sophistication, music, cocktails and breathtaking 360° views to create an unforgettable rooftop experience.

Guests can rejuvenate at the spa on Level 61, opening in February 2026, where advanced beauty rituals meet time-honored traditions to create transformative experiences. The 24-hour state-of-the-art gym offers inspiring skyline views for an energizing workout. Guests can also enjoy seamless access to Soluna Beach Club on Palm Jumeirah, where they can unwind by the private pool or relax along the pristine shoreline. Families are warmly welcomed, with dedicated spaces and activities for children, including a Splash Pad, Kids Club, child-friendly menus, and thoughtful amenities at check-in. For business travelers and Executive Club guests, Nest located on Level 16 offers refreshments, skyline views, and stylish meeting spaces equipped with cutting-edge technology and personalized service.

Managed by The First Group Hospitality, the property offers immediate access to Dubai Marina with world-class dining, shopping, stunning beaches, and renowned attractions. Just minutes from Palm Jumeirah and Uptown Dubai, it serves as the perfect starting point to experience the city’s vibrant spirit and sophistication. Nearby, the bustling JBR beachfront and the dynamic Bluewaters lifestyle destination, home to iconic landmarks such as The Walk and Ain Dubai, the world’s tallest observation wheel, provide even more opportunities for discovery. The hotel also features direct access to the Marina boardwalk with its water taxis, as well as convenient connections to Dubai Marina Mall and the city’s tram and metro services.

The landmark property is the most ambitious project to date of The First Group, Dubai’s leading developer, and is part of IHG’s Vignette Collection, a family of one-of-a-kind, exclusive hotels curated for guests seeking rich and varied stay experiences. The brand allows owners of world-class independent hotels to retain their distinctive identity while benefiting from IHG’s global scale and luxury and lifestyle expertise.

Vignette Collection, IHG’s first collection brand, represents a family of one-of-a-kind hotels in destinations to remember. It combines each property’s individual identity with the brand’s collective vision to offer a more authentic travel experience through the key hallmarks of ‘Memorable Rituals’ and ‘A Means For Good’.

Memorable Rituals – bespoke to each Vignette Collection property, connects guests with the hotel’s unique identity, locality and cultural landscape. Ciel Dubai Marina’s Morning Hydration Ritual blends vitality and elevated hospitality. Each morning guests can enjoy OneShot-blended waters at the pool and gym, a simple yet uplifting gesture reflecting the hotel’s commitment to wellness and vibrant living in Dubai Marina.

A Means for Good – sees each Vignette Collection hotel with a chosen non-profit organisation partnership. Ciel Dubai Marina reinforces its dedication to nurturing future talent through a strategic partnership with the International Centre for Culinary Arts (ICCA). This collaboration focuses on training and developing the next generation of culinary professionals. From hosting monthly training workshops led by the hotel’s expert team to providing essential career opportunities for aspiring chefs, the initiative serves as a vital stepping stone, enabling students to achieve their full potential and drive innovation in the hospitality industry.

Speaking on Tuesday, December 5, at the launch of the Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary in Ngulia, Taita Taveta County, Ruto defended the call for higher park charges, arguing that the measures will channel more income to both local communities and the state.

In a move that is likely to trigger pushback from conservation groups, the President also signed off on the development of premium hotels to host tourists within the park.

President Ruto announces construction of high-end hotels in Tsavo West Rhino Sanctuary, says tourists to pay between $500 & $1,000 a night#ViralVideos pic.twitter.com/obSrDxYRy0

— Viral Tea Ke (@ViralTeaKe) December 9, 2025

To support this shift toward high-end tourism, Ruto instructed that tourists be billed between Ksh64,625 (USD500) and Ksh129,250 (USD1,000) per day.

He further disclosed that, after consultations with the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) and other stakeholders, the government had agreed that no lodge inside the park would be permitted to charge below Ksh3,000 for accommodation.

"All tourists will now pay top dollar, which will be at an additional rate from the current rates. I have been briefed by the KWS that there will be 5 new hotels that will be built within this park," he announced.

"Those will be high-end hotels that would mandate visitors to pay between USD 500 to USD 1000 per day. That is what will be paid and is also currently being paid in the Maasai Mara.''

Adding "We have agreed in my directives to the KWS that there will be no hotels here to pay Ksh2,000 or Ksh3,000. We want to top our revenue so that it can reach the local community."

KWS and the Tourism Ministry are expected to roll out the directives, ensuring the new facilities conform to global standards.

Ruto also instructed the two agencies to craft a comprehensive carbon-trading blueprint for Tsavo East and West, aimed at unlocking new revenue streams for surrounding communities.

The plan will also cover the state-owned Galana Kulalu irrigation scheme as part of a unified carbon-credit zone.

"I also direct that the necessary team develop a carbon credits trading plan covering Tsavo East and West, Galana Kulalu to be made into a single zone so that we can have a harmonised zone to get carbon credits so that the locals can benefit," he said.

The policy shift is expected to reposition Tsavo alongside other high-end destinations such as the Maasai Mara, with KWS overseeing both construction and compliance with conservation standards.

The government intends to reinvest earnings from park fees and carbon trading into wildlife protection and infrastructure upgrades across the Tsavo ecosystem, including wildlife corridors and drought-resilience dams.

A photo of tourists admiring elephants at Tsavo National Park. /KENYA SAFARI HOLIDAYS

The entry of the two dermatology powerhouses marks a major milestone in East Africa’s fast-growing skincare sector and is endorsed by the Kenya Association of Dermatologists (KAD), who attended a healthcare professional launch event held on November 27, 2025.

The partnership brings Pierre Fabre’s global dermatological expertise into the Kenyan market through Groupe Ethica, strengthening the continent’s access to clinically validated, dermatologist-backed skincare solutions.

The global dermo-cosmetics skin care products market was valued at approximately USD 52.12 billion in 2021, and is projected to expand to around USD 92.83 billion by 2030, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 7.5 % from 2022 to 2030.

The Kenyan skin-care sector has been growing at double-digit levels as demand for science-led, dermatology-informed skincare rises, supported by improved specialist access and a rapidly health-aware youth demographic.

Dr. Karimi Murage, Marketing Manager for Consumer Health at Groupe Ethica, making her presentation during the launch of Eau Thermale Avène and Ducray dermo-cosmetics in Kenya. 

“Kenya is one of the most dynamic dermatology markets on the continent, making Pierre Fabre’s partnership with Groupe Ethica a significant step forward for dermo-cosmetics in Africa. The endorsement from the Kenya Association of Dermatologists also affirms the relevance of Avène and Ducray for Kenyan consumers seeking high-quality, evidence-based skincare,” said Rosemary Ayieko, the Head of East Africa, Groupe Ethica.

Kenya has emerged as East Africa’s anchor market for medical-grade skincare, with pharmacies, dermatology clinics and hospitals playing a central role in category adoption. Together, Avène and Ducray bring more than three centuries of dermatological science, medical collaboration, and pharmacy-led innovation to Kenyan consumers. 

Avène, the world’s No.1 dermo-cosmetic brand for sensitive skin in European pharmacies, enters East Africa with its 275-year heritage rooted in its legendary Thermal Spring Water and over 150 clinical studies.

“Kenya is one of Africa’s most exciting and fast-evolving skincare markets for us. We are committed to offering clinically proven solutions that soothe, repair, and protect sensitive and reactive skin especially in warm, humid equatorial conditions,” said Marcello Alagna, Marketing & Exports Director for Africa, Middle East and Turkey (AFMET) at Pierre Fabre Group.

The Kenyan market will receive hero ranges extensively validated for local climatic needs and common skin-health concerns, including four Avène brands, Cleanance, Hydrance, Cicalfate+, and the award winning TriAsorB™ SPF 50+. 

Ducray, founded in 1930, is globally recognised for its medical-grade solutions for acne, eczema, hyperpigmentation, hair loss, and scalp disorders. The Ducray range includes Keracnyl, Dexyane, Icytane, Anaphase+, and Melascreen.

“For nearly a century, Ducray has advanced dermatological science to help people live comfortably and confidently. Our expansion into Kenya responds to growing demand for targeted, dermatologist-endorsed skincare and we look forward to ground breaking collaboration with healthcare professionals across the region,” added Alagna.

Immediately available from leading pharmacies and selected hospitals across Kenya, the launch ensures wide and safe access to dermatologist-approved skincare products for patients and consumers throughout the country.

Both brands reaffirmed their long-term commitment to Kenya’s skin-health ecosystem including partnerships with beauty practitioners, dermatologists, pharmacists, hospitals, medical institutions, and professional associations, to strengthen skin-health literacy and ensure safe, effective skincare pathways for all consumers.

The three-day gathering brought together policymakers, entrepreneurs, and innovators from over 20 African countries to address the opportunities and challenges facing the continent's filmmakers, musicians, fashion designers, and tourism professionals - with Kenya featuring prominently in discussions about digital transformation and cross-border collaboration.

For young Kenyans navigating an increasingly competitive global market, the forum's sessions on artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and streaming platforms offered a roadmap for scaling their work beyond local boundaries.

Kevin Okeyo, founder & CEO of Mediakits, highlighted the digital platform’s approach to addressing financial barriers that have long constrained cross-border trade across Africa.

AfCFTA Director for Trade In Services Ms. Emily Mburu-Ndoria (2nd right) takes part in a panel discussion during the Creatives Connect Afrika forum held in Accra, Ghana, which ran from November 24-26, 2025. /PHOTO

“Our platform offers a digital credit scoring system, automated income pooling, AI-driven financial management tools, and interoperable cross-border payment systems - all designed to ease business operations under the AfCFTA framework,” he said. 

The forum's digital transformation sessions highlighted how Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing content creation, video editing, marketing, and predictive analytics, while Virtual Reality (VR) technologies are opening new possibilities for immersive storytelling, virtual exhibitions, and innovative tourism experiences.

For the continent’s growing tech-savvy creative community, these tools represent practical pathways to compete on continental and global stages.

And as Khadijat El-Alawa, Head of Music and Talent for AfroFuture, pointed out, African songs often gain global recognition before reaching neighbouring countries due to weak intra-African connectivity and fragmented licensing systems.

The forum emphasized the need to strengthen local platforms that can retain revenue within the continent, rather than allowing value to flow exclusively to international services. Notably, over 85% of Africa’s 1.4 billion population discovers music through YouTube, and over 70% through TikTok, underscoring the dominance of visual content.

"We can't leave money on the table," El-Alawa stressed, calling for Africa to build its own systems - from metadata integrity to streaming regulation - to keep value on the continent. “If we connect our markets, strengthen our platforms, and build what speaks to us, we can protect our culture, scale our artists, and secure the future of African music,” she stated.

The forum placed significant emphasis on the AfCFTA's Trade in Services protocol, which offers artists unprecedented access to a continental market of 1.3 billion people.

In his keynote address, AfCFTA Secretary-General H.E. Wamkele Mene outlined the protocol’s specific benefits, including frameworks for protecting intellectual property rights, accelerating digital trade, facilitating cross-border mobility for artists, and removing barriers to market access.

“The creative sector is a priority frontier for intra-African trade,” he noted, adding that “a unified African market is essential for scaling creatives.”

These policies are particularly relevant for Kenya, whose relatively small domestic market has historically limited the commercial viability of large-scale creative projects.

Under AfCFTA, filmmakers, musicians, and fashion designers can now structure their work for regional distribution from the outset, dramatically expanding their potential audience and revenue streams.

Several speakers at the forum highlighted how countries with smaller populations - including Botswana and Ghana - are already leveraging AfCFTA protocols to expand markets for their creators, offering a model for other countries to adapt.

Additionally, experts noted the critical linkage between creative industries and tourism as interconnected economic drivers. Participants emphasized the need to deploy film, music, and fashion to strengthen Africa's soft power globally, in the process attracting investment and expanding export opportunities. However, significant barriers remain.

Olayiwola Awakan, Director General of Nigeria's Tourism Development Authority, cautioned that "until we talk about and break the barriers of visa restrictions, we cannot do tourism at its best in Africa".

This mobility challenge directly affects countries’ ability to host continental festivals, film productions, and creative collaborations - areas where Kenya has natural competitive advantages but remains constrained by regional travel difficulties.

For Kenya's young creatives, embracing digital tools, understanding intellectual property rights, and positioning their products for continental markets emerged as clear areas for immediate action.

“This is the core of our work as the AfCFTA Secretariat, and under the protocols for trade in services, intellectual property, and digital trade, we have brought together the cultural, creative, and tourism sectors to ensure that they are protected and able to thrive,” said Emily Mburu-Ndoria, Director of Trade in Services at the AfCFTA Secretariat.

Creatives Connect Afrika conveners (seated L-R) Rex Omar - Blackstar Experience, Emily Mburu-Ndoria - Director, AfCFTA Secretariat, and Kwakye Donkor - CEO, Africa Tourism Partners with delegates during the inaugural forum held in Accra, Ghana, which ran from November 24-26, 2025. /PHOTO

The wildebeest migration, celebrated globally, was recently recognized by the World Book of Records (UK) as the world’s greatest annual terrestrial wildlife migration and by the World Tourism Market (London) as Africa’s top tourism experience. KWS emphasized that Kenya continues to lead in sustainable wildlife conservation.

Addressing public concerns, KWS clarified that the Ritz-Carlton Safari Camp is located in a designated low-impact tourism zone, as outlined in the Maasai Mara National Reserve Management Plan (2023–2032). These zones were determined through decades of scientific research, ecological assessments, and spatial planning.

Photo of the Ritz-Carlton Safari Camp in Maasai Mara. /BOOKING.COM

"The integrity of the wildebeest migration corridors has been scientifically verified. The movements of migrating wildebeest in Maasai Mara have been mapped using more than two decades of GPS collar data collected from migratory wildebeest between 1999 and 2022," KWS revealed.

"The dataset indudes GPS tracks from over 60 collared migratory wildebeest. Each GPS fix typically represents herds ranging from 2,000 to 100,000 animals. The long-term wildebeest collar data indicate that the entire Maasai Mara National Reserve is a general dispersal area for the wildebeest."

KWS added that long-term wildebeest collar data clearly points to the fact that migrating wildebeest are utilizing the entire breath of the Kenya-Tanzania border within the Reserve (approximately 68 kilometres wide), without a specific preferred route or corridor.

The wildlife service further revealed that Masai Mara National Reserve is served by the Mara River, Sand River and Talek River, along which lodges and campsites are established and wildlife including wildebeest and zebra have historically moved across these rivers without any serious incidences.

"Along the Sand River alone, there are five (5) permanent safari camps and over two (2) seasonal camps and none has received such negative publicity like Ritz Carlton Safari Camp is receiving now.

"Therefore, the long-term monitoring data conclusively indicates that the location of the Ritz-Carlton Safari Camp and the other five safari camps along the Sand River camps do not fall within, obstruct, or interfere with any wildebeest migration corridors," KWS found.

KWS reaffirmed its commitment to preserving the wildebeest migration for future generations while balancing responsible tourism and community development.

A video that went viral in late November appeared to show wildebeest hesitating and turning back during their migration, with some critics claiming the safari camp was obstructing their path.

In the footage, dozens of wildebeest could be seen pausing near what looked like a man-made barrier, while some retreated. People were also visible on the property, seemingly within a former open wildlife corridor, appearing to chase the animals away.

The video reignited criticism from conservationists and local leaders, who argue that the development disrupts a crucial migration route between the Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti.

In August 2025, Meitamei Olol Dapash, director of the Maasai Education, Research and Conservation Institute, filed a lawsuit challenging the development.

The case accused the lodge developer and Kenyan authorities of failing to carry out a proper Environmental Impact Assessment and alleged that the project violates the Maasai Mara National Reserve Management Plan, which calls for a pause on new tourism accommodation developments until 2032.

According to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the revised charges were approved following the publication of the Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access, Entry and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations 2025, under Legal Notice No. 160 of 2025.

The regulations, endorsed by Parliament on September 25, are designed to boost conservation funding, enhance visitor experiences, and ensure Kenya’s parks remain competitive on the global stage.

"The Wildlife Conservation and Management (Access, Entry and Conservation) (Fees) Regulations 2025 (Legal Notice No. 160 of 2025), governing entry and access to Kenya's National Parks, Reserves, and Sanctuaries, will officially come into effect on Wednesday, 1st October 2025," a statement from KWS said. 

KWS stated that Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano fully supported the new tariffs, emphasizing her ministry’s commitment to ensuring their rollout is smooth and transparent.

KWS Director General Erustus Kanga further assured visitors that any payments already made via the eCitizen platform before the fee revision would remain valid.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has announced that there will be no free entry to Lake Nakuru on Saturday, September 27, despite its inclusion in the highly publicized free access initiative.

"Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) wishes to provide an update on the free entry to National Park, Reserves and Sanctuaries earlier communicated through the Public Notice dated 23rd September 2025," KWS stated in part.

"The public is hereby notified that there shall be no free entry to Lake Nakuru National Park, tomorrow Saturday, 27th September 2025."

Entrance to Lake Nakuru National Park. /FACEBOOK.MUHAMMED YOUSUF

KWS added that only visitors with prepaid eCitizen tickets will be allowed in, and they can only use the Nderit Gate between 6:00 am and 6:00 pm. The main Flamingo Gate and Lanet Gate will remain closed for the day.

KWS, however, did not reveal the reasons behind the scrapping of the national park from the list of the parks included in the free entry offer, which still stands for all other KWS-managed national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries across the country — including crowd favorites like Amboseli, Hell’s Gate, and Chyulu Hills.

"The public is further advised that all other KWS-managed National Parks, Reserves, and Sanctuaries across the country shall remain open and accessible tomorrow, Saturday, 27th September 2025, under the free entry initiative for Kenyan citizens," added the statement.

KWS has urged visitors to strictly observe park rules and regulations during their visits.

It is believed that KWS's decision to exclude Lake Nakuru from the free-entry program was informed by logistical challenges, but likely an attempt to avoid reigniting protests linked to unresolved grievances, particularly the case of Brian Odhiambo.

Before the announcement, Odhiambo's family appealed to Kenyans to join in the search for their kin, taking advantage of the free entry initiative. "When you come to Nakuru on the 27th, come in large numbers to help us look for our son," Odhiambo's mother urged in a video released on social media platforms.

Odhiambo, a 31-year-old fisherman, disappeared on January 18, 2025, after being arrested by KWS rangers for illegal fishing inside Lake Nakuru National Park.

Witnesses alleged he was beaten unconscious during the arrest in the Vietnam area and later seen loaded into a KWS vehicle. His body surfaced in the lake a month later, sparking suspicions of a cover-up.

Court testimony from fellow fishermen indicated Odhiambo was unresponsive in the rangers’ vehicle and was never booked at Bondeni Police Station, unlike others arrested that day.

Although officers claimed he escaped, six rangers — Francis Wachira, Alexander Lorogoi, Isaac Ochieng, Michael Wabukala, Evans Kimaiyo, and Abdulrahman Suli — were later interdicted and charged with abduction. They deny killing him.

The case has become a flashpoint over alleged KWS brutality against local fishermen, who accuse rangers of using excessive force to enforce the fishing ban.

Odhiambo’s death triggered violent protests in January 2025, with locals torching parts of the park fence and demanding justice.

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano explained that the gesture is part of the annual United Nations World Tourism Day celebrations.

She further noted that the initiative ties into this year’s theme, “Tourism and Sustainable Transformation,” which underscores tourism’s role in fostering social and economic progress.

"To honour this significant occasion, I am thrilled to announce that the Government of Kenya is offering free entry to all Kenyan citizens to visit Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)-managed national parks, reserves, and sanctuaries," Miano said.

CS Rebecca Miano speaking during a visit to the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) headquarters on September 30, 2024. /REBECCA MIANO

The move offers Kenyans a unique opportunity to experience the country’s stunning wildlife and strengthen their commitment to conservation.

The CS highlighted that granting free access to parks was intended to encourage greater appreciation of Kenya’s diverse ecosystems and nurture a sense of collective duty to safeguard them for future generations.

The list, unveiled on Thursday, September 11, featured attractions from only 15 countries worldwide, with Kenya among just two African nations represented.

The prestigious Edge List highlights hotels, resorts, and cruises that push the limits of travel experiences, evaluated on four core principles. Selections were made through on-site reviews by Forbes Travel Guide’s undercover inspectors or editorial team, alongside extensive research and inspection data.

Solio Lodge was recognised in the ‘Animal Encounters’ category for its rare access to Africa’s endangered rhino population. The lodge sits on the 45,000-acre Solio Game Reserve, nestled between Mount Kenya’s foothills and the Aberdare National Park.

Photo of Solio Lodge. /THE SAFARI COLLECTION

“Few encounters are as majestic as the ones you’ll have with East Africa’s endangered rhinoceros,” Forbes noted.

“Solio provides access to more than 200 black and white rhinos. Set out on game drives in the morning, afternoon, or evening with meals in the bush, or see the wildlife from horseback, mountain bike, or the hotel’s private helicopter,” it added.

Meanwhile, Giraffe Manor in Nairobi was highlighted for its unique wildlife experiences, especially its close interactions with Rothschild’s giraffes.

Originally built as a hunting lodge in the 1930s, the manor has since become world-famous for offering guests the chance to share breakfast with the giraffes and feed them, all while enjoying luxury accommodations and a serene environment.

“While staying at this 1930s former hunting lodge in Kenya, there’s no need to head out on safari; one of the continent’s best animal encounters is found at this boutique hotel and giraffe breeding sanctuary,” noted Forbes. 

“The resident Rothschild’s giraffes treat bedroom windows like drive-through service, poking their heads in search of the treats guests always have stocked for them. Or have breakfast with the animals; you will enjoy pancakes while they get the pellets you feed them,” Forbes added.

Karura is no ordinary forest. It is a sanctuary reclaimed through blood, sweat, and courage. In the 1990s, ordinary Kenyans, led by the late Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai, stood against batons and bulldozers to save the woodland from the jaws of developers. Their victory birthed a vision: a forest run by the people, for the people, in harmony with nature.

For over 15 years, that vision has flourished. FKFCFA has conserved and managed Karura jointly with KFS, turning it into Nairobi’s most cherished green escape - serving Huruma, Githogoro, Runda, Muthaiga, and beyond. Clean air, safe trails, livelihoods, and national pride grew under community stewardship.

Now, critics warn, all that is at risk.

Without meaningful public participation, Principal Secretary for Forestry Gitonga Mugambi recently endorsed 11 recommendations that effectively end FKFCFA’s role in Karura’s daily management.

“We are growing increasingly concerned about what will happen to Karura going forward as there is no clear path for how it is being managed,” said Professor Karanja Njoroge, a long-time supporter of the community-led model.

“We need to urgently get Friends of Karura in again to jointly manage the forest’s day-to-day operations and work with the local communities,” he added.

Concerns are not only about governance. The construction of tarmac roads inside the forest has sparked heated debate across social media. Conservationists argue that the forest, designed as a nature trail and urban sanctuary, risks being carved into a traffic zone - undermining the very experience that makes Karura special.

Local leaders are pushing back against the militarisation of conservation.

“Guns never protected Karura forest reserve, and they won’t. It’s the people who always have, and always will,” said Fiu Nifiu, MCA for Karura Ward.

"Also, disrupting the community-led Karura forest conservation and management model only risks reversing the gains. Instead, the state department of Forestry should be asking: How can we strengthen the FKF collaboration? How can Karura’s success be replicated in other threatened forests across Kenya?"Fiu Nifiu.

Karura’s fate raises larger questions about how Kenya protects its green spaces. Community forest associations, born out of the Forests Act, have been celebrated as a model for grassroots stewardship. Karura, especially, has been proof that when government and communities work together, conservation wins.

To dismantle that partnership, critics warn, is to risk unravelling decades of progress.

Karura is not just trees and trails. It is memory. It is resistance. It is a promise kept to future generations.

And now, as Kenyans lace up for their Saturday walks, they do so with unease — uncertain if the forest they reclaimed will remain the forest they know.

After a long day at the shop, I wrapped up earlier than usual. My friends and I had been planning a low-key getaway to Naivasha, nothing fancy, just some grilled fish, cassava marinated with pilipili, a good view, and each other. These trips don’t happen often, which is why they always feel like a big deal when they do. They remind us of the magic hiding in plain sight, the kind Kenya is quietly famous for.

The road itself was already part of the fun. If you’ve ever driven along the Nairobi–Nakuru Highway, you know what I mean. The roadside vendors with those soft, rich wool carpets? They don’t just look like comfort, they are comfort. You can feel the story in every thread. I even bought one of those traditional wool hats; it’s the perfect blend of heritage and quiet class.

And by the time we got to Naivasha? We were all in. Tents up, grill sizzling, and lake shimmering. The air was cold but kind, the perfect setting. Nyaboke, my favourite person from Kisii, was glowing; it was her first time seeing the lake, and the joy on her face was contagious. The stories flowed, the laughter rolled, and the cold wasn’t even a factor anymore.

A photo of cocktails. /COURTESY

But I had a little twist planned for the evening. Back at a supermarket stop, I had quietly picked up a bottle of Kenya Cane Smooth. I had recently picked up a few cocktail tricks and figured, why not surprise the crew? So, I casually mentioned it, then came the not-so-funny jokes. “Wewe unatuchochanga tu. Do you even know how to make cocktails?”

I did. Well, sort of. I have been experimenting a bit this year. Mixing, shaking, tasting. Not a pro, but not the same person who used to think a cocktail was just juice and KC in a cup. I set up a little drink station by the tents, with a shaker, fresh fruits, some citrus, and ice from our cooler box.

I didn’t need much. The real star? Kenya Cane Smooth, the perfect balance between local heritage and a clean, modern finish. It was the kind of base you could build anything on, and I did. And once the drinks started flowing? Let’s just say the jokes stopped real quick.

I decided to recreate two KC Smooth signature cocktails I had seen my favourite artist, Yaba, make countless times on his socials, both easy and made within minutes. No fancy tools, no hard-to-find ingredients, just a bit of creativity, good company, and a love for great vibes.

Mzalendo Mix

1. KC Smooth - 60 ml
2. Mint Leaves 8-10 leaves 
3. Lime Juice 30 ml
4. Simple syrup 30 ml
5. Top up sprite 

Mautamu Mix 

1. KC Smooth- 30ml
2. Sugarcane juice- 30 ml
3. Assorted fruits
4. Top up ginger beer

By the end of the night, the lake had stilled, the fire was down to soft embers, and the last of the cocktails had long disappeared. We sat there wrapped in blankets and conversation, knowing we had stretched the day for all it was worth. It was an intimate, simple evening, filled with the best laughs and memories.

So next time you are planning a weekend hangout, bring KC Smooth along and create your own perfect vibe. Celebrate the small wins, the quiet laughs, and the moments that keep us pushing forward. That is the heartbeat of our Kenyan spirit worth toasting to.

The incident, captured earlier this week, showed tourists flouting park rules and disrupting one of nature’s most remarkable spectacles.

Posted on Instagram on Tuesday, August 19, by the conservation group Cheetah Guardians, the video depicts an alarming scene: visitors stepping out of their safari vehicles, crowding along the riverbank, and standing dangerously close to wildebeests—some less than a meter away.

The disturbance forced several wildebeests back into the crocodile-filled river after tourists blocked their path. In the accompanying post, the individual who recorded the footage alleged that a park ranger not only oversaw the incident but also demanded $20 (about Ksh2,584) to allow the filming to continue.

"Today, we witnessed a shocking and infuriating video: in the Maasai Mara, tourists jumped out of their safari vehicles and rushed to the riverbank to watch the wildebeest migration up close-some even blocked the animals"
By ???? cheetahguardians Instagram

WTF!! ???? NO RESPECT!! pic.twitter.com/QelRFkVPoX

— LION LOVERS (@LIONLOVERS5) August 19, 2025

However, per CS Miano's statement sent to newsrooms on Wednesday, August 20, the County Government of Narok has clarified the circumstances surrounding the widely circulated footage.

According to the Chief Warden, the incident occurred at the flooded Purungat Gate, where visitors had briefly alighted while waiting for the water to subside, rather than during a game drive inside the reserve.

Despite this explanation, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife expressed deep concern over the images, noting their potential to damage Kenya’s reputation at a time when global attention on conservation is at its peak.

"Kenya is a global leader in conservation and sustainable tourism, and the Maasai Mara Wildebeest migration is one of the world’s most extraordinary natural events and a wonder of the world. The Government remains steadfast in its commitment to protecting our natural heritage, ensuring that conservation efforts are upheld as a cornerstone of our national identity and global reputation," the statement read in part.

The Ministry stressed that all stakeholders—including government agencies, tour operators, and visitors—must uphold the highest standards of conduct to protect both wildlife and tourists.

To support Narok County’s management of the reserve, the Ministry proposed a series of measures:

• Strict enforcement of park rules, requiring visitors to remain inside vehicles except in designated areas, alongside increased ranger presence at sensitive points.

• Accountability for tour operators, with disciplinary or legal action against drivers, guides, or companies that allow clients to flout regulations.

• Prioritisation of safety and wildlife protection, to prevent risky interactions that endanger both people and animals.

• Joint oversight and awareness, including harmonised visitor management, public education campaigns, and clearer signage at gates and key migration viewing points.

The Ministry reaffirmed that Kenya’s tourism future depends on safeguarding its natural heritage while ensuring visitor safety.

"Kenya’s tourism future is anchored in our ability to protect both visitors and wildlife. We must act decisively to preserve the Maasai Mara’s integrity, uphold visitor safety, and demonstrate Kenya’s unwavering commitment to conservation," added the statement.

The wildebeest migration remains not only a wonder of the world but also a symbol of Kenya’s global leadership in conservation.

According to a despatch dated Tuesday, July 29, this decision represents a significant shift in Kenya’s conservation strategy and follows a presidential directive responding to a petition from the Maasai community.

The transfer will be carried out in line with Article 187 of the Constitution, which permits the sharing of functions between national and county governments.

Under a phased co-management arrangement, Kajiado County will manage the park’s daily operations, while the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) will continue to oversee national-level conservation responsibilities.

An elephant at Amboseli National Park. /UGANDA SAFARIS

"On conservation, the Cabinet ratified the transfer of Amboseli National Park to the County Government of Kajiado, fulfilling a presidential directive following a petition by the Maasai community," the despatch sent to newsrooms read in part.

"The transfer, executed under Article 187 of the Constitution, introduces a phased co-management model in which Kajiado County assumes operational control while Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) retains national conservation responsibilities."

The National Treasury will compensate KWS for any revenue losses, with a portion of park income still allocated to national conservation.

Cabinet went on to reveal that the move is intended to empower local communities, promote sustainable stewardship, and ensure equitable sharing of ecological and economic benefits. 

Amboseli, famous for its large elephant herds and breathtaking views of Mount Kilimanjaro, continues to be one of Kenya’s key wildlife sanctuaries. The revised management approach seeks to strike a balance between conserving the environment, involving local communities, and promoting economic growth.

The park has emerged as the fastest-growing wildlife park in Kenya, outpacing long-time favourites like the Maasai Mara in tourist numbers. The latest Economic Survey shows a 19 percent increase in visitors to Amboseli, while Maasai Mara experienced an 18 percent drop during the same period.

Tour operators link Amboseli’s surge in popularity to a rise in domestic tourism, made possible by more affordable rates, better infrastructure, and a growing appetite for local travel experiences. The park recorded 266,000 visitors last year—up significantly from just 50,000 five years earlier.

Overall, visits to national parks and game reserves grew by 2.8 percent, rising from 3.6 million in 2023 to 3.7 million in 2024.

The new arrangement is designed to enhance the protection of biodiversity while enabling nearby communities to play a more significant role in managing the park.

This move is viewed as progress toward more inclusive conservation practices that acknowledge the importance of local communities in safeguarding natural resources. It also responds to long-standing demands from the Maasai community for increased participation in the management and sharing of benefits from the renowned park.

Amboseli’s appeal has also been amplified by its strong presence on social media, with viral images of elephants framed by Mount Kilimanjaro and influencer-driven campaigns like #WhyAmboseli drawing the attention of a younger, digitally engaged audience.

A gate leading to the Amboseli National Park. /WIKIPEDIA

This iconic migration sees millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles move between Kenya’s Maasai Mara and Tanzania’s Serengeti, mainly during the rainy season, as they search for fresh pasture and water.

The spectacle attracts millions of tourists from across the globe, who flock to witness what’s widely regarded as one of the natural wonders of the world.

In an official letter to Narok Governor Patrick Ole Ntuntu, World Book of Records President Santosh Shukla described the event through a title that reads World’s Greatest Annual Terrestrial Wildlife Migration.

“We are delighted to inform you that the Maasai Mara National Reserve has been officially included in World Book of Records under the distinguished title: ‘World’s Greatest Annual Terrestrial Wildlife Migration’ for hosting the largest and most dramatic annual land animal migration on Earth, involving over 1.5 million wildebeests, zebras, and antelopes traversing the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem," the letter read.

"To commemorate this prestigious inclusion, we would be honoured to present the official World Record Certificate at the campus of Maasai Mara National Reserve. We request your kind confirmation for a suitable date and time for this presentation ceremony. Our official representatives would be pleased to coordinate and visit the reserve for this special occasion."

Shukla noted that the remarkable recognition honours the ecological significance of the Maasai Mara and highlights Kenya’s exceptional contribution to wildlife conservation, global biodiversity, and sustainable eco-tourism.

Ole Ntuntu, reacting to the news, hailed the recognition as the fruits being born from the hard work his administration has put into the world-famous national reserve.

“Upon assuming office two and a half years ago, my administration launched an ambitious campaign to restructure and revitalise the Maasai Mara National Reserve, with the objective of preserving and enhancing this invaluable natural asset," he said.

Ntuntu highlighted a range of reforms aimed at reviving the Maasai Mara’s ecosystem and reinforcing its global reputation. These measures include the implementation of the Maasai Mara National Reserve Management Plans, better equipping rangers, improving road infrastructure within the reserve, and adopting technology-driven conservation strategies.

He described the international recognition as a significant achievement for both Narok County and Kenya as a whole, celebrating the World Book of Records certification that officially acknowledges the Maasai Mara as the site of the world’s largest annual land-based wildlife migration.

What Is The Maasai Mara?

The Maasai Mara National Reserve is a world-renowned wildlife conservation area located in southwestern Kenya, within Narok County.

Covering roughly 1,510 square kilometres, the reserve forms part of the greater Mara-Serengeti ecosystem, sharing its southern border with Tanzania’s Serengeti National Park. Named after the Maasai people who inhabit the region and the Mara River that flows through it, the reserve is one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations.

The Maasai Mara is best known for its incredible biodiversity and rich concentration of wildlife. It is home to the “Big Five” — lions, leopards, elephants, rhinos, and buffalo — as well as countless other species, including cheetahs, hyenas, giraffes, and hippos. Birdlife is also abundant, with hundreds of species recorded across the reserve.

However, the reserve’s most famous attraction is the annual Great Migration, when millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles cross the plains in search of greener pastures. This migration, which involves perilous river crossings and predator encounters, has earned global recognition as one of the natural wonders of the world.

Beyond its ecological significance, the Maasai Mara plays a critical role in Kenya’s tourism industry. It attracts visitors from across the globe, contributing significantly to the local and national economy. Conservation efforts within the reserve focus on protecting its delicate ecosystems, supporting community-based initiatives, and employing modern technologies to manage wildlife and combat poaching.

In essence, the Maasai Mara National Reserve is not just a hub of wildlife tourism — it is a symbol of Kenya’s natural heritage and a global icon for biodiversity conservation.

Wildebeests at Maasai Mara National Reserve. /AMBOSELI NATIONAL PARK

Founded in 2019 by spirits expert Paul Jackson, World Rum Day was created to give rum the global spotlight it deserves. The day celebrates the craft, heritage, and cultural influence of rum, from its Caribbean roots to its global reach today calling on rum enthusiasts to raise their glasses to good times, bold flavours, and the spiced legacy.

In Kenya, Captain Morgan has redefined how rum is perceived and enjoyed. What was once a niche spirit is now a social centrepiece thanks to the brand’s bold identity, exciting flavours, and engaging activations.

“World Rum Day is the perfect moment to celebrate how Kenya has embraced this bold, spiced spirit. We are proud to be leading a new wave of rum culture in the region, where fun, flavor, and friendship come together” said Victor Adada, Brand Manager, Captain Morgan Kenya.

Over the past decade, Captain Morgan has mainstreamed Rum Cocktails from the coast of Mombasa to the nightlife of Nairobi, Kenyans now enjoy signature Captain Morgan cocktails like such as Captain Cola, Captain Ginger and Captain Lemonade. The brand has also made the once reserved for older generations or holiday resorts more accessible and embraced by a youthful, vibrant consumers in bars, restaurants, and homes across the country. Captain Morgan has also fostered a culture of celebration through spice takeover events and collaborations with artists, turning every bottle into an invitation to connect and create memorable moments.

This World Rum Day, Captain Morgan invites consumers to celebrate the day with unique signature serves.

Captain and Cola

Ingredients:

• 50ml Captain Morgan Spiced Gold
• 150ml Cola
• A squeeze of fresh lime
• Ice
• Garnish: Lime wedge

How to mix it:

• Fill your favourite glass with ice.
• Add Captain Morgan Spiced Gold.
• Pour over cola.
• Squeeze in lime and drop the wedge in.
• Stir gently and spice on.

Captain and Lemonade

Ingredients:

• 50ml Captain Morgan Spiced Gold
• 150 ml chilled lemonade
• Ice
• Garnish with lemon slice

How to mix it:

• Add ice to a tall glass.
• Pour in Captain Morgan Spiced Gold.
• Top with lemonade.
• Garnish with a slice of lemon and serve.

Captain and Ginger

Ingredients:

• 50ml Captain Morgan Spiced Gold
• 150ml chilled ginger ale or ginger beer
• Ice
• Garnish with lime wedge

How to mix it:

• Fill a glass with ice.
• Pour in Captain Morgan Spiced Gold.
• Top with ginger ale or ginger beer.
• Garnish with lime and enjoy.

Raise your glass, raise your flavour. However, you mix it, Spice on with Captain Morgan.

• Spiced Mutura – A Kenyan favourite flamed with rum, served with Ugali, kachumbari, and hearty beef broth.
• Beef Samosas – Minced beef slow-cooked with a splash of spiced rum, paired with tamarind-rum dip.
• Vegetable Samosas – Spicy glazed vegetable mix with a rum twist.
• Flamed Haggis with Mukimo – A bold cross-cultural fusion simmered in rum stock.
• Warm Pineapple Sundae with Rum Sauce – Donuts, pineapple, and ice cream drizzled with a spiced rum glaze.
• Coconut Rum Balls – A nostalgic treat with oats, raisins, condensed milk, and a tropical rum finish.

Speaking to the press on Sunday, June 22, Atwoli made the remarks in response to opposition from Karen residents over a planned 12.5-kilometre railway line linking Riruta to Ngong.

He argued that for the sake of economic progress and easing congestion in the capital, spaces like parks and forests might need to be sacrificed.

Atwoli proposed relocating all wildlife from Nairobi National Park to larger reserves like the Maasai Mara, suggesting the land could be better used for essential developments.

He emphasised that with Nairobi’s rapidly growing population, there’s a pressing need to free up land for new infrastructure projects—including roads, industrial parks, and more—to meet the demands of the expanding urban population.

"Even the national park, where we have animals, must be used to develop Nairobi. We need a new Nairobi with roads, facilities, and proper industrial parks because it is only Nairobi that has not been decongested in Africa," Atwoli said.

Adding "We must expand Nairobi through that National park, and we should take those animals to the Maasai Mara and make sure that Nairobi reflects an international city. You can't say that because Nairobi is the only city that has a National park should remain there."

Blending contemporary elegance with relaxed charm, The Roof offers more than just sweeping panoramic views of the city skyline.

It delivers a curated dining and social experience designed to appeal to discerning locals, international travellers, and business professionals alike.

Guests share drinks at 'The Roof' at ibis Styles Nairobi. /IBIS STYLES

The venue features live cooking stations, an expertly crafted tapas menu, signature cocktails, and themed nights — all set within a sophisticated atmosphere that encourages connection and celebration.

Whether for after-work drinks, special occasions, or private events, The Roof provides a versatile and welcoming setting that adapts seamlessly to a range of guest experiences.

Positioned as Nairobi’s newest social landmark, The Roof captures the spirit of the modern urban lifestyle — where design, flavour, and ambience converge high above the city. From golden sunsets to starlit evenings, it promises an unmatched setting for memorable moments.

"The surge in visitor numbers is a testament to Kenya’s growing appeal as a premier tourism and conference destination, driven by the ongoing international meetings in Nairobi and the successful marketing efforts. We are committed to making your future visits seamless, enjoyable, and memorable," she stated.

Adding "Your enthusiasm for Kenya’s natural treasures inspires us, and we’re thrilled to see so many of you embracing our prepaid ticketing system- over 60% of visitors on Sunday used this convenient option! This is a step forward in our shared journey toward smarter, faster, and more enjoyable park access. If you haven’t yet tried it, we invite you to purchase your tickets in advance via the eCitizen platform at http://kws.ecitizen.go.ke for a smoother entry."

These changes come just two days after prepaid ticket holders faced delays on Saturday, May 17, despite having bought their tickets early. Technical issues with the portal caused significant slowdowns, sparking frustration and backlash from tourists on social media.

As a result of the glitch, those with prepaid tickets had to queue alongside visitors still trying to purchase theirs at the gate via e-Citizen.

An upgraded ticketing system was launched by KWS on February 5, 2025. It was rolled out alongside enhancements to the eCitizen Payment System to boost revenue collection and make visitor entry more efficient, thus reducing the challenges reported by Kenyans in paying for the park services.

In a statement, KWS announced the introduction of two new express lanes exclusively for visitors with prepaid tickets.

The agency said the move is intended to cut down wait times and enhance the overall experience at one of Kenya’s most visited parks.

"To further enhance convenience and reduce entry wait times, we have introduced two express lanes exclusively for prepaid ticket holders at Nairobi National Park," the KWS announced.

KWS pre-paid tickets are digital entry passes that tourists can buy in advance when planning a visit to Nairobi National Park. To use the system, visitors must create an account on the e-Citizen platform.

The need for express lanes became clear after prepaid ticket holders faced delays on Saturday, May 17, despite having bought their tickets early. Technical issues with the portal caused significant slowdowns, sparking frustration and backlash from tourists on social media.

As a result of the glitch, those with prepaid tickets had to queue alongside visitors still trying to purchase theirs at the gate via e-Citizen.

In response, KWS encouraged tourists to keep using the prepayment option, highlighting that the new express lanes would allow for quicker and more efficient entry.

KWS also noted a major achievement: 60 per cent of visitors to Nairobi National Park are now using the prepaid ticketing system.

An upgraded ticketing system was launched by KWS on February 5, 2025. It was rolled out alongside enhancements to the eCitizen Payment System to boost revenue collection and make visitor entry more efficient, thus reducing the challenges reported by Kenyans in paying for the park services.

Earlier this year, a malfunction hit the eCitizen platform, leaving scores of Kenyans relying on it stranded. They took to social media to share their frustrations following the unavailability of the critical system.

Tourists, including those visiting Nairobi National Park, were left stranded after facing significant challenges due to the malfunction of the eCitizen platform. 

The footage, captured by an international journalist early in the morning of Saturday, May 17, showed a traffic jam at the park’s entrance, reportedly stretching for two kilometres, that left visitors waiting for hours just to get in.

The video also suggested that while tourists waited, park staff were letting friends and familiar faces bypass the queue, raising concerns about fairness and proper management.

''This is the shambolic system that continues to exist at the Nairobi National Park gate months after the new queueing system was introduced. People are still forced to wait in long queues, the management system is chaotic, people who are favoured by KWS staff are allowed to jump the queue, there is no rhyme or reason for it,'' the journalist revealed.

“We sincerely apologise for the long queues experienced this morning at the Nairobi National Park Main Gate. Your time and experience mean everything to us, and we’re working to make every visit as smooth as possible,” KWS stated.

KWS encouraged tourists to use the eCitizen platform to prepay for park entry, allowing quicker access through the Express Park Access lane.

They also reminded the public that aside from the Main Gate, the park has additional fully functional entry points—East Gate (off Mombasa Road) and Mbagathi Gate (on Magadi Road, across from Multimedia University)—which can help reduce traffic and long waits.

“By planning and exploring all available options, you help us protect your time, your experience, and your park,” KWS added.

The queuing system at Nairobi National Park was introduced as part of an upgraded ticketing system launched by KWS on February 5, 2025. It was rolled out alongside enhancements to the eCitizen Payment System to boost revenue collection and make visitor entry more efficient.

Earlier this year, a malfunction hit the eCitizen platform, leaving scores of Kenyans relying on it stranded. They took to social media to share their frustrations following the unavailability of the critical system. Tourists including those visiting Nairobi National Park were left stranded after facing significant challenges due to the malfunction of the eCitizen platform. 

Following the directive requiring all government services to be paid through the eCitizen platform, including park entry fees, the platform failed to process transactions. This left visitors forced to wait for hours at the main gate as the eCitizen platform crashed, with many taking to social media to complain about the delays.

The situation led to long queues of tourist vehicles and frustration among visitors who were unable to gain access to the park.

According to the latest statistics from the Annual Tourism Sector Performance Report 2024, Nairobi Mini Orphanage recorded the highest number of tourist visits in Kenya, with a record 455,550 tourists paying a visit to the conservation site.

Kenya has successfully recovered from previous challenges that had impacted its tourism sector, now reporting significant growth in the industry.

Nairobi National Park — the only national park located within a major city globally — ranked second, drawing 431,165 visitors over the year. KWS credited the surge in numbers to strong collaborative conservation initiatives.

Lake Nakuru National Park came in third with 293,107 visitors. The park is famous for its rich biodiversity, especially the iconic flamingos that continue to attract both local and international tourists.

"With Nairobi Orphanage, Nairobi National Park, and Kisumu Impala Sanctuary leading the charts, the numbers speak volumes about the growing love for our parks and the success of collaborative conservation efforts," KWS noted. 

Nairobi Safari Walk and Amboseli National Park claimed the fourth and fifth spots with 286,165 and 266,102 visitors respectively during the reporting period.

Trailing closely behind in sixth to tenth positions were Tsavo East National Park, Hell's Gate National Park, Kisite Marine Park, and Tsavo West National Park. These destinations all recorded rising visitor numbers, further reinforcing their reputation as top tourism hotspots.

Why Tourists Are Flocking In

The data shows that holiday and leisure travel was the primary driver of park visits, accounting for 44.2% of all entries. Business and conference-related visits followed at 26.9%, while 22% of visitors were in the country to see friends and family, highlighting the importance of regional and diaspora-linked travel.

Transit visitors made up 4.2%, while smaller segments included those visiting for education and religious purposes (1% each), as well as medical and work-related travel (0.4% each). Sports tourism also made an appearance at 0.3%, hinting at opportunities for niche market growth.

Kenya continues to attract tourists with its stunning diversity, from breathtaking landscapes and rich wildlife to vibrant cultural experiences. One of its most iconic spectacles is the Great Migration, where millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles thunder across the plains, delivering one of the most dramatic wildlife shows on Earth.

Even within the hustle and bustle of the capital, Nairobi National Park offers an extraordinary experience, being home to the Big Five just minutes away from the city center.

In Summary: Most Visited National Parks & Reserves In Kenya

1. Nairobi Mini Orphanage – 455,550 visitors
2. Nairobi National Park – 431,165 visitors
3. Kisumu Impala Sanctuary – 309,728 visitors
4. Lake Nakuru National Park – 293,107 visitors
5. Nairobi Safari Walk – 286,165 visitors
6. Amboseli National Park – 266,102 visitors
7. Tsavo East National Park – 238,545 visitors
8. Hell's Gate National Park – 230,314 visitors
9. Kisite Marine Park – 96,634 visitors
10. Tsavo West National Park – 89,594 visitors

Becoming a digital content creator is one of the most desired jobs for young people, and with studies showing that three-quarters of travel bookings are now inspired by content on social media, Visit Dubai and Beautiful Destinations are collaborating to champion the next generation of travel creators and make dreams come true.

Applications are now open for the Beautiful Destinations Academy Powered by Dubai – the world’s first dedicated training programme for travel content creators, launching in Dubai next month.

In a game-changing partnership with Visit Dubai, Beautiful Destinations is offering social media lovers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to transform their passion into a lucrative profession and have their videos seen by its audience of more than 50 million followers worldwide.

Turn your creative passion into a dream career

Starting in May 2025, the Academy’s three-month programme in Dubai is designed to help anyone master the art of travel storytelling while living a VIP experience in one of the world’s most vibrant cities, a fast-emerging global hub for the growing creator economy.

A beach overlooking the city of Dubai. /PHOTO

Lucky recruits will be coached by creative and business experts to become the next generation of talent bringing stunning travel videos to screens worldwide and embark on a career path with a high earnings potential, all while uncovering the world’s most enviable travel experiences.

An unmissable opportunity to ‘live your best life’ in Dubai… and beyond

Successful applicants will receive a generous package while enjoying the opportunity of a lifetime living in Dubai – a vibrant city with iconic landmarks and endless visual inspiration.

1. Free accommodation in serviced apartments in one of Dubai’s most sought-after neighbourhoods throughout the 3-month Academy residency
2. Generous salary to cover living expenses for the duration of the programme
3. Epic perks, including unparalleled access to shoot in some of Dubai’s most stunning and exclusive locations, normally reserved for celebrities and royalty
4. Insider knowledge and the chance to work alongside Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and Founder of Beautiful Destinations
5. Hands-on coaching and mentorship from Beautiful Destinations’ travel creators so participants can master the creative and technical skills to take their content to the next level
6. Certificate of Participation from one of the world’s leading tourism educational organisations, the Dubai College of Tourism  
7. Guaranteed pipeline of job opportunities with Beautiful Destinations upon graduation, setting alumni on an unrivalled career pathway as a social media content creator whose work will be showcased to millions of followers and brands

“We started Beautiful Destinations as a passion project with nothing more than a post on Instagram and have grown into a global business, working with the very best in the travel and tourism industry”, reveals Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and Founder, Beautiful Destinations.

“I want to share what I’ve learned with the next generation and give others the chance to experience the coolest career in the world. And there’s no better city than Dubai, which has inspired Beautiful Destinations’ creators since our earliest days, to do this in. You don’t need to be an expert to apply – we’re looking for raw, hidden talent”, adds Jauncey.

Jeremy Jauncey added that 76 percent of travel bookings are already inspired by social media content, a trend revolutionising the travel industry. 

"We want to equip young people with the skills to build a solid future in travel content creation, and to take advantage of this fast-growing sector. You don’t need expensive equipment or formal training – just a desire to turn your social media hobby into a dream career," he continued.

How to apply

Anyone with a love of filming travel content is invited to apply from April 15, 2025.  To enter, they should:

1. Upload a 60-second video to their Instagram feed showcasing their perspective on travel, culture, or adventure
2. Tag @BeautifulDestinations @VisitDubai #BDacademy in their post
3. Submit a link to their post via www.beautifuldestinations.com/academy and complete the online application

The deadline for entries is 23:59 GMT (2:59 am Kenyan time) on April 23, 2025.

Join the Beautiful Destinations Academy! In partnership with us, we're offering 4 emerging creators a PAID 12-week program to master cinematic techniques, AI & brand strategy. ????✈️

Apply now! Find out more here: https://t.co/d5qJ23Cxh0#BDAcademy pic.twitter.com/uHPv7qIcs7

— Visit Dubai (@visitdubai) April 17, 2025

Entries will be judged by a panel of experts, including H.E. Issam Kazim, CEO of the Dubai Corporation for Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Visit Dubai) and Jeremy Jauncey, CEO and Founder, Beautiful Destinations.

“Whether you’re filming in a local park or back garden, it’s your creative eye that counts, not where you’ve been,” explains Jauncey.

“Some of our most successful creators started by making amazing content of ordinary places. We’re not looking for people who’ve travelled the world – we’re looking for people who can make any location look extraordinary.”

The first lucky apprentices will join the Beautiful Destinations Academy in May, learning creative and business skills from industry pros to turbocharge their prospects and build their personal brands.

New cohorts of apprentices will be hired every quarter, so for those who don’t have a winning submission right now, there’s time to prepare for season two.

Photo of the Palm Jumeirah island in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). /ROUGH GUIDES

The event celebrated the art of socializing in style, with guests stepping out in elegant pastels, crisp whites, and bright summer hues. A selection of expertly crafted gin-infused tea cocktails took centre stage, offering a refreshing departure from the traditional high tea experience. From the Gordon’s Martini Tea to the Gordon’s Earl Fizz, there was something for everyone.   

Delectable pairings, curated by Chef Robert of Holiday Inn Nairobi Two Rivers, featured freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches, and artisanal desserts that perfectly complemented the cocktails, creating a truly indulgent afternoon.

Keeping the vibe lively, celebrated band Stage Revolution, along with DJ Shwatz and DJ Taylor, while Anto Neosoul reignited the stage, leading an electrifying karaoke session until late. entertained guests well into the evening.

From left, Gordon's Brand Manager Elizabeth Otieno with Consumer Analyst Stellah Nyongesa at the high tea experience. /HANDOUT

Taking the experience up a notch was the Gordon’s mixology challenge, where guests got the chance to showcase their creativity and flair behind the bar. The contest saw three standout winners, namely MaryAnne Kisera, Bancy Nyawira and Betty Muriithi, respectively, each walking away with a surprise reward.

First place won a premium accommodation package at Holiday Inn Nairobi Two Rivers, a Gordon’s sippy cup, and a bottle of Gordon’s Gin. Second place took home a cocktail mix set and a bottle of Gordon’s and breakfast for two at Holiday Inn Nairobi Two Rivers, while the third-place winner received a Gordon’s sippy cup and a bottle of Gordon’s Gin.  

“Seeing our guests immerse themselves in the creativity, flavors, and vibrant spirit of the Gordon’s High Tea Soirée was truly exciting. This wasn’t just about tea; it was about celebrating the zest of life in every sip and every moment,” said Elizabeth Otieno, Brand Manager, Gordon’s. 

The event's stunning setup, warm hospitality, and electric atmosphere created an unforgettable gathering. Guests mingled, sipped, and shared laughs, perfectly embodying the Gordon's spirit: bold, playful, and unapologetically fun. 

Pooja Patel, General Manager, Holiday Inn Nairobi Two Rivers, added: “This collaboration with Gordon’s allowed us to create a dynamic and immersive high tea experience, seamlessly blending tradition with modern indulgence.

"I am proud to announce that the special tea cocktails will now feature in our drinks section menu, so feel free to come and experience these amazing cocktails. We look forward to hosting many more unique and vibrant experiences in the future.”  

With its perfect mix of style, flavour, and fun, the Gordon’s High Tea Experience left guests with unforgettable memories, fresh inspiration, and perhaps a few new cocktail recipes to try at home! 

Please drink responsibly. Alcohol is not for sale to persons under the age of 18 years.

The brand was unveiled on Thursday, March 27, at the grand opening of the museum’s latest exhibition, marking a significant milestone in its journey. This year’s exhibition, "Splash: A Century of Swimming," explores the evolution of swimming and swimwear over the past 100 years.

Ohana Swimwear has been recognized as a contemporary innovator shaping the future of the industry, solidifying its reputation on the global stage.

According to its founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Neema Nkatha Kinoti, being featured in the world’s largest contemporary design museum is a momentous achievement for Ohana, reflecting its commitment to redefining modern swimwear.

"Ohana Swimwear has officially been displayed at the Design Museum in London! Today marked the grand opening of the exhibition, and we are beyond thrilled to share that Ohana will be permanently featured at the world's largest contemporary design museum," Nkatha revealed in a statement she shared with Viral Tea.

"Ohana has been recognized as one of the contemporary innovators shaping the future of swimwear. This is a huge milestone for us, and we are honored to be part of such a prestigious showcase."

Nkatha, in her latest Instagram post, also used the milestone announcement to thank her 'Ohana'—her family—who showed up for the grand opening, representing so graciously. "And more than anything, I’m incredibly proud and humbled to represent Kenya on a global stage," she added.

As a registered charity, the museum showcases how design can drive positive change for both the planet and its people through its groundbreaking exhibitions, partnerships, research, and educational programs.

Established in 1989 by Sir Terence Conran, it serves as the UK’s premier space where the design industry, educators, and the public converge to reshape perspectives on identity and the future through design.

Located in Kensington, the museum's landmark building functions as the heart of a national network and an international hub for design’s transformative power. Since its relocation in 2016, it has attracted millions of visitors, making the design’s impact more visible than ever. In recognition of its influence, it was named European Museum of the Year in 2018.

Nkatha started Ohana Swimwear out of frustration in terms of finding a swimsuit in Nairobi that satisfied her taste, resolving to make one herself, not knowing that this ignited a business idea. The first swimsuit she made for herself was for a trip to Europe with her family after efforts to find one she liked from the many shops, boutiques and malls she visited in Nairobi hit a bump.

What she was looking for first was a costume that was not second-hand, owing to the extra-sensitivity posed by intimate wear, and another aspect was that she wanted something far from the ordinary, practical and plain swimming costume.

This inspired Nkatha to venture into a business to create an authentic Kenyan-inspired swimsuit line, which would turn out to disrupt the market for swimwear, leading to the birth of her business, Ohana Family Wear, during her final year at the United States International University- Africa (USIU).

“It all started in late July of 2017 after I made the first piece for myself. When my friends saw it, they started asking where I’d gotten the swimsuit from, and suddenly orders started coming in, and that was when I decided to turn it into a side hustle,” Nkatha, who was then working at Fusion Capital, revealed in a past interview with Business Daily.

She noted at the time that her brand was driven by the need to embrace all body types, as well as celebrate African culture as it combines Afro-inspired fabrics, colours and prints to create modern designs, with the luxuriant print and colour play of the swimsuit being the biggest attraction when customers started placing their first orders.

Nkatha disclosed that she started small, recording monthly sales worth less than Ksh5,000. The situation was compounded by the fact that she had taken a loan to start the business, and her main preoccupation was whether the business would do well enough to enable her to repay it.

During the COVID-19 pandemic which crippled many businesses, she began expanding by launching the kids' wear and Safari Collection and got more partners such as the London Fashion Week, Mr and Miss World Kenya and WCR. Icons such as actress Lupita Nyong'o took notice of Nkatha's works and promoted them, all during the pandemic. The rest, as they say, is history.

Nkatha was furthermore inspired to go into the swimwear brand to dispel the notion that “Africans don’t swim”, backed by previous statistics by the World Health Organization, noting that drowning deaths were highest in Africa at rates that were 15-20 times higher than in developed countries.

According to her, swimming is an essential skill, and Ohana Swimwear aims to provide easy-to-access swimwear to Africans, which gives them extra confidence before stepping into the water.

The Ohana Family Wear brand is trademarked, and all swimsuit designs are protected legally before each season’s launch to ensure there is no duplication.

A swimsuit from Ohana Family Wear featured at the Design Museum in London, United Kingdom (UK) as of March 27, 2025. /NEEMA NKATHA KINOTI

This mesmerizing water and light show, choreographed to Kenyan cultural music, aims to turn KICC into a vibrant attraction, elevating both its historic significance and Nairobi’s international appeal.

Drawing inspiration from Dubai’s renowned water displays outside the iconic Dubai Mall, the spectacle is set to captivate audiences.

Since its inauguration on September 11, 1973, KICC has stood as a symbol of Kenya’s heritage, continuously adapting to uphold its reputation as a leading hub for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE).

The dancing fountain at KICC is almost completed as of March 14, 2025. /SCREENGRAB.KBC

"This is one of a kind in the African continent, usually seen in Dubai. We have similar ones at the Burj Khalifa, and that is what we are bringing here in Kenya at the KICC," explained Geoffrey Thande, KICC's Director of Business Development.

"The reason we are doing this is that we are in the Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) business. So when delegates come here for meetings, what else can they do? What else can they enjoy in our Kenyan market? We feel that, apart from the national parks, they can also enjoy this."

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time KICC has had dancing fountains. In 1973, a similar fountain was installed, primarily designed to spray water into the air. Now, KICC is modernizing its original fountains, bringing them up to world-class standards.

Features of the New KICC Dancing Fountain

Unlike the 1973 version, the upgraded fountains will incorporate music and synchronized movements, controlled by robotics, computers, and artificial intelligence. They will create intricate water patterns while projecting vibrant colored lights, allowing customization to match specific themes. In comparison, the Dubai Mall fountain boasts 6,600 lights and 25 color projectors.

The old fountains required nearly a million liters of water, which had to be replaced weekly due to rapid contamination. In contrast, the new system will recycle the same water for six months, with only minor top-ups to offset evaporation.

Additionally, robotic cleaning machines will operate along the fountain floor, ensuring continuous maintenance by removing dirt and deposits.

For sustainability, the fountains will be powered by solar energy from a plant in Tsavo. Given that they require 30 motors with capacities ranging from 2.2 to 8 kilowatts, solar power is essential to meet their energy demands.

Why the Upgrade?

The new dancing fountains will create a breathtaking, immersive experience for visitors by combining water, light, and music in a visually stunning display. This transformation is expected to position KICC as a major attraction for both local and international tourists.

Furthermore, the fountains are anticipated to increase foot traffic, especially during themed shows, family events, and cultural performances scheduled for weekends.

To celebrate the launch, KICC is planning an exclusive inaugural event before the end of March. This showcase will feature live music, special effects, and a select audience of corporate executives, event planners, and media representatives.

Other Upgrades

In an email in response to a story done by Viral Tea, Airbnb revealed that its name is often used as a general term for short-term rental accommodations, making it easy for people to generalise every other rental accommodation platform as one of their own.

"Airbnb is often used as a catch-all term to describe a number of different types of short-term letting accommodation, and has previously been incorrectly linked to issues involving other platforms.

"Airbnb is working to identify locations used for illegal purposes. Airbnb’s advice to hosts on safety and security in Kenya - and Africa broadly - is clear," the statement read in part.

Emphasizing the importance of maintaining safety standards, the vacation rental company reiterated that clients must adhere to strict policies, community guidelines, and terms of service.

To address security concerns, the company provides an option to cancel reservations, stating that clients have the right to decline accommodation if it has received multiple negative reviews. Similarly, clients can cancel a booking if no profile information about the rental apartment is available online.

In addition to a 24-hour in-app safety hotline, the company expressed its commitment to working with law enforcement agencies to combat criminal activities, including sharing data on offenders when necessary.

This came after NACADA, in its statement, noted with growing concern the increasing trend where private rental spaces, particularly Airbnb accommodations, are being turned into drug dens. According to the authority, recent incidents revealed that these premises are being misused for drug-fueled parties, illicit alcohol consumption, and, in some cases, tragic fatalities due to substance overdoses.

NACADA revealed that in collaboration with law enforcement agencies, it has been conducting sustained crackdowns on illicit drug operations in entertainment venues, residential areas, and major urban centers.

"This enforcement pressure has forced individuals involved in the illegal drug trade to shift their activities to seemingly discreet locations such as Airbnbs where they attempt to evade scrutiny," read the statement in part, adding "Over the past year, multiple reports have emerged of young people having indulged in drugs in Airbnbs, in some incidences leading to deadly overdose."

In Nairobi, a string of such cases raised alarms about the urgent need for firmer monitoring and regulation of short-term rental accommodations.

A report by NACADA indicated that 23 percent of young adults aged 18- 24 in urban areas have engaged in drug use at social gatherings, with the authority revealing that private venues such as Airbnbs account for a significant percentage of these cases.

"This situation calls for immediate action from all stakeholders, and we urge Airbnb hosts and property managers to exercise due diligence in screening guests and flagging any suspicious activities to the relevant authorities," added the authority.

NACADA reaffirmed its commitment to fighting drug and alcohol abuse in all forms, adding that it is intensifying surveillance, awareness campaigns, and collaborations with the police, county governments, and private sector players to curb the emerging threat.

Parents, guardians, and communities were further tasked to remain vigilant and actively engage young people in constructive activities to steer them away from the dangers of drug abuse.

According to the Mental State of the World 2024 report by Sapien Labs, African countries generally have better mental health compared to high-income nations.

The study, which analyzed over one million responses from internet users across 76 countries, highlights Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria as the top African nations where young adults demonstrate greater mental resilience.

On a mental health scale of 0 to 100, young adults in Kenya score between 50 and 60, outperforming their peers in Western countries, where mental health has significantly declined since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Scouts from different countries during the 61st Jamhuri Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi on December 12, 2024. /PCS

In contrast, youth in nations like the United Kingdom, New Zealand, and Ukraine are experiencing some of the lowest mental health scores, ranging between 30 and 40.

South Africa stands out as the only surveyed African country with mental health levels similar to Western nations, as its youth also score between 30 and 40 MHQ.

“Tanzania ranks first in Africa and the highest globally. However, it is worth noting that the figures for African youth are still way below the average figures for older adults across the globe.

“South Africa is the only country surveyed in Africa that is aligned more with the West, with South African youth scoring between 30-40 MHQ, which is low, but still above poorly performing countries such as the UK, Ukraine and New Zealand,” the report stated in part.

Why Are Kenyans Strong Mentally?

Kenya’s stronger youth mental health is largely attributed to key factors such as strong social and family connections.

Unlike in Western countries, where individualism and digital isolation have eroded traditional support systems, Kenyan youth continue to benefit from close-knit families and a strong sense of community.

The report also highlights that young people in Kenya are typically introduced to smartphones and social media later than their Western counterparts, delaying the negative effects associated with excessive screen time.

Additionally, Kenyan youth engage in more face-to-face social interactions compared to those in high-income nations, fostering emotional resilience. They also participate in outdoor activities such as sports and community events, which help reduce stress and promote mental well-being.

Despite these advantages, the report warns of emerging threats to mental health, including early smartphone exposure, processed diets, and weakening social structures.

With urbanization and increased digital adoption, Kenyan youth are beginning to experience rising levels of anxiety, depression, and emotional distress, resembling trends observed in Western nations.

Dr. Tara Thiagarajan, Founder and Chief Scientist at Sapien Labs, cautions that while Kenyan youth currently enjoy a mental resilience advantage, this could be at risk unless governments and communities take proactive measures.

“Africa holds a unique advantage in youth mental health, but this must be actively protected as the continent undergoes rapid technological and economic shifts,” she stated.

A photo of Kenyans talking to each other in an office. /iSTOCK

This assessment was initiated following a directive by the Ministry to investigate compliance with licensing and safety standards after the tragic death of a patient, Lucy Wambui during a cosmetic surgery procedure.

From the assessment, the Ministry found out that out of a total of 26 aesthetic clinics were assessed, 20 (77%) were found to be compliant with licensing and operational standards. Three (3) facilities had applied for registration and were awaiting approval, while another three (3) were operating illegally without registration.

102 beauty spas were inspected, with seven found to be offering invasive procedures such as micro-blading and micro-needling without proper registration or qualified personnel.

Furthermore, 40 percent of assessed facilities lacked essential emergency medical supplies, while 25 percent exhibited inadequate infection prevention and control measures. The centre linked to the death of the patient was not assessed as it remains closed pending legal proceedings.

Consequently, the Ministry has issued the following key directives and recommendations:

1. The Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) is directed to enforce the immediate closure of unregistered aesthetic clinics operating illegally.
2. All facilities with inadequate Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures must comply with recommended standards within 30 days.
3. Facilities lacking emergency medical provisions must establish and equip emergency trays within 60 days.
4. Aesthetic centres/clinics without Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) must develop and implement them within 60 days to ensure safe and standardized practices.
5. All beauty and medical spas are prohibited from offering or advertising invasive medical procedures unless properly inspected, registered and licensed as per the norms and standards.

"The government is developing a comprehensive regulatory framework for invasive cosmetic procedures in beauty and medical spas to enhance public protection, safety and compliance," the statement read in part.

The Ministry of Health urged members of the public to seek cosmetic and plastic surgery services only from licensed and qualified practitioners to safeguard their health and well-being.

Additionally, beauty and medical spas have been prohibited from offering or advertising invasive medical procedures unless properly registered and licensed.

"The Ministry remains committed to enhancing patient safety, strengthening regulations, and ensuring that all health-related services in Kenya adhere to the highest standards of care," added the statement.

KWS on Tuesday, February 4 revealed that the piloting phase began in three major parks including the Nairobi National Park, Nairobi Safari Walk, and Nairobi Animal Orphanage.

"We are pleased to inform the public that the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) is piloting an upgraded eCitizen Payment System via the following link: https://kwspay.ecitizen.go.ke/ at Nairobi National Park, Nairobi Safari Walk and Nairobi Animal Orphanage," KWS stated in part.

A collage of tourist vehicles stranded at the entrance of Nairobi National Park on January 3, 2024. /ASMALI

KWS however revealed that during the pilot phase, all tickets issued through this platform will be honoured at the three pilot facilities mentioned above.

Furthermore, once an individual pays the required entry fee, he or she will receive a Short Message Service (SMS) notification as confirmation of successful transactions.

"KWS onboarded the eCitizen revenue collection system on 22nd August 2023. All our services have since been onboarded and greatly improved revenue collection and management," added KWS.

"The upgraded eCitizen payment system being piloted aims to further enhance efficiency, reduce cycle time and improve overall customer experience. We will soon update the public on the rollout of the upgrade once we complete the ongoing pilot phase."

Kenyans experiencing challenges in accessing the new eCitizen portal were urged to seek support from KWS officers through its official email address customerservice@kws.go.ke or official WhatsApp number 0726 610509.

Earlier this year, a malfunction hit the eCitizen platform, leaving scores of Kenyans relying on it stranded. They took to social media to share their frustrations following the unavailability of the critical system. Tourists including those visiting Nairobi National Park were left stranded after facing significant challenges due to the malfunction of the eCitizen platform. 

Following the directive requiring all government services to be paid through the eCitizen platform, including park entry fees, the platform failed to process transactions. This left visitors forced to wait for hours at the main gate as the eCitizen platform crashed, with many taking to social media to complain about the delays.

The situation led to long queues of tourist vehicles and frustration among visitors who were unable to gain access to the park.

This is not the first time eCitizen has had issues, especially in the tourism sector. On October 10, 2024, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano took it upon herself to address the challenges faced by Kenyans in accessing eCitizen services, especially while paying to access national parks and game reserves across the country.

Miano was responding to woes that hit German Ambassador to Kenya Sebastian Groth on the eCitizen issue after he lamented being stranded at the entrance of the Watamu Marine National Park in Kilifi County.

Held at the picturesque Shamba Village in Loresho, the exclusive event drew industry professionals, wine enthusiasts and stakeholders from across East Africa to explore the best of Italian wine culture with a showcase of over 170 wines from 44 wineries representing 15 regions in Italy.

Organized by International Wine Consultants, VinPodium, and local business partner, Victoria Mulu-Munywoki, Wine Consultant, Judge and Captain of Team Wine Kenya, the esteemed event saw 19 or 54% of the wineries from 2024 returning for this year’s event marking a significant milestone in the interest in Italian wine culture in East Africa.

“The Gambero Rosso Top Italian Wine Roadshow is a prestigious and exclusive international tour, that showcases a selection of Italy's finest wines to global audiences, as featured in the award-winning Gambero Rosso Wine and Culinary Guide.

Tiina Eriksson, the Business & Events Manager, Gambero Rosso Intl with Victoria Mulu-Munywoki, Business Partner, VinPodium during the The Gambero Rosso Top Italian Wine Roadshow on January 30, 2025. /HANDOUT

"Gambero Rosso is a renowned authority in the Italian wine industry, making this roadshow a significant occasion for wine enthusiasts worldwide”, commented Mark Artivor, Founder of VinPodium.

With a focus on creating linkages and introducing choice Italian wines to importers, distributors, retailers, restaurateurs as well as wine business leaders in East Africa, the event featured interactive wine-tasting sessions of award-winning wines, highlighting Italy's rich and diverse wine heritage in addition to two masterclasses.

Delivered by Italian wine experts Giuseppe Carrus and Victoria Mulu-Munywoki, the classes are insightful sessions designed to educate local traders, importers, and restaurateurs on Italian wine varieties and pairings. 

Carrus is a prominent figure in wine education and is currently the editor of the Vini d’Italia guidebook since 2019. The guidebook reviews over 25,000 wines, awarding ratings of ‘one to three glasses’ (the highest being the Tre Bicchieri - three glasses), and is a testament to the quality and variety of Italian wines.

For the second time, the event celebrated the top establishments excelling in Italian cuisine and wine offerings, giving a coveted glimpse of twenty locations where to get the best Italian cuisine, pizza and wine in Kenya. 

The complete list (not in any order) included;

1. La Cascina, Nairobi 

2.La Casa di Nico, Nairobi 

3. Pomodoro, Nairobi 

4. Padel, Nairobi

5. Wine & More Kenya, Diani

6. The Wine Shop, Nairobi 

7. Liv Vin, Nairobi 

8. Enoteca, Nairobi 

9.La Salumeria, Nairobi 

10.Roberto's, Mombasa 

11. Tamu, Watamu 

12. Papa Remo, Watamu

13. Visiwa, Watamu 

14. Solo Grano, Nairobi 

15. Matteo's, Nairobi 

16. La Terrazza, Nairobi 

17. La Dolce Vita, Nairobi 

18. La Villa, Nairobi 

19. Sunset, Watamu 

20. La Piazzetta by Non solo Gelato, Nairobi

“We are seeing a heightened awareness of Italian wines and wine culture among Kenyan consumers and industry professionals. The Gambero Rosso Top Italian Wine Roadshow facilitates direct interactions between Italian wine producers and Kenyan stakeholders, paving the way for stronger trade partnerships”, said Victoria Mulu-Munywoki.

Fueled by an evolving middle class and a burgeoning appreciation for premium wines, Kenya's wine market has experienced significant growth in the recent past. In 2022, the country imported approximately Ksh2.997 billion (USD 23.2 million) worth of wine, with Italy contributing approximately $1.87 million to these imports, reflecting growing consumer demand for quality and diversity. 

According to market intelligence firm Statista, the market is expected to generate revenues of Ksh11.6 billion (USD 89.8 million) in 2025, with a projected growth of 6.09 percent by 2029 to reach a market volume of approximately Ksh14.2 billion ($109.6 million). By 2028 wine consumption in the country is expected to rise to approximately 8,300 metric tons up from 8,000 metric tons in 2023. 

However, even with these projections, challenges to the industry include rising taxation linked to inflation, which is expected to impact wine prices, potentially stifling consumption among other business and operational challenges, such as delivery delays and supply chain issues.

Even so, the vibrant growth of restaurants and social venues is expected to foster wine appreciation and knowledge, creating new sales opportunities for the industry, with consumers embracing a more sophisticated drinking culture. 

"The increasing popularity of Italian wines in Kenya is a big opportunity for Gambero Rosso to further penetrate the East African market.  Addressing the existing gaps in imports and trade is therefore important if we are to capitalize on the evolving local wine culture, of course in collaboration with Italian wineries and local culinary establishments to further enhance the presence and consumption in the region”, said Tiina Eriksson, International Business & Events Manager at Gambero Rosso.

The Gambero Rosso Top Italian Wine Roadshow aims to build on its inaugural success, solidifying its place as a flagship event in Nairobi's wine and culinary calendar while bridging the gap between Italian producers and East African markets.

Participants at the 2nd edition of the Gambero Rosso Top Italian Wine Roadshow on 30th January in Nairobi Kenya. The event showcased over 170 wines from 44 wineries, compared to 35 who attended the event in 2024. /HANDOUT.VIRAL TEA KE

Guests can expect contemporary rooms, diverse dining options and an expansive array of amenities and premium services to provide an unforgettable stay.

Nestled in the heart of Nairobi’s renowned business hub, Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands invites guests to explore the upscale commercial and tourist area in the vibrant Westlands neighbourhood. Guests can learn about local culture at the nearby Nairobi National Museum, explore nature at Karura Forest, observe wildlife at Nairobi National Park, and enjoy shopping and restaurants at the Sarit shopping centre and Westgate Mall.

Commenting on the announcement, Stephen Ansell, Managing Director – Middle East and Africa, Hyatt, said, “We are thrilled to debut our first Hyatt branded hotel in Kenya, marking a significant milestone in Hyatt's growth in the African market. Underscoring our commitment to expanding into sought-after destinations and catering to the diverse needs of modern travellers, we are pleased to offer our World of Hyatt members and customers even more destination choices.”

Hyatt Regency in Westlands, Nairobi. /HYATT

“We are excited to announce the opening of Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands, where guests can look forward to immersive local experiences,” said Igor Jovovic, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands, adding “From our design that reflects the vibrant Kenyan landscape to our curated culinary concepts, the hotel promises a taste of Kenya's diverse flavours. We are setting the stage for memories that will last a lifetime, right in the heart of one of the most breathtaking destinations in the world.”

Elevated Living Spaces

Designed to suit every traveller’s needs, Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands features 219 rooms that include a selection of 147 guestrooms and suites and 72 apartments.

The bright and spacious rooms are a perfect blend of comfort and functionality, equipped with a 65” flat-screen smart TV for endless entertainment, high-speed Wi-Fi, and deluxe bath amenities for a pampering experience. Coffee enthusiasts and tea lovers will appreciate the in-room coffee maker and tea station, while a minifridge and workspace add to the convenience of the stay. 

Hyatt Regency in Westlands, Nairobi. /HYATT

Inspired by the rich and diverse landscapes of Africa, the property has adopted a warm tone and earthy colour scheme into its interior furnishings and designs. The carefully selected hues echo the natural beauty of the continent, creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere.

Culinary Offerings

At Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands, the culinary offerings are a celebration of both local flavours and international cuisine, designed to tantalize the taste buds and showcase a delectable dining experience.

District 6 Bar offers a captivating ambience for guests to unwind in the evenings. Patrons are invited to enjoy a laid-back atmosphere with great music, an extensive selection of cocktails and beverages, and a menu with international and local favourites. Set on the west side of the building, District 6 overlooks stunning sunsets directly from its terrace.

Guests can experience a diverse selection of authentic multi-cuisines featuring African, Asian and Mediterranean culinary influences at E.A.T, an all-day dining restaurant. 

Serving the finest Kenyan coffees and teas selection, The Atrium offers a cosy venue to indulge in the casual café menu which includes an assortment of delectable snacks and delightful desserts.

Hyatt Regency in Westlands, Nairobi. /HYATT

Distinct Services and Amenities

Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands offers a comprehensive selection of services and amenities for guests.

The fitness centre, covering 2,906 square feet (270 square meters), packs in all the essential gear for a full-body workout, while the 1,506-square-foot (140-square-meter) Aerobic Studio hosts a variety of classes, from high-energy to mindful stretching, all led by expert trainers.

The serene 1,044-square-foot (97-square-meter) indoor pool on the seventh floor includes open wall sections allowing sunlight to flood through the space and offers stunning views of the city.

For residents nearby, the hotel offers the option of fitness centre memberships that come with benefits, including pool, steam room and sauna access, as well as personal training sessions for a more customized workout plan.

Meetings and Events

Additionally, Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands offers versatile meeting spaces suitable for boardroom discussions, grand banquets and large conferences.

The top floor of the property features a stunning ballroom, one of the largest in East Africa, with views of every side of the city. With more than 21,520 square feet (2,000 square meters) of available space, the property offers 10 distinct meeting spaces with audio-visual equipment and unique workstations.

For more information, please visit www.hyatt.com

Hyatt Regency Nairobi Westlands Director of Sales & Marketing Denis Glibic during the official opening of the hotel. /HANDOUT

Taking place from January 29 to February 1, 2025, at the Sarit Center, the event will celebrate a new wave of African designers who are challenging the status quo and paving the way for a fashion industry rooted in regeneration, sustainability, and innovation. 

As the global fashion industry faces an urgent need to adopt sustainable practices, African designers are leading the charge by integrating regenerative fashion principles that go beyond simply reducing environmental harm.

Regenerative fashion is about renewing and replenishing natural resources, revitalizing ecosystems, and empowering local communities through ethical production processes. Season Seven of the Nairobi Fashion Week will shine a spotlight on the next generation of designers who are redefining fashion for a more sustainable and restorative future.

“The theme aligns with our vision of positioning Africa as a global leader in sustainability. "We are working to establish a platform for sustainable designers across Africa, rooted in the region's cultural values. Our goal is to promote organic fabrics and sustainable fashion, and we believe this platform will help us reclaim and celebrate our story," says Brian Kihindas, Creative Director of Nairobi Fashion Week. 

Models during a past Nairobi Fashion Week event. /JOBARTOGRAPHY

“Throughout history, African communities have embraced sustainable fashion by crafting garments from locally sourced, natural materials and utilizing traditional techniques that prioritize longevity, cultural significance, and environmental harmony."

“This year’s Nairobi Fashion Week is a celebration of a new era in African fashion. We are looking for designers whose ethos is about the restoration and healing of the planet from their sourcing of textiles to the disposal of waste, and knowing the end of life of their creations. These rising stars are proving that Africa can lead the world in regenerative fashion, with creativity and purpose driving every aspect of their work,” says Lisa Kibutu, Sponsor and Production Lead at NFW. 

The event will feature a selection of designers who are not only showcasing innovative styles but are also committed to responsible practices that reflect both environmental consciousness and cultural heritage. 

Among the highlights is LaOculta, a womenswear brand rooted in both Kenya and Colombia. Founded in 2021 by Catalina and Sofia, LaOculta is dedicated to slow fashion, collaborating with artisans from both countries to create unique pieces that merge cross-cultural artisanal techniques with sustainable production.

There is SOKOLATA, a high-end and eco-responsible ready-to-wear created in 2022 by Sikoti Mbaitjongue from Senegal. The brand uses natural materials of African origin in their creations, including organic Senegalese cotton, raw cotton from Benin as well as various West African fabrics traditionally woven by hand.

The fashion minimizes its environmental impact thanks to the choice of its materials and its suppliers and their entire value chain is based in Africa, thus contributing to the development of a new ethical African fashion.

Also featured is Maisha By Nisria, a non-profit fashion and design studio based in Nakuru, Kenya. Known for its unique, handmade clothing, Maisha By Nisria specialises in upcycling and creative reuse, transforming discarded textiles into contemporary handmade pieces that stand out for their innovation.

Kenyan womenswear designer Eva Wambutu returns to the runway after her impressive debut at Nairobi Fashion Week Season 6. Known for her silhouette-focused designs, she has quickly emerged as a designer to watch in the fashion scene.

Jewellery and accessories brand Apar Gadek will add its unique flair to the event. Led by designer Shirley Anyango in collaboration with artisans from Kibera, Apar Gadek offers distinctive pieces made from materials like brass, recycled glass beads, and upcycled cow horn and bone, each item telling its own story.

“I believe people are slowly becoming more concerned about their garments and where they are coming from. People are trying to go back to originality and not to be wearing the same outfits as everybody else.

"I believe there will be a rise in local handmade artsy garments rather than just consuming fast fashion apparel that is ruining many things from economics to culture to environment. Nairobi Fashion Week is not just about showcasing beautiful clothes—it's about telling the story of our planet and the people who inhabit it,” concludes Nur M Nasria, founder of Maisha by Nusria.  

Andrea Galante piece during a past Nairobi Fashion Week event. /HANDOUT

KEMRI stated on Wednesday, January 8 that the price of the testing service rose from Ksh20,000 to Ksh27,000.

“We wish to inform our valued customers of a marginal price adjustment for the DNA Testing Service from Ksh20,000 to Ksh27,000 starting this January 2025,” the statement read.

The KEMRI Human DNA Identification Laboratory (HID) offers DNA Testing services in the areas of paternity and family relationship testing, a service that has become popular in recent times.

KEMRI offices in Nairobi. /KENYA MEDICAL RESEARCH INSTITUTE (KEMRI)

The laboratory offers services to both private clients and those referred by the courts, especially in family cases involving child support payments. According to information on the KEMRI website, the facility meets international standards and the institute aims to make the services accessible and affordable to everyone.

"Our facility meets international standards hence ensuring quality service. The laboratory serves private clients as well as those referred from courts. We aim at making the services accessible and affordable to all," reads part of the information.

KEMRI provides DNA testing services in the areas of paternity testing and family relationship testing. It also offers training on DNA testing as a way of contributing towards capacity building both locally and regionally.

The DNA tests can be both for legal or personal knowledge and the type of test chosen depends on what one intends to use the DNA test for. It is worth caution that any DNA testing done without a court order or consent is illegal, exposing one to a lawsuit.

When the original testing is out of reach price-wise to many Kenyans, the alternative is the home DNA testing kits, which individuals can easily and affordably determine the father of a child, without the need for more invasive and expensive methods and to provide peace of mind to parents and children, especially when the paternity of a child is in question.

Home DNA testing kits however carry their disadvantages, which include the accuracy of the results likely being not as high as those obtained through more elaborate DNA testing methods. Additionally, the privacy and security of the results may be compromised if the kits are not handled properly or if the samples are contaminated.

In 2023, DNA home test kits costing Ksh800 hit the Kenyan market sparking a debate on how accurate and safe they were. The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) even cautioned Kenyans against using them, stating that they had not been authorised to be sold in Kenya.

Despite convenience being the main advantage of such DNA testing kits where individuals can obtain samples with simple methods, experts argue that the vast amount of information in DNA cannot allow for collection without consent.

Furthermore, home DNA testing kits are not medical diagnostic tools, and the results should be treated as informative and not conclusive. Doctors thus advise that the results of home DNA testing should not be used to make legal or medical decisions or to self-diagnose any medical condition.

Image of a strand of DNA. /X

This is why the Kenya Coast Guard Service (KCGS) on Monday, December 23 issued safety guidelines to anyone who either hasn't or has already travelled to the coast this festive season, mainly concerning the beaches.

To begin with, the Coast Guard urged vacationers to prioritise their safety while enjoying the waters by wearing life jackets when participating in all water activities.

Assuring visitors of their safety on the beaches, the KCGS informed tourists of their presence at the beaches for safety patrols. "Follow all safety guidelines and report any suspicious activities. Let's make this a safe and enjoyable holiday for everyone!" stated the Coast Guard on X.

A Kenya Coast Guard officer on patrol duties. /KENYA COAST GUARD SERVICE

Travellers were also asked to monitor weather updates and avoid overloaded boats, even though the Coast Guard will be available to assist in case of emergencies as they have fun and stay on the alert.

"KCGS has implemented strict safety measures to protect all revellers. Always inform someone of your plans and stay within designated areas especially along the public beaches. Enjoy the waters safely!" added KCGS.

The Coast Guard was established under the Kenya Coast Guard Service Act, 2018 by former President Uhuru Kenyatta. It is tasked with enforcing law and order in Kenya's territorial waters and is mandated to protect Kenya’s territorial waters and exclusive economic zone from exploitation and illegal invasion.

The exclusive economic zone refers to the area stretching 200 Nautical miles beyond Kenya’s territorial sea.

KCGS also ensures that all vessels within their jurisdiction have the required licenses for their operations. It is worth noting that the Coast Guard Service is not part of the Navy.

This directive comes at a time when many Kenyans are expected to be travelling for the holidays, with some taking their vacation at the coast. The government has been pulling out all the stops through the relevant authorities to ensure that Kenyans enjoy their break.

Kenyan Coast Tourist Attraction In a Nutshell

Meanwhile, the Coast offers several attraction options, starting with Mombasa, a fun-filled holiday on Kenya’s coast. Known as County 001, it has undergone major beautification and upgrading (highways, roads and pavements).

It is the hub of tourist activity and remains a favourite with local tourists. Destinations include exploring the north coast beaches, which include Nyali, Shanzu, Bamburi and Mama Ngina Water Front. Other places to explore include the Old Town, Fort Jesus, Mamba Village, Haller Park, Lamu Archipelago, Malindi and Kilifi. The list of activities is only limited by your imagination and creativity.

Other great coastal destinations include Kilifi, home to Malindi, Watamu and Diani, great holiday destinations. For Watamu, a trip to this destination could start with relaxation on the beach and a traditional Swahili dinner. Here you will discover turtle conservation, ancient ruins and lively markets, followed by a morning boat safari, nature walks and other activities.

Kilifi is also home to the mysterious Gedi Ruins, an ancient Swahili village that flourished in the 14th century but whose origins remain a mystery.

There are more than a dozen other historical sites and ruins to visit, as well as great activities such as surfing, snorkelling swimming with the dolphins, canoeing and great dhow sails.

Aerial view of a beach in Diani. /BOOKING.COM

In a statement released on Monday, December 23, Health Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muthoni called on all Kenyans to embrace safety measures that will safeguard their health and well-being during this celebratory period. "This is a time to connect with loved ones, but it is also essential to remain vigilant against potential risks to ensure a safe and joyous season for everyone," she stated in part.

To maintain food safety and hygiene, the Ministry deemed it crucial to observe strict cleanliness when preparing meals. This means washing hands frequently with soap and running water, and ensuring all food is cooked thoroughly and served hot.

Kenyans were further urged to refrigerate leftovers promptly and reheat them properly before consuming and to avoid eating meat that has not been inspected by certified officers or sourced from dead animals. Furthermore, you are asked to keep raw and cooked foods separate to prevent contamination and use clean, treated, or boiled water for cooking and drinking.

Health PS Mary Muthoni speaking while chairing the National Taskforce on Mpox and Marburg Virus Disease on October 31, 2024. /MINISTRY OF HEALTH

The Ministry also touched on the importance of road safety as a shared responsibility during the holidays, calling on Kenyans to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol, ensure their vehicles are roadworthy, and take regular breaks on long journeys to prevent fatigue.

"Always wear seatbelts, and ensure children are secured in appropriate car seats. Observe traffic regulations, maintain safe speeds, and prioritize the safety of other road users. Planning routes in advance can also help avoid traffic congestion," added the statement.

The government also advised on heightened personal safety and security during public gatherings, with Kenyans asked to stay alert in crowded areas and keep their belongings secure. Emergency contacts should be easily accessible, and fireworks should be handled responsibly, with children supervised at all times.

At any hosted events, Kenyans were urged to ensure proper sanitary facilities, including handwashing stations and latrines. Those with ongoing medical needs, such as diabetes, HIV, or TB, should carry adequate medication to last throughout the holiday period.

To prevent the spread of diseases, Kenyans were also urged to stay hydrated and protect themselves from extreme weather conditions. "Practice respiratory hygiene by covering your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing, and wear masks in crowded indoor spaces if necessary," added the statement.

"Sleep under treated mosquito nets to avoid malaria, and practice safe sex or abstain altogether. If you feel unwell, seek medical attention promptly."

Muthoni further outlined the importance of mental health and wellness during the festivities, and Kenyans have been recommended to balance their social commitments to avoid stress and ensure they get sufficient rest, with at least eight hours of sleep daily.

You have also been asked to stay physically active and avoid excessive alcohol consumption or smoking. Respect others' choices regarding alcohol, and stay connected with family and friends to nurture emotional well-being.

Finally, the Ministry emphasized the importance of water safety for those planning activities near water bodies.

"Always supervise children around pools, rivers, or beaches, and avoid swimming alone or under the influence of alcohol. Check weather conditions before engaging in water activities, and use appropriate safety equipment to reduce risks," added the statement.

A photo of Chirstmas decorations inside Thika Road Mall (TRM). /MY AFRICANA

"We are taking a stand against the environmental harm caused by single-use plastics, a major issue that affects ecosystems around the world.

"Our hotel is committed to offering guests an eco-conscious holiday experience that aligns with both Accor's global sustainability goals and its own responsibility towards reducing waste," commented Thomas Simonnet; General Manager in Ibis Styles Nairobi.

The Wooden Christmas Tree: A Symbol of Sustainability

The decision to create a wooden Christmas tree marks a shift away from traditional plastic-based decorations, reflecting the hotel's dedication to using renewable and eco-friendly materials. Crafted entirely from locally sourced wood, the tree serves not only as a beautiful holiday centrepiece but also as a statement of commitment to minimizing the environmental footprint during the festive season.

This unique tree embodies the spirit of sustainability, with each ornament designed from natural materials such as recycled wood - biodegradable and eco-friendly. The initiative also supports local artisans and communities, reinforcing the hotel's dedication to sustainable development. 

Thomas Simonnet; General Manager in Ibis Styles Nairobi. /HANDOUT

Reducing Plastic, Protecting the Planet

As part of Accor’s broader commitment to sustainability, ibis Styles Nairobi has undertaken several initiatives aimed at eliminating single-use plastics across guest-facing areas. From replacing plastic water bottles with reusable glass containers to eliminating plastic straws and cutlery, and 100% eco-friendly Very ibis Panini menu at the restaurant making significant strides toward reducing its environmental impact.

“We are thrilled to showcase this wooden Christmas tree as a reflection of our commitment to the environment,” added Simonnet.

“As part of the Accor group, we believe that every small action counts in the fight against plastic pollution. This festive season, we hope to inspire both our guests and staff to continue supporting sustainability in all aspects of their lives.” 

But with adventure comes risk. Here’s how travellers can ensure a safe and worry-free experience, with services like Rescue.co ensuring emergencies are covered.

1. Be Prepared for Emergencies in Remote Areas

Africa’s natural beauty often means venturing into rugged terrains like Mount Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro, or the Maasai Mara. Prepare for unexpected situations such as altitude sickness or injuries by having a solid emergency plan in place.

Rescue.co’s Safe Travels provides quick access to air and ground evacuations for emergencies in remote locations.

2. Ensure Quick Access to Air Evacuations

Emergencies in safari parks or mountainous regions can require specialized medevac services. With Rescue.co’s fleet of 67 fixed-wing and seven rotary aircraft strategically placed near popular destinations, you can count on response times of under an hour, ensuring swift life-saving assistance.

Rescue.co team walking to a helicopter. /HANDOUT

3. Don’t Rely Solely on Travel Insurance

Many travellers assume their insurance covers emergency rescues. In reality, most policies begin coverage only after reaching a hospital. Rescue.co bridges this gap by providing immediate assistance, ensuring peace of mind during high-risk activities.

4. Prepare for Roadside Emergencies

Breakdowns can happen anywhere, from bustling urban centres to remote highways. Rescue.co offers comprehensive roadside assistance, including towing, fuel delivery, and vehicle support, with average response times of just 25 minutes across Kenya.

5. Leverage Technology for Emergency Coordination

In countries where public emergency response systems are limited, Rescue.co’s Flare platform connects travellers with a vast network of responders. This includes ambulances, air medevac teams, and security support, ensuring swift and efficient action through its real-time Smart Dispatch System.

6. Choose Membership Plans That Fit Your Adventure

Rescue.co offers flexible membership plans to fit every type of traveller. Options range from Kenya-specific coverage to continent-wide plans, ensuring that both domestic and international travellers can explore Africa confidently.

7. Have a Plan for High-Risk Activities

Adventure tourism often involves risks, whether hiking, climbing, or navigating wilderness trails. Rescue.co provides tailored emergency response services for high-risk scenarios, ensuring that you can enjoy Africa’s breathtaking beauty with expert help just a call away.

Pro Tip: Adventure Confidently with Rescue.co

Safety should never be an afterthought. Whether it’s ground support, air evacuations, or security assistance, Rescue.co’s Safe Travels ensures you can focus on making memories while knowing help is always within reach.

By taking these precautions—and having Rescue.co by your side—you can embrace Africa’s adventure destinations worry-free.

Known for its vibrant ambience and exceptional service, the hotel is inviting guests to indulge in a unique dining experience with its newly launched festive menu, tailored to bring warmth, joy, and flavour to your celebrations.

Festive Menu Highlights

The specially curated festive menu features an exciting blend of seasonal favourites and international delicacies, designed to cater to a variety of tastes and dietary preferences.

From mouthwatering starters to indulgent mains and decadent desserts, the offerings are crafted using the finest ingredients to deliver a stylish dining experience.

ibis Styles Nairobi Launches Festive Menu with Various Packages for the Holiday Season. /HANDOUT

Whether you’re craving classic festive dishes or prefer a more contemporary twist with vegan and gluten-free options, there’s something for everyone. Specially crafted beverages, including signature holiday cocktails, are also available to complement your meal and add that extra touch of festivity.

Festive Packages to Suit Every Need

IBIS Styles Nairobi has also designed exclusive festive packages to suit different needs, making it the perfect venue for both intimate family gatherings and larger celebrations such as end-year corporate parties, graduation parties, baby showers and so on.

These packages include options for private dining, buffet spreads, and even take-away meals, ensuring that guests can enjoy a festive feast whether dining in or from the comfort of their homes. 

For those looking to celebrate in style, the hotel is offering bespoke event packages that include everything from themed decorations and entertainment to personalized service.

Whether it's a corporate party, a Christmas family buffet, or a New Year’s Eve celebration, ibis Styles Nairobi guarantees an unforgettable festive experience.

ibis Styles Nairobi Launches Festive Menu with Various Packages for the Holiday Season. /HANDOUT

According to the Africa Visa Openness Index (AVOI) 2024, Kenya was ranked position 46 out of 54 with a score of 0.113 alongside Algeria and Cameroon, with the Index further stipulating visa requirements for visitors from Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.

A visa is required when travelling from the remaining 47 African countries to Kenya. The country, despite falling behind East African neighbours Uganda and Tanzania, did beat Egypt, South Sudan, Eritrea, Equatorial Guinea, Libya and Sudan.

Comparatively, Uganda was ranked 26th with a score of 0.396 while Tanzania was ranked 20th with a score of 0.706.

A ranking of Africa Visa Openness 2024. /AVOI

Visa openness refers to the ease with which visitors are authorized to enter their country of destination.

A more visa-open country has a liberal or relaxed visa policy for visitors, meaning that visitors either do not need a visa to enter its territory or can obtain a visa upon arrival.

A more visa-restrictive country requires visitors to obtain a visa before they travel. Visitors might obtain the visa from an embassy, a consulate, or another source.

President William Ruto on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, announced that Kenya was gravitating towards a visa-free regime, a historic directive in the country's 60-year history.

"It is with great pleasure, as President of this extraordinary country, to make a historic announcement of the decision of the Government of Kenya. Beginning in January 2024, Kenya will be a visa-free country. It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya.

"To echo the call of the Turkana people to the world: “Tobong’u Lorre!” Kenya has a simple message to humanity: Welcome Home! This is why, the Government has abolished the requirement of visas for all our visitors," Ruto announced while addressing the nation during the 60th Jamhuri Day celebrations.

The Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) was launched in place of the visas, which will instead be used to facilitate entry into the country for foreign travellers.

The ETA fee is currently capped at Ksh4,653.65 ($30) compared to the visa fee which was Ksh7,756.08 ($50). 

ETA is intended to harmonise these charges across the board while granting automatic priority to nationals from the countries that were previously eligible for visa-free entry.

Melania appeared on the cover of the magazine for the February 2005 issue, where she was photographed wearing her wedding dress. One month earlier, she married former US President Donald Trump at a ceremony in Palm Beach, Florida.

Born in April 1970 in Yugoslavia, Melania started modelling at age 16. She relocated to the US in 1996 and met Donald Trump at a fashion show in 1998. They started dating a year later.

In the year, 2000, Melania support her then-boyfriend, Trump during his first candidacy for president. In 2001, she received a green card that granted her permanent residency in America.

First Lady Melania Trump tours the site of the Giza Pyramids on Saturday, October 6, 2018, in Cairo, Egypt. /VOGUE MAGAZINE

Melania is a mother of one, an 18-year-old teen son with whom she welcomed in 2006 with Donald Trump. Baron Trump is currently a first-year university student at New York University.

During a talk with former Fox News journalist Megyn Kelly on The Megyn Kelly Show, Trump commented on his wife when asked about her absence from the 2024 campaign trail.

"She's doing very well. She's a very good woman," he said. "As you know, she was a very popular first lady. I mean, I go out to rallies and they have pictures of Melania with 'We love our first lady' with so many posters."

In responding to the former president, Kelly questioned how Biden's White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre could be featured in the magazine but not Melania Trump during the ex-first lady's time at the White House.

"Do you believe they never put her on Vogue, on the cover of Vogue? And they just they just let Karine Jean-Pierre in there?" Kelly posed.

Unlike her predecessor, Michelle Obama and other previous holders of the title, the former president also questioned the lack of a Vogue cover for Melania Trump, a former model, when she was in Washington, DC as the First Lady of the USA.

"Can you believe it? Can you believe it? She was on the cover of Vogue before she met me," the former president exclaimed, adding. "But once I said I'm running for president, that was, that was the end of the cover."

"And it's so sad. But she doesn't care," he continued. "She's been on the cover of the magazines for a long time, and she was on the cover of Vogue before. And she was very friendly with Vogue's top editor, Anna Wintour. But once I ran for politics, that was the end of that. And that's OK."

In May 2022, Melania accused the magazine of bias after first lady Jill Biden appeared on the August 2021 cover, just months after moving into the White House. Since then, Dr. Jill, the outgoing title holder, has appeared twice in her four-year stint as the hostess of the White House.

"They're biased and they have likes and dislikes, and it's so obvious," she told Fox Nation in one of her first interviews after leaving the White House, adding "And I think American people and everyone sees it. It was their decision, and I have much more important things to do — and I did in the White House — than being on the cover of Vogue."

This begs the question, what is Melania Trump known for other than her not-so-successful modelling career and a one-term, stay-at-home First Lady of polarized America (2017-2021)? Her 'be best' initiative didn't win the hearts of Americans. It flopped on arrival. 

Her 2018 image-repair tour of Africa only added salt to the wound. Amidst political turmoil in the US, Melania embarked on her first solo official trip, where she visited Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, and Egypt in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development, with a specific focus on implementing programs for children in developing countries. 

During her much-photographed visit to Kenya, Viral Tea couldn’t help but notice that her chosen attire had some pretty strange undertones, leaning heavily on “safari” attire many called stereotypical, and even donning an optic-white pith helmet for a Safari tour in Kenya, either blithely unaware of or choosing to ignore that head covering’s colonialist history.

Pith helmets – so-called because they are made of the material shola pith – were worn by European explorers and imperial administrators in Africa, parts of Asia and the Middle East in the 19th century before being adopted by military officers, rapidly becoming a symbol of status – and oppression.

Melania Trump wearing a pith helmet at Nairobi National Park on October 5, 2018. /GETTY IMAGES

And then when she touched down in Egypt in October 2018, many couldn’t help but notice her choice of ensemble for the appearance—a cream suit, white button-up, black tie, and matching fedora hat, seemed similarly drawn from 'Out of Africa', which is a film based on a book set in 1937. 

Netizens quickly drew up clever comparisons, some recalling the outfits worn by Michael Jackson in “Smooth Criminal,” Dr. René Belloq in Indiana Jones, and even the resort casual wear worn by the villainous Dr. Hannibal Lecter.

On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, Melania's revelation that her forthcoming memoir included a full-throated defence of abortion rights, an issue her husband Trump repeatedly flip-flopped on during his presidential campaign, and which left people on both sides of the issue less than impressed.

“Restricting a woman’s right to choose whether to terminate an unwanted pregnancy is the same as denying her control over her own body,” Melania wrote in her memoir. “I have carried this belief with me throughout my entire adult life.”

Melania also defended the right to abortion later on in pregnancy – a procedure that her husband has repeatedly demonized. Less than one per cent of abortions occur at or past 21 weeks of gestation.

“Sadly for the women across America, Mrs Trump’s husband firmly disagrees with her and is the reason that more than one in three American women live under a Trump abortion ban that threatens their health, their freedom and their lives,” a campaign spokesperson for Vice President Kamala Harris, Sarafina Chitika, said.

In a statement, Health Principal Secretary (PS) Mary Muthoni Muriuki, while expressing deep concern on the report of Wambui's passing, revealed that the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) initiated the probe to thoroughly examine the circumstances leading to the incident. 

Muthoni added that the Ministry, through the State Department for Professional Standards, reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a skilled health workforce equipped with the competencies necessary for delivering high-quality care.

According to her, robust frameworks are in place to regulate healthcare services, uphold ethical standards, protect consumers, and foster public trust in health services.

"To safeguard public health, we encourage citizens to verify the credentials of healthcare providers and facilities. Please confirm the status of medical practitioners by sending a free SMS to 20547 using the format: P#Doctor's Name, or to check a hospital, H#Hospital Name," Muthoni stated.

The academy, a first of its kind in Kenya, will provide aspiring hairstylists with a comprehensive education encompassing the latest techniques, industry trends, digital skills, and business management. Accredited by TVET, the Lintons Hair Academy by L'Oréal will equip graduates with internationally recognized certifications, paving the way for successful careers both locally and globally.

"At L'Oréal, we believe in the power of beauty to change lives. With the Lintons Hair Academy, we are not just shaping hairstyles, we are shaping futures," said Grace Mbugua from Business Leader L'Oréal.

“Our goal is to empower the next generation of hairstylists in Kenya. This academy offers more than just education; it offers an opportunity for young women from disadvantaged backgrounds to rise.”

A Commitment to Education, Empowerment, and Community

Lintons Hair Academy goes beyond traditional education, focusing on a comprehensive approach to learning that sets students up for success in the modern world. With a strong emphasis on high-quality education, the curriculum is led by experienced industry professionals who skillfully blend the artistry of hairdressing with cutting-edge techniques and the latest technology.

Students will have access to state-of-the-art facilities, where they can sharpen their skills in a dynamic learning environment equipped with the most advanced tools and resources. This ensures they are fully prepared to meet the evolving demands of the industry.

The Academy also leverages L'Oréal’s vast network to provide students with invaluable industry connections, including mentorship opportunities, internships, and job placement support, helping to bridge the gap between education and professional success.

Furthering its commitment to community empowerment, the L'Oréal Foundation will offer scholarships to talented young women from disadvantaged backgrounds, empowering them through education and entrepreneurship to transform their lives and build brighter futures.

“This partnership with L’Oréal represents a shared vision for elevating the hairdressing profession in Kenya,” said Dr Joyce Gikunda. “This academy is a testament to our commitment to empowering the next generation of Kenyan hairstylists, providing them with the skills, knowledge, and support they need to thrive in this dynamic industry.”

The Kenyan beauty industry, which includes salons, is estimated to be worth approximately Sh100 billion according to the Kenya Bureau of Statistics, and it contributes significantly to the national economy.

Lack of proper skills has been a key factor in youth unemployment, with over 3.5 million young people between the ages of 18 and 34 struggling to find gainful employment. Lintons Hair Academy aims to address this gap by providing quality training, ensuring learners are industry-ready.

The academy is equipped with modern facilities and provides training from experienced professionals, ensuring high standards of education. With strong ties to top salons, students also benefit from valuable placement opportunities, gaining practical experience that enhances their career prospects.

The launch of the Lintons Hair Academy by L’Oréal underscores the company’s commitment to Kenya, fostering economic growth, and empowering local communities through education and entrepreneurship.

This is according to a recent study by Public Desire, which analyzes data on the fashion industry across several countries to find the most unexpected countries emerging as fashion hotspots. 

The study used metrics such as the number of major fashion events, the availability of top fashion schools, Instagram hashtags related to fashion, Google searches about the fashion industry, the number of fashion brand headquarters with valuations over $100 million (Ksh12.9 billion), and the availability of fashion-related jobs.

Kenya came in position 10, hosting 1,825 major fashion events and generating a massive 701,000 Instagram hashtags, the highest among the analyzed countries. No other East African country made it to the top 10 list.

Supermodel Naomi Campbell walking in the Kenneth Ize show, she stunned in a dress that bore the Kenyan flag colors. /GETTY IMAGES

Public Desire noted that the East African country's growing presence in fashion events and social media makes the hub an emerging hotspot in the global fashion market.

West Africa’s Nigeria made it to the coveted list, ranking above Kenya at position nine and wielding the second-highest number of Instagram hashtags.

The country is home to one fashion brand headquarters and has a growing job market in the fashion industry. Nigeria's vibrant online fashion community mirrors its emerging market potential.

China topped the list as an emerging fashion powerhouse. The country is growing as a major fashion hub, with 2,789 major fashion events yearly and the highest number of fashion schools (100). Additionally, China is home to nine fashion brand headquarters valued at over $100 million, the highest number on the list. 

Brazil ranked second, showcasing a strong public interest in fashion, with 270,000 Instagram hashtags related to fashion and a high number of fashion-related job opportunities (19,700). The country also hosts six major fashion brand headquarters, making Brazil an influential country in the global fashion market.

"Australia ranks third, hosting 2,738 major fashion events and offering the highest number of fashion-related jobs (37,400) among the countries on the list. It has a strong engagement in the fashion community, which is reflected by its 173,000 Instagram hashtags related to fashion," Public Desire stated in part.

Turkiye holds the fourth position, hosting 1,388 major fashion events. The emerging hub has a developed educational system with 100+ top-tier fashion schools., three major fashion brand headquarters, and 8,000 Google searches.

Others in the list are The Netherlands ranking fifth, with 2,036 fashion events and 419 available fashion-related jobs, followed by Indonesia with 1,202 fashion events and 286,000 Instagram hashtags. With 23,700 available fashion jobs, Indonesia is steadily emerging as one to watch in the fashion world.

Mexico and South Korea also made it to the list at positions seven and eight, respectively. Mexico stands out with 361,000 Instagram hashtags and 18,400 fashion-related jobs. The country is also home to two major fashion brand headquarters, contributing to its growing influence in the global fashion industry.

South Korea has 629 fashion events and a strong educational presence with 91 fashion schools. With notable Instagram hashtags (10,400) and fashion brand headquarters (2), the country continues to emerge as a key player in the fashion industry.

Kenya is one of the leading apparel exporters in Sub-Saharan Africa, supported by a government that proactively backs the textile industry through policies such as Buy Kenya, Build Kenya.

Her fashion industry has come a long way. In a country where bespoke outfits are offered by tailors, designers have always had stiff competition, not to mention the difficult task of differentiating themselves from the former.

Today, the fashion industry enjoys contributions from first-rate designers, from contemporary to African designs, ready-to-wear to couture lines.

Two women catwalking while wearing unique fashion designs. /THE ELEPHANT

In a statement sent to Viral Tea, the hotel, which offers a contemporary, stylish stay with an emphasis on comfort, sustainability, and local culture, revealed that the temporary closure will be for purposes of renovations.

"ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands is excited to announce the temporary closure of its Sky Bar for renovations starting 1st October 2024," the statement read in part.

The hotel revealed that the initiative aims to align the venue with current market trends and its ongoing rebranding efforts, creating a fresh and modern space featuring an upgraded trendy and stylish design.

ibis however revealed alternatives for customers in terms of dining outlets. "While the Sky Bar undergoes these exciting changes, we invite our patrons to explore our other dining outlets which will remain open and ready to serve."

The Sky Bar at ibis Styles Westlands. /IBIS STYLES

"Enjoy a variety of delicious meals and beverages at Kilele Nyama, Utamu Restaurant and Grab &Go each offering a unique atmosphere and culinary experience," added the statement.

"We appreciate your understanding during this renovation period and look forward to welcoming you back to the revitalized Sky Bar, where unforgettable moments await."

The revamped Sky Bar promises to feature enhanced design elements and an updated menu, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere that reflects the latest in dining and nightlife trends.

ibis expressed its commitment to providing an exceptional experience that exceeds our guests' expectations. "We appreciate your understanding and support during this transition and look forward to unveiling the new Sky Bar soon!" the hotel added.

Located in the heart of Westlands, the hotel provides a convenient base for exploring the city’s attractions and business districts.

Since opening its doors eight years ago, ibis Styles Nairobi has distinguished itself with its distinctive blend of modern comfort and local charm. The hotel's unique brand is defined by its playful design, tailored experiences, and commitment to delivering exceptional value.

Understanding the needs of the modern workforce, the new menu is specifically designed to attract individuals who work from home or wish to enjoy a stylish dining experience during their workday.

The hotel’s inviting atmosphere at Utamu Restaurant & Grab & Go provides the perfect backdrop for a productive day, whether you’re catching up on emails with a coffee in hand or enjoying a stylish VIP lunch between meetings.

With a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients, the new offerings promise a delightful culinary experience that reflects the hotel's commitment to quality and innovation.

Influencers Najma Ali & Shaheed Khan. /HANDOUT

A Culinary Journey

The new menu features a wide range of options:

Paninis: A Flavorful Delight - "Our gourmet Panini’s are grilled to perfection, offering a delicious blend of textures and flavours. Choose from options like our favourite Grin & Grilled, Hamnesia, Flavor Fiesta, Pesto Punchline, and Capresse Comedy all available as a gluten-free option upon request or preference," a press release obtained by Viral Tea reads in part.

Wholesome Salads: Fresh and flavorful designed to be both satisfying and nutritious, perfect for a light meal or a hearty side. 

Wraps: On-the-Go Goodness - "Perfect for a quick bite or a packed lunch, our wraps are both tasty and versatile."

Decadent Desserts: Sweet Finishes - No meal is complete without a sweet treat!

Whether you're craving a quick bite or a stylish meal, Garb & Go at ibis Styles Nairobi has something to satisfy every palate.

Convenient Dining Options

In response to the growing demand for convenient dining solutions, the new menu is not only available at the hotel but also on popular delivery platforms like Uber Eats and Glovo as Grab & Go ibis Styles. 

This allows guests to enjoy the same high-quality meals from the comfort of their homes or offices, making it easier than ever to indulge in a delicious dining experience.

Eco-Friendly Delivery 

For those within a 1km radius of the hotel, the ibis Styles Nairobi Hotel is proud to offer an eco-friendly delivery option. Orders of five or more can be delivered using electric tuk-tuk, reducing the carbon footprint while ensuring your meals arrive fresh and hot.

This initiative reflects the hotel’s commitment to sustainability and its dedication to enhancing the local community. 

The ibis Styles Nairobi Hotel invites everyone to explore the V.I.P. menu and experience the perfect blend of convenience, sustainability, and culinary excellence.

"Whether you're dining in, ordering out, or enjoying the unique delivery service, we look forward to welcoming you to a fresh and exciting dining experience. Come and savour the flavours that Nairobi has to offer, right at your doorstep!" added the statement.

According to a despatch from the first broad-based Cabinet meeting chaired by President William Ruto, the move forms part of a week-long series of activities set to run from September 22 to 29 in honour of the annual event.

As such, and to promote tourism and celebrate the United Nations World Tourism Day, entry to the national parks will be free of charge on Saturday, September 28.

"Cabinet approved the calendar of activities to mark the United Nations World Tourism Day/Week in September 2024. The week-long event, running from 22nd September to 29th, will include free entry to all parks on 28th September 2024," read the despatch in part.

The move is expected to draw both local and international visitors, strengthening Kenya’s position as a leading tourist destination.

It is worth noting that the last time access to all national parks in the country was made free of charge was during Jamhuri Day on December 12, 2023, which allowed Kenyans to enjoy the pristine wildlife and nature in all forms as the country marked 60 years since gaining independence.

"Kenya boasts breathtaking landscapes, from vast savannahs to pristine beaches and majestic mountains, showcasing the country’s unparalleled beauty. Our rich flora and fauna stand as a testament to our national pride and conservation efforts, inviting visitors to revel in these natural wonders.

"In commemorating our 60th year of independence, the Government proudly announces free entry for Kenyan citizens to all national parks and museums on Jamhuri Day, December 12, 2023. This initiative aligns with our collective pride in being Kenyan and our desire for everyone to relish the gifts bestowed upon us by nature," announced Labour Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alfred Mutua during his tenure at the helm of the Ministry of Tourism.

The CS added that the free entry complimentary access encompassed marine parks, the Safari walk, and animal orphanages, from 6 am to 6 pm on that day. According to Mutua, however, proof of identification was to be required for Kenyan citizens such as the ID, a rule that also applied to children accompanying parents or guardians who possessed identification proof.

Kenyans were further asked to ensure that services ran smoothly across the national parks, which was to make work easier for the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

World Tourism Day has been held on September 27 each year since 1980. The date marks the anniversary of adopting the Statutes of the Organisation in 1970, paving the way for establishing UN Tourism five years later.

In Kenya, the Kisumu government won the bid to host this year's Kenya Tourism Week and United Nations World Tourism Day which has been themed “Tourism and Peace”

It celebrates tourism's role in fostering social, political, cultural and economic development. Kisumu will take centre stage as it showcases its rich cultural heritage, stunning landscapes and tourist attractions.

The event will feature peace caravans, environmental conservation, capacity-building, marathon races, charity walks, football matches, beach events, and cultural festivals.

Networking gala dinners, exhibitions, youth-focused programmes and award ceremonies recognising achievements have also been lined up by the organisers.

An elephant at Mt Kenya National Park. /GRAYTON EXPEDITIONS

The festival, which the East African country is banking on to reinforce cultural ties and boost tourism as well as trade and investment opportunities, will see Kenya become the first non-European country to participate in the “Bürgerfest” festival which is scheduled for September 13-14 in Berlin, Germany.

"President Ruto will attend and address this year's prestigious Citizen's Festival, themed "Pamoja - Stronger Together." Kenya has been honoured as the profile partner country, making it the first time a non-European country has been selected to partner with Germany for the festival," State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed in a statement announced.

"This partnership offers a unique platform to showcase Kenya's rich cultural heritage to the German public. Cultural exchange has been the cornerstone of our connection, with institutions like the Goethe-Institut in Nairobi playing a crucial role in promoting German culture in Kenya since 1963."

Photo of the Citizen's Festival in 2023. /PNP.DE

The Citizen's Festival will significantly raise the visibility of Kenyan culture in Germany, fostering greater appreciation and understanding while promoting tourism and cultural exchanges.

In the last financial year, Kenya attracted 81,359 German tourists compared to 66,064 in the previous year marking a 23.2 percent growth, with the festival therefore presenting an opportunity to further grow German tourist arrivals in the country.

Earlier this month, the State Department for Foreign Affairs had confirmed Kenya's co-hosting of the Annual Citizen Festival, noting that the event is hosted by the German Presidency every year to celebrate cultural diversity between the Western European country and a partner nation of their choosing.

In the court's ruling, the duo was also compelled to return all the items that belonged to the politician confiscated by security agencies during a raid conducted in early August.

The vocal businessman listed 36 items including high-end smartphones, laptops, jewellery and cash, all worth over Ksh8.5 million which he claimed were stolen during the raid.

Outside Jimi Wanjigi's Muthaiga home. /FILE

Among those items illegally seized from his premises by authorities included two iPhone 15 Pro Max, one worth Ksh157,000, the price varying on specifications and can go up to Ksh225,000. An iPhone 14 was also listed by Wanjigi, whose market price can go up to Ksh93,500.

Also included are two Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5, one worth up to Ksh217,000, as well as an Apple Laptop, three Apple iPads and a Samsung tablet, whose versions were not identified. Also stated include a DVR HIKVISION Network Video Recorder, with some versions going for up to Ksh33,000, and house communication gadgets.

The seized items, Wanjigi added, included a jewellery collection featuring several high-value pieces comprising Cartier items such as the Hoop Love Earrings in rose gold, valued at Ksh268,320; the Juste Un Clou Ring in yellow gold, valued at Ksh170,280; the Love Ring with three diamonds in yellow gold, valued at Ksh528,900; and two pairs of Pave Diamond Stud Earrings, one in white gold and the other in rose gold, each valued at Ksh1.21 million.

Alcohol enemas refer to the act of introducing alcohol into the rectum and colon via the anus, i.e., as an enema.

This method of alcohol consumption can be dangerous and even deadly because it leads to faster intoxication than drinking since the alcohol is absorbed directly into the bloodstream and bypasses the body's ability to reject the toxin by vomiting.

In a statement sent to Viral Tea, NACADA Chief Executive Officer, Dr Anthony Omerikwa expressed concern about the growing trend among Kenya's youth. 

National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse CEO Anthony Omerikwa during the NACADA strategic plan launch 2023-2027 on June 19, 2024. /PHOTO

"The Authority's attention is drawn to a current media production that has since gone viral, showing alcohol enemas (also called butt chugging or boofing) allegedly adopted by the youth in Kenya. This trend, if indeed factual, poses enormous health concerns and calls for an urgent inquiry by relevant stakeholders," read the statement in part.

The authority added that in contrast to traditional methods of consumption that allow the body to metabolize and regulate the intake, alcohol enemas bypass these natural defences, leading to these risks below:

1. Alcohol Poisoning: This can appear as confusion, vomiting, seizures, slow or irregular breathing, hypothermia or unconsciousness.
2. Rectum or Colon Damage: The direct contact of alcohol with delicate tissues in the rectum could lead to severe health problems. It can also lead to ulcers and rectal bleeding
3. Life-threatening Complications: With the heightened rate of absorption, alcoholic beverages may lead to sudden unconsciousness, respiratory failure, or death in users.
4. Increased risk of infection: Including inflammation and tears in the mucosal lining and hepatitis
5. Lack of control over dosage.
6. Severe dehydration.
7. Impaired judgment, leading to risky behaviour.
8. Alcohol Dependence/Addiction: consumption of alcohol in this manner is more potent and a faster gateway to alcohol use disorder

"We strongly advise all individuals, more so the youth, to desist from such dangerous practices. NACADA maintains that alcohol enemas, as well as any other forms of alcohol and substance abuse, are life-threatening practices that should be avoided," Omerikwa added.

However, NACADA recognised the huge potential of social media as a communication medium that can be used to promote new emerging, unconventional, and harmful ways of substance use.

It therefore called on all stakeholders to positively engage with the youth to avoid the spread of adverse information and consequent adoption of harmful practices.

"The Authority reiterates its commitment to ensuring the health and well-being of all Kenyans by advocating for a sober and healthy country. To report or seek assistance on any alcohol or drug-related challenge please get in touch with us through our TOLL FREE Helpline 1192 available for 24 Hours," added the statement.

The term “butt chugging” became widely known in 2006 following its depiction by Steve-O in the film Jackass Number Two.

However, the practice itself has historical roots dating back thousands of years. Evidence suggests its use in ancient Mayan rituals and its prevalence during various historical periods, including colonial times, the Civil War era, Prohibition, and even during events like Woodstock.

Despite its long history and popularity, the dangers associated with butt-chugging have been increasingly recognized, leading to warnings against its practice and efforts to discourage its use due to the significant health risks involved.

A person holding a glass of an alcoholic drink. /FILE

While appearing for vetting before the National Assembly Committee on Appointments, Miano revealed that she had been briefed about a Tourism Strategy 2021/2025 that was formulated with the participation of all stakeholders.

This is after she met Ministry of Tourism officials and the Narok County Government, which briefed her on the reasons behind the hike in entry fees, before her vetting.

The county government had confirmed that the Masai Mara Park Fees for 2024 were increased to USD 100 per non-resident adult per day from January 1, 2024, to June 30, 2024, and USD 200 per non-resident adult per day, from July 1, 2024, onwards, broken down as follows:

“As I was preparing to appear before this Committee, I did meet with ministry officials, and the sector and discussed with Narok County, and I want to share with you the information that I gathered. There was a strategy, Tourism Strategy 2021/2025, that was formulated with the participation of all stakeholders.

“Some of the findings in that strategy is that there are things that needed to be done to make Maasai Mara more competitive, and one of the proposals that I will discuss is that the rates for Maasai Mara had not been increased for the last 15 years despite the cost of managing the parks and many other costs,” Miano stated.

She further pointed out that the stakeholders had proposed reviewing the rates, to help generate more finances.

“The Stakeholders in that strategic meeting did recommend a review of the rates that are applicable so that there are enough finances to develop Maasai Mara, maintain it and modernise it,” she added, further noting that the revised rates were to be implemented from January 2024.

Other than the hiked fees, a 12 (twelve) hour ticket validity was effected. Some of the points to note were that guests staying outside the reserve were to be required to pay a daily entry fee wherein the ticket would be valid from 6 am to 6 pm.

"Secondly, all guests departing from the Reserve by road should exit the reserve no later than 10 am. Exit beyond this time will attract an additional entry fee," read the directive on the website.

Meanwhile, Kenyan adults touring the area continued to pay the Ksh3,000 entry fee whereas children and students had the entry fee set at Ksh1,000. Local residents (from Narok County) have their rates set at Ksh2,000 for adults and Ksh500 for children above 10 years.

In response, some tourists turned to Serengeti National Park in Tanzania which offered different fees designed to be competitive while also supporting conservation and community projects. 

In a series of posts on social media, KR revealed that the wagon will have a new seating arrangement whereby passengers will no longer sit facing each other, as has been the case with previous economy-class wagons.

The new Economy class stands out for several features designed to enhance passenger comfort.

Interior of the new economy class SGR trains unveiled on July 22, 2024. /KENYA RAILWAYS

"Instead, the 3 by 2 seating arrangement across the width of the coach will have passengers facing either the departing station or the destination station," Kenya Railways explained.

The new seating arrangement aims to bring about more privacy among passengers and reduce unnecessary interactions over the course of inter-county trips.

The refreshed economy class also sees the introduction of features such as charging ports which each passenger will be able to access during the journey.

There will also be foldout trays that can be used when eating or when working on a laptop.

"Other features include charging ports for each passenger; a baby-changing area for freshening up babies during the journey; foldout tray tables and pocket seats for placing small items," added KR.

Read more: Inside New SGR Premium Coaches Charging Ksh12,000 Per Trip [PHOTOS]

Collage photo of Transport PS Mohamed Daghar inside the new premium Standard Gauge Railway coaches in Port Reitz Mombasa County. /KENYA RAILWAYS

The coach is part of four premium coaches for the Madaraka Express in a bid to improve the passenger experience on the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) trains between the port city of Mombasa and the capital, Nairobi.

KR confirmed the arrival of the new coaches alongside four first class, 10 economy, one dining and one power car.

Features

The premium coaches have been designed with luxury and comfort in mind, giving passengers access to unique features such as reclining seats, among space and entertainment options on offer in its special list of options.

Collage photo of Transport PS Mohamed Daghar inside the new premium Standard Gauge Railway coaches in Port Reitz Mombasa County. /KENYA RAILWAYS

“The much-awaited Premium Class coaches are here. The four Premium coaches are among a batch of ten economy-class coaches, one dining car, one power car and four first-class coaches. The offloading is taking place at the Port of Mombasa,” KR posted on X.

“KR Premium is set to redefine luxury travel with exclusive amenities and world-class comfort."

The premium class on Kenya Railways provides fully reclining seats that double as beds for passengers, a similar feature common in passenger and privately chartered aircraft. Additionally, the coaches have enough legroom and space for the passengers travelling in the premium class.

The seat is well-padded and upholstered in high-quality material, with a combination of leather and fabric. It has a headrest and ample cushioning, providing comfort for long journeys.

Unlike the normal wagons, each wagon will have 28 seats to provide sufficient legroom.

"Fully Reclining seats for your comfort and relaxation. KR Premium is set to redefine luxury travel with exclusive amenities and top-notch comfort," Kenya Railways added.

There is also additional storage space for passengers, including storage space for shoes. Additionally, the configuration of the premium class will allow passengers to face the direction of their choice while travelling.

Kenya Railways is also set to introduce specialised catering services for the premium class services.

"Segregated from other compartments, the premium coach offers privacy and exclusivity, ensuring passengers can work, relax or simply enjoy the beautiful scenery."

"Premium Class passengers will have access to VIP lounges and benefit from priority boarding and disembarkation at terminals, adding to the already existing convenience of their journey," Kenya Railways stated.

Transport Principal Secretary Mohamed Daghar visited the Port Reitz terminal to inspect the new coaches, in the company of other government officials in the transport industry including Kenya Ports Authority Managing Director Captain William Ruto, Kenya Railways Chairman Abdi Duale and Managing Director Philip Mainga.

The prices of the tickets for the Premium experience are anticipated to be the highest of any train trip within Kenya, surpassing the cost of some airline tickets which allow one to travel on the same route between Mombasa and Nairobi, though at a shorter timeframe of 45 minutes to one hour.

At the moment, tickets from Nairobi to Mombasa cost Ksh1,500 for the economy class and Ksh4,500 for those who opt for the first class category.

A view of the newly-acquired Madaraka Express Passenger Service Coaches. /KENYA RAILWAYS

This is according to proposals contained in the Nairobi City County Animal Control and Welfare Bill 2024 introduced in the Nairobi City County Assembly which addresses various aspects of animal care, control, and welfare, aiming to create a harmonious coexistence between residents and animals.

Located in the heart of Westlands, it provides a convenient base for exploring the city’s attractions and business districts.

This year, ibis Styles Nairobi, the best-known economy hotel brand, celebrates its 8th anniversary, established on three core promises: affordability, innovation and quality. 

Democratising travel and hospitality, ibis brand was the first hotel brand to make high-quality, comfortable night's stay accessible to all. 

ibis Styles Nairobi, renowned for its vibrant and stylish approach to hospitality, proudly celebrates its 8th anniversary today. As a token of gratitude to both local clients and international guests, the hotel is unveiling a series of exclusive offers and events to mark this significant milestone.

Thomas Simonnet, General Manager ibis Styles Nairobi. /PHOTO

Since opening its doors eight years ago, ibis Styles Nairobi has distinguished itself with its distinctive blend of modern comfort and local charm. The hotel's unique brand is defined by its playful design, tailored experiences, and commitment to delivering exceptional value.

Each stay promises an immersive journey into Nairobi's dynamic culture, all while enjoying the convenience of a contemporary, eco-friendly environment.

The ibis Styles Nairobi experience is characterized by its vibrant décor, personalized service, and innovative approach to hospitality. The hotel’s design integrates local artistic elements, creating a space that feels both contemporary and authentically Kenyan.

Guests can enjoy modern amenities, a 24-hour business centre, and a relaxed atmosphere perfect for both leisure and business travellers.

"We are thrilled to celebrate eight years of delivering exceptional hospitality in Nairobi," said Thomas Simonnet, General Manager of ibis Styles Nairobi.

"Our anniversary offers are a way to thank our loyal guests and welcome new visitors to experience the unique charm that defines our brand."

Whether you're a local resident looking for a staycation or a global traveller exploring Nairobi, ibis Styles Nairobi invites you to join in the celebration.

Features

Soft opened in March 2023 in Westlands, just 5km from the Central Business District, this elegant hybrid property offers 100 spacious hotel rooms and suites designed for short-term and extended stays.

These include a variety of tastefully furnished Deluxe rooms, Junior suites, and One-Bedroom suites, all providing breathtaking views of the city. 

The property’s wide range of facilities includes versatile meeting and event spaces, a state-of-the-art fitness centre, a heated swimming pool, and exquisite dining options showcasing local and international cuisines.

CS Alfred Mutua and General Manager of Dusit Princess Lionel Formento at the grand opening of the Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi on June 11, 2024. /HANDOUT

A standout feature is the birdcage-themed Aviary Rooftop Cocktail Lounge, featuring innovative and classic cocktails, delectable Thai-inspired bites, and panoramic views of Nairobi’s skyline. 

Alongside showcasing the hotel’s various facilities, the grand opening event also highlighted Dusit’s unique blend of Thai-inspired gracious hospitality and local service traditions, and the company’s commitment to contributing positively to Kenya’s tourism industry and its economic growth by attracting international visitors and creating meaningful and memorable experiences for guests, residents, and locals alike.

“We are committed to being a vibrant part of the Nairobi community, fostering connections, and creating a lasting positive impact,” said Lionel Formento, General Manager, Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi.

“Through local partnerships, cultural initiatives, and environmental responsibility, we aim to enrich the lives of all those we collaborate with, leaving a legacy far beyond a comfortable stay.”

From L-R: Prateek Kumar Senior VP, Gilles Cretallaz COO, CS Alfred Mutua, Ministry of Tourism, Lionel Formento GM Dusit Princess, Morakot Janemathukorn, Thai Ambassador to Kenya and June Chepkmei CEO KTB at the grand opening of the Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi on June 11, 2024. /HANDOUT

Additionally, he noted that while Dusit D2 was one of the hotels under the Dusit International brand portfolio, it is a different entity from Dusit Princess, adding “We are a newly built hotel in a new location with a different brand concept.’’ 

Guests of honour at the grand opening event included Tourism Cabinet Secretary, Alfred Mutua, June Chepkemei, CEO of the Kenya Tourism Board, and Morakot Janemathukorn, the Thai ambassador to Kenya. 

For more information about Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi, please visit dusit.com/dusitprincess-hotelresidencesnairobi

Actress Catherine Kamau (Kate Actress) and Mike Mwangi at the grand opening of the Dusit Princess Hotel Residences Nairobi on June 11, 2024. /HANDOUT

The petition was uploaded on Change.org, the world's largest online petition platform, on May 10, 2023, and it has garnered over 7,444 signatures out of the required 7,500 by the time of publishing this story.

Speaking to Viral Tea, Awinja, backed by the Nguvu Collective, urged the government to treat Jahmby's tragic death as a wake-up call, and urgently introduce the policy which would present a monumental relief for Kenyan women. 

"Through her tireless advocacy, Njambi Koikai always appealed for timely care to be accorded to women's menstrual health. Her tragic death is a stark reminder of how menstruation cannot be taken lightly. This is a wake-up call for our country.

Photo of Sylvia Awinja. /HANDOUT

"How long will we continue to ignore the crippling pain women face every month and act as if everything is normal?" she posed.

Njambi often disclosed how painful her condition was due to Endometriosis, through her videos, revealing that she went through 21 surgeries to resolve her health issues, a disease she would sadly succumb to.

Similar to Njambi and scores of other women who experience severe menstrual pain, Awinja shared her experiences of excruciating pain during menstruation that cripples her from showing up at work.  

"Even when she was enduring severe pain, Njambi used all her available platforms to raise awareness about menstrual health. It is incredibly pressurising for a working woman to be undergoing pain that numbs her mind and body and yet, performs at her usual pace.

"Many countries have acknowledged paid period leave as a right for women. But what about the menstrual rights of Kenyan women? Kenya should make Paid Period Leave a reality in Njambi Koikai's memory," urged Awinja. 

Awinja in her online petition urged the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Ministry of Labour and Social Protection, and the Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Labour and Social Protection to enact legislation that will mandate all employers in Kenya to grant women employees who are experiencing painful or uncomfortable menstrual symptoms paid three days off work per month. 

As per the petition, periods are a normal occurrence but the pain associated with it has been normalized to the disadvantage of women. 

This natural cycle comes with different levels of discomfort, distress and pain, at times so severe that women can barely perform normal functions like walking, let alone being able to be fully present and concentrate at work.

"Did you know that doctors at University College London who’ve been researching period cramps have finally ruled that these pains are as painful as heart attacks. Expecting us to work under such circumstances is not just inhuman but also a violation of the right to fair treatment in the workplace," it describes in part.

Five countries have made paid period leave a right with Zambia leading Africa. Spain was the latest to join the list. In February it provided women the right to take up to three days off work if they are experiencing period pain.

Awinja expressed her eagerness for Kenya to become the second African country to make paid period leave a reality. Her petition is calling for the National Assembly to enact legislation that will mandate all employers under the Republic of Kenya to:

1. Grant women employees who are experiencing painful or uncomfortable menstrual symptoms paid three days off work per month. 
2. Increase sick leave days and indicate clearly that it includes period-related symptoms

"There is overwhelming evidence that period leaves have a tremendous positive impact on all employees as it indicates the intentions and commitment of the employer to the holistic health and wellbeing of the employees.

"It has also been observed from countries that have implemented paid period leave that it has resulted in reduced stigma and an increase in comfortability and productivity for all staff including those who would not ordinarily experience period pain. Contrary to popular belief, paid period leave will lead to more women joining the workforce and this will boost the economy as well," adds the petition.

Reggae MC Jahmby Koikai (right) with nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba (left). /JAHMBY KOIKAI

The Narok County Government has banned private cars from accessing the iconic Maasai Mara National Game Reserve.

As per a memo issued by Chief Park Administrator, Alex Nabaala dated Monday, June 3, when the directive takes effect, only driving through the game reserve using the specified means will going forward, be banned, adding that only three types of vehicles will be allowed in the major tourist attraction.

“In line with the implementation of the Maasai Mara Management Plan, we have banned the usage of private vehicles for game drives.

"The vehicles that will be used for game drives are only the safari trucks, safari land cruisers and safari vans. Kindly adhere to this strictly,” the document reads.

Tourists using a private vehicle during a safari. /FILE

The directive is expected to take effect immediately as announced by the Chief Administrator. 

Previously the park allowed members of the public to embark on game drives in the parks using their vehicles, especially 4-wheel drives that could navigate the bumpy terrain, in the company of a guide.

The Thursday night event will honour Kenyan President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto with a summertime-themed menu and an elegant setting under the stars.

First Lady Jill Biden previewed the event on Wednesday, highlighting the significance of the occasion and the careful planning involved. “I hope they will be filled with the same warmth that I felt on my visits to Kenya — that of a friendship that will endure, helping create a shining and prosperous tomorrow,” she said.

The dinner will take place in a glass pavilion, allowing guests to dine under the night sky. As they leave, their path will be illuminated by the moon, symbolizing the enduring friendship between the two nations.

Menu items for President William Ruto's state dinner at the White House. /USA TODAY

The menu, crafted by White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford and Pastry Chef Susie Morrison, features classic American summer produce:

First Course

1. Chilled Heirloom Tomato Soup
2. Sourdough Crisps
3. Arbequina Olive Oil

Main Course

1. Fruitwood-Smoked Beef Short Ribs
2. Butter-poached lobster with Citrus Butter
3. Baby Kale and Sweet Corn Purée

Dessert

White Chocolate Basket with Banana Ganache, Raspberries, Peaches, and Candied Lime Zest

Wine

1. Hartford Court Chardonnay “Four Hearts Vineyard” 2021
2. St. Innocent Pinot Noir “Shea Vineyard” 2019
3. Iron Horse Classic Vintage Brut 2020

The Bidens opted for a menu that reflects American summer flavours, a departure from the usual practice of incorporating the guest country's cuisine.

Cookbook author Kiano Moju noted, “There’s not even like a little tickle of cultural call-out,” though she acknowledged that the inclusion of red meat would be appreciated by the Kenyan guests.

In addition to the gourmet meal, the evening will feature performances celebrating the Rutos’ love of gospel and country music. Brad Paisley and the Howard Gospel Choir will provide entertainment, adding a musical highlight to the event.

This state dinner, the sixth of the Biden administration, follows the recent visit of Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. It underscores the Biden administration's commitment to strengthening international ties through such formal events.

The U.S. will also announce $250 million in new investments through the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), expanding its portfolio in Kenya to over $1 billion. This initiative is part of broader discussions between President Biden and President Ruto, which will cover trade, debt relief, and technological cooperation.

As the first sub-Saharan African country to receive the designation of a major non-NATO ally, Kenya’s relationship with the U.S. continues to deepen. The designation highlights the strategic importance of Kenya in U.S. foreign policy, particularly in areas like cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and semiconductors.

The state dinner symbolizes not only a celebration of past partnerships but also a commitment to future cooperation and shared prosperity.

White House Executive Chef Cris Comerford holding meals to be served at President Ruto's state dinner at the White House. /JACQUELYN MARTIN.AP

Knight Frank's 2024 Kenyan edition of the Wealth Report titled A Perspective on Kenya Wealth Investment Trends released on Tuesday, April 30 revealed that High Net-Worth Individuals (HNWI) developed a liking for art to grow their assets.

Other investment areas were cars (57.14 per cent), watches (57.14 per cent), whiskey (42.86 per cent), jewellery(42.86 per cent) and furniture (35.71 per cent).

Additionally, tycoons were opting to splash their money on bags (28.57 per cent), wine (28.57 per cent), diamonds (14.29 per cent) and coins (7.14 per cent).

Image of a designer handbag. /FILE

However, one would ask themselves why these super-rich individuals, including a section of politicians and government officials, opt to spend lavishly on luxury items that are out of reach to their ordinary counterparts. Viral Tea reveals below:

Joy of Ownership

According to the Wealth Report, knowledge is essential in selecting assets, particularly in categories like whisky, classic cars, and art.

The pleasure derived from owning unique and culturally rich assets is evident, with a recognition that the joy of ownership complements the financial aspects of these investments.

Investment

The emphasis on investment as one of the reasons for collecting investments of passion is underscored by the performance analysis of various luxury assets. 

Notably, the discussion highlights fluctuations in the value of luxury assets such as whisky, classic cars, handbags, fine wine, watches, and jewellery. 

The financial aspect of these investments is a central theme, focusing on value appreciation, market corrections, and notable sales contributing to the overarching consideration of investments.

Intellectual Interest

Intellectual interest is the third-ranking factor in clients’ motivations for collecting investments of passion.

"There is a need for knowledge and expertise in making informed decisions, especially in areas like whisky, where understanding the scarcity and undervaluation of certain bottles is crucial. The intellectual engagement with the assets, their history, and market dynamics contributes to the overall appeal of investments of passion," the report reads in part.

Status among Peers

Status among peers is also recognized as a contributing factor, albeit less prominent than the Joy of Ownership and financial aspects.

According to the Classic car guru Dietrich Hatlapa, the retreat in the value of classic cars might be influenced by factors like changes in portfolio allocations and profit-taking.

The discussion hints at the impact of market trends on the perceived status associated with certain investments.

To Belong to a Community

To belong to a community is identified as the smallest factor influencing clients’ motivations for collecting investments of passion.

The sense of belonging to a community is likely associated with shared interests among collectors.

For instance, the hip-hop culture influencing the jewellery market exemplifies how cultural trends and communities can shape preferences within investments of passion.

A man showcasing a piece of jewellery worn by hip hop musicians. /PHOTO

The woman, identified as Maruru, was speaking to Segera during an event at the Ngong Racecourse when she was challenged to introduce herself and open up about what she likes.

Instead of the typical "hi, my name is...and I like ABCD," Maruru opted for a mix of intelligence and wild creativity coupled with the kind of confidence you would expect from an individual who is part and parcel of the Generation Z era.

Her wordplay showcased her passion for philosophy, the study of the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence, especially when considered as an academic discipline.

Here is the video:

Where does this guy get these ladies he interviews?

Interesting characters pic.twitter.com/yFkAG3moOp

— Mtulivu (@Bobbysyoks) April 10, 2024

"My name is Maruru and I'm having a human experience in this vessel but I'm not human.

"I'm a vessel, I'm an instrument of nature man. I'm into philosophy and esoteric knowledge, pre-history and history like I just love humanity," she opened up.

When asked about her views on politics in general, Maruru replied "If you're kind of politically engaged it means you have a heart, you're not a jellyfish," seemingly insinuating that those who follow politics ardently care about change on a national, county and local level, a task in which the government of the day must strive to achieve.

The conversation, captured in a one-minute clip, then shifted to personal finance, to which when asked, Maruru expressed her beliefs in teamwork to come up with wealth, underlining the importance of a good team with good chemistry and game-changing inventions to build a successful business.

Segera challenged her to give her thoughts on what the 'cool people' are up to these days, to which she responded "Astral projection."

Maruru concluded with her message to her peers, urging them to normalise loving themselves and realise the importance of taking care of themselves as they have a 'beautiful vessel' on the inside and outside.

What Is Astral Projection?

Astral projection, according to Dictionary.com, is a supernatural phenomenon in which a person’s astral body is said to separate from the physical body and travel to or in a different plane of existence.

The interview sparked mixed reactions on social media, with most Kenyans taking note of Waruru's intellectual brilliance that would shame even the top legal minds known for some of the English language's heaviest words.

"My hot take Is millennials and Gen Z who turned away from religion are turning to 80s esotericism and mysticism to find meaning in an increasingly uncertain world," wrote Irving Amukasa on X, where the video was shared and which went viral

"She is smart a small % (percentage) of our population understands what she said.

"I won't be surprised if she is into zodiac signs and 'healing' crystals," other comments read.

If anything, this would be an indication of how the older generations in the country will have to adapt to the emerging vocabularies that comprise Gen Z, a generation viewed by many as one seeking to defy social norms in the pursuit of better individuality.

Born between the years of 1997 and 2012, Gen Zs have shaken up the corporate world by introducing their chronically online colloquialisms in the workplace, prompting the uninitiated to surf the web for a definition.

In the US, Google searches for “Gen Z slang” in October 2023 went up by 123 per cent and curiosity about “Gen Z words” increased by 86 per cent, according to data from communication and growth firm Movchan Agency.

“It’s truly amazing how our generation has developed its unique vernacular, incorporating phrases and emojis that have become widely recognized slang around the globe,” the agency’s PR manager, Emily Goldstein, said in a statement.

Some of the popular Gen Z terms that have emerged include slay, it's giving, serve, rizz, delulu, sus, slap, it's sending me among others.

A group of Gen Zs looking at a phone. /EMERGING LEADERS FOUNDATION

Developed by L’Oréal Skincare Laboratories, the Glycolic Bright Serum is formulated with an optimum concentration of 1% Glycolic Acid to reduce five years of dark marks in two weeks, making it the ultimate solution for their skincare needs.

This brightening serum is part of the Glycolic-Bright range, a skincare regime inspired by the science of a peeling procedure. One can now experience skin surface renewal at home, with products that are clinically proven to brighten skin & visibly reduce dark spots.

The range acts on four key dimensions that can inhibit the appearance of bright, glowing skin: dark spots, dullness, unevenness, and roughness.

From left: Yassine Bakkari- L’Oreal,  Country Managing Director-East Africa, Jessie Wamae- Brand Business Lead, L’Oreal Paris East Africa, Victoria Karanja- L’Oreal, General Manager, Consumer Products Division, East Africa, Marvin Gitau- Marketing Assistant, L’Oreal Paris, East Africa at the L'Oreal Paris's Glycolic Bright Range Launch. /HANDOUT

"We are delighted to unveil a skincare solution that not only enhances skin brightness and evens skin tone but also encourages women to embrace their natural beauty. Our commitment to addressing the diverse needs of various skin types remains steadfast, and we are confident that the Glycolic Bright Range will revolutionize the quest for radiant, luminous skin," said Yassine Bakkari, Country Managing Director, L’Oréal East Africa on March 26, 2024.

Dark spots or hyperpigmentation can stem from acne scars, excessive sun exposure, or hormonal changes. When the skin is subjected to excessive sunlight, for instance, melanocytes react by producing an excess of melanin pigments, resulting in brown patches on the skin.

Regardless of their size, dark spots, particularly on the face, can significantly impact one's life, from diminishing confidence to affecting social interactions.

The Glycolic Bright Range is meticulously crafted to cater to all skin types, including sensitive skin, with particular attention to the younger demographic.

The launch of the new range coincides with L’Oréal’s inaugural “Walk Your Worth Event” to commemorate International Women’s Day in Kenya, underscoring the skincare brand's dedication to empowering women in line with its iconic tagline "Because You're Worth it," which inspires women of all ages and backgrounds to believe in their innate beauty and value.

Focusing on Sub-Saharan Africa, where women often grapple with uneven skin tone, the scientifically advanced new range signifies a significant stride towards inclusivity within Africa’s beauty industry.

The Glycolic Bright range is now readily available in cosmetic stores and select online outlets, offering convenience to consumers.

Media personality, Sheila Mwanyigha at the L'Oreal Paris's Glycolic Bright Range Launch. /SHEILA MWANYIGHA

The fourth edition of the Top 100 Most Loved Brands by Women in Kenya was released jointly by Brand Strategy Management (BSD) Group in collaboration with IPSOS Kenya.

The Top 100 MLB by Women Study is the first of its kind to be done in the country and the continent with a focus on insights that inform, empower and enrich understanding of women's markets to unlock growth for businesses and brands.

The top three brands were mostly dominated by financial channels and institutions with mobile money platform M-PESA emerging top ahead of its parent company, Safaricom. Equity Bank came third.

Ranking of the top 10 most-loved brands by Kenyan women in 2024. /VIRAL TEA KE

Brands that followed in the top 10 included Samsung, Ajab, Naivas, Airtel, KCB Bank, Menengai and Apple respectively, indicating a shift in consumer choice and brand preference when compared to 2023’s ranking.

Insights drawn from the study elaborate on how the Kenyan woman drives consumer purchase decisions within her household as the primary shopper.

The study also details key reasons why the Top 100 brands made it to the 4th edition based on data collected and how women's markets contribute to the financial and reputational performance of brands and organisations.

The Study also highlights the reasons behind women’s purchase decisions and therefore points out the need for the utilisation of data-driven business methods and strategies.

The most pressing issue affecting women is the high cost of living which influences daily purchase decision-making.

“The Study provides critical insights and much-needed value to leadership and management in strengthening product and service delivery to a key demographic that has been repeatedly proven to be extremely bankable.

"As we navigate a very volatile market environment, those who invest in this data will be able to access insights that provide a strengthened competitive advantage, reputational equity and opportunity for innovations and disruption,” Eva Muraya, Founder and CEO of BSD Group, said during a ceremony held at a hotel in Nairobi.

IPSOS Kenya Managing Director, Chris Githaiga pointed out that the study sought to bridge the knowledge and insights gap in understanding the female consumer market.

“This is a huge opportunity for most brands that actively seek to engage women as an opportunity for growth since women play a critical role in our economy. They truly control multiple market segments through their influence and purchasing power," he stated.

According to Githaiga, 69 per cent of women play a key role in the purchase of products or services used in their households and on average, 59 per cent of their income goes to household purchases.

"Additionally, the percentage of female-headed households is increasing and can no longer be ignored.

"Our recent studies show that close to 50% of households in Kenya have a woman as the head. Therefore, empowering women impacts the overall economic growth and value creation,” he added.

Women in conversation during the Top 100 Brands Loved by Women event on March 19, 2024. /TOP 100 MOST LOVED BRANDS BY WOMEN

The photo that emerged from a three-day executive retreat in Naivasha, Nakuru County, featuring Ndii alongside President Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saw the advisor's physique being the subject of public scrutiny.

To be specific, Ndii was captured with a protruding belly, leading to netizens flooding social media with speed, and posting comments about his weight.

President William Ruto (second from right), his deputy Rigathi Gachagua (third from left) and economic advisor David Ndii (second from left) engage in discussions during a retreat in Naivasha on February 21, 2024. /PCS

However, the economist hit back at his haters, terming them as 'imbeciles' who were wasting time talking about issues that were of no importance to the general public.

Further, he voiced concerns about how such a topic would trend on social media, questioning the tweeps' Intelligence Quotient (IQ) levels.

"To be overweight is a remediable personal challenge of little or no consequence to the general public. To be empty-headed is an incurable societal burden.

"Ũrimũ ndũrĩ ndawa (stupidity has no cure). To have so many imbeciles with nothing better to talk about on a public platform is a national tragedy," he wrote on X.

The woman took to her Instagram stories claiming she was assaulted by a male patron at the club's grounds during the event.

According to her, the man attempted to remove her undergarments. Meanwhile, the man whom the woman had filmed during the altercation appeared intoxicated when he was cornered by her and another woman, with his colleague appearing to de-escalate the situation.

"He said molestation is a choice...are you consenting to be recorded?" the woman posed as her colleague urged her to keep recording, saying "He is saying it proudly."

Two men stalking a woman at work. /FOTOSEARCH

"We have a sign and entrance that says this is 18 years and over. So once you enter into this space...no, you don't consent to be molested," the man responded as the women kept forcing him to admit he uttered the controversial statement.

"When you walk into this space, you drink alcohol, you're 18 years and over...you can take care of yourself as an adult," he added as he kept denying stating that one consented to be molested.

The altercation sparked uproar on social media platforms with the gravity of the woman's allegations prompting women to stand in solidarity with her.

Others seized the chance to come forward with their accounts of previous encounters with the man. Viral Tea could not independently substantiate the allegations.

In the statement seen by Viral Tea, Nairobi Polo Club affirmed its non-tolerance to any form of misconduct, though revealing that its security detail was not alerted of the incident.

"In response to the recent alleged assault incident at Nairobi Polo Club, we want to emphatically state that the club does not tolerate any form of misconduct by any party. The well-being and safety of our members and visitors are paramount.

"Our security teams were not notified of the incident - however, we have engaged the police and private security teams to address and investigate these allegations," read the statement in part.

Nonetheless, it assured its valued visitors that its primary aim was to create an inclusive and secure environment for everyone attending its events.

"Nairobi Polo Club remains committed to upholding the highest standards of conduct, and we will take appropriate action based on the findings of the ongoing investigation," the club promised.

Another statement was issued by a marketing agency which was also dragged into the allegations after Kenyan netizens accused one of its employees of engaging in behaviour that constitutes sexual harassment of a member of the public.

"We want to assure our employees, clients, the general public and our stakeholders that we are actively investigating this matter in accordance with our company policies and procedures. We are also inviting the relevant lawful agencies to expeditiously investigate the matter and accord the dispensation of justice to the parties involved," read the statement in part.

Founded in 1907 and based in the heart of Nairobi’s heaving metropolis, Nairobi Polo Club is the oldest polo club in East Africa located at Jamhuri Park grounds.

According to its official website, the premises boasts two full-size pitches used for polo tournaments and competitions as well as a well-appointed clubhouse which offers the ambience and venue for corporate hospitality and entertainment.

Known for its vibrant atmosphere and an illustrious list of both playing and social members, the Polo Club also hosts some of the most prestigious events in the playing and social calendar.

Club Facilities

1. Two full-size polo grounds
2. Stabling for 90 horses with additional stables available at Jamhuri show ground
3. Wooden horse/polo pit
4. Stick & ball area
5. Clubhouse with bar and lounge featuring an open fireplace
6. Terrace and grandstand overlooking both polo grounds and the Ngong Hills in the distance
7. Male and female change rooms with showers
8. Polo and riding training for beginners and intermediates and occasional polo clinics
9. Ample parking and space in exceptional proximity to the centre of Nairobi.

Nairobi Polo Club during a past event. /NAIROBI POLO CLUB

Ashleys Kenya, in a detailed media invite announcing the trip and sent to newsrooms, revealed that the departure will be preceded by a brief appearance at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) in Nairobi.

"She will be available for media interactions and well-wishes from 1:30 PM before her check-in at 2:30 PM," read the statement in part dated Thursday, February 15.

The 71st Miss World Festival, taking place in India, is a prestigious event that celebrates female achievement and empowerment.

This year's festival holds special significance as it marks the return of the event to India after a hiatus of 28 years.

According to the invite, Kwamboka expressed her excitement to represent Kenya on the global stage and is looking forward to showcasing the beauty, talent, and grace of the Kenyan people.

"She has been diligently preparing for the competition and is grateful for the support she has received from her fans, sponsors, and the Miss World Kenya organization," added the statement.

The 24-year-old is a Maseno University alumni. She studied Medical Bio-Technology and pursued a career in acting and new media as a podcast host, having attended high school in Migori County at Kadika Girls.

Kwamboka was crowned on stage at the Two Rivers Mall on December 10, 2022, at a glossy event that also saw Faith Wanjiku Kariuki crowned 1st Runners Up and Wabaiya Kariuki, the 2nd runner-up.

Cabinet Secretary for Youth Affairs, Sports, and the Arts Ababu Namwamba was the chief guest. It was here that Kwamboka also walked away with a Ksh250,000 grand prize and a year’s worth of grooming services worth Ksh500,000 at Ashleys Kenya.

Miss World is the oldest-running international pageant. Launched in 1951, the core tenant of the pageant is a call to action that goes beyond outer beauty and how your beauty can be a platform for change, thus dubbed “Beauty With A Purpose."

Chantou took over from 2021 Miss World Kenya Sharon Obara whom she came second to at that year’s contest.

The assignment that awaits her is considered a tough ask but she will be hoping to go further than Sharon’s stellar top 20 performance at the Miss World pageant.

No Kenyan has ever been crowned Miss World with the closest ever being a few finalists; including Maria Wavinya in 2019, Evelyn Njambi in 2016 who finished fifth overall, and Yolanda Masinde who was a semi-finalist in 2000.

The festival, slated between February 18 and March 9, 2024, will unfold across various breathtaking venues, including the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi.

120 contestants from countries across the globe will participate in various competitions and charitable initiatives, making them ambassadors of change.

Among them include the Current Miss World Karolina Bielawska along with Former Miss World winners Toni Ann Singh from Jamaica (the 69th Miss World), Vanessa Ponce De Leon from Mexico (the 68th Miss World), Manushi Chillar from India (the 67th Miss World), and Stephanie Del Valle from Puerto Rico (the 66th Miss World), coming together for the first time to set the stage for the Grand Finale.

"The 71st Miss World festival will commence with "The Opening Ceremony" and "India Welcomes the World Gala" by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) at the magnificent Hotel The Ashok in New Delhi on February 20.

"The grand finale will be a spectacular affair at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on March 9 and will be streamed and telecast across the world. In this star-studded celebration like never before, the majestic finale will have renowned celebrities who will elevate the allure of the event with their exceptional performances," Miss World explains on its website.

One of the reasons Chantou Kwambokaa won the Miss Kenya title was because of her sophistication. Not only is she a beauty queen, but she is also very elegant and very adventurous, judging from her photos on her official Instagram account.

Chantou Kwamboka when she was crowned Miss World Kenya in the presence of Sports CS Ababu Namwamba at the Two Rivers Mall on December 10, 2022. /CAPITAL LIFESTYLE

The government has fully registered the popular 'Men's Conference', an initiative held every February 14 as a counter to Valentines' Day, after years of it being ridiculed as a non-serious gathering of men.

This was announced on Saturday, February 10 by its chairman and Citizen TV senior political reporter Stephen Letoo, who termed the full registration as required by the Constitution of Kenya as a milestone. This makes the gathering recognised in the laws of Kenya.

"One year since we held our inaugural conference in Carnivore, the men's conference group has made a milestone and is now fully registered as required by our laws and the Constitution," Letoo announced.

Recap: What Is 'Men's Conference'?

For a Kenyan man, the "Men's Conference" is a yearly affair, and while it might look like a serious thing to an outsider, it is a non-existent serious gathering of men whereby men are taught how not to do all things that women want.

The day of the conference coincides with Valentines' Day when you are expected to gift your partners, to celebrate love. However, for this 'conference,' you attend to show that you are busy and won't be able to do any of that.

In summary, at the conference men are taught how not to simp. A simp is slang for a man who is desperate for the attention and affection of a woman and is ready to do anything for her.

It can also be said to be a way to counter females are believed to be the most vulnerable on Valentine's Day.

At the same time, Letoo directed women whose husbands are members of the Men's Conference to pack their bags on their behalf as they prepare to travel to different destinations for the conference, though assuring them that they would return, earliest on Sunday evening, February 18.

The announcement on Wednesday, January 31 marks the first time Gambero Rosso has mapped Italian-flavoured establishments in Kenya, giving a coveted glimpse of where to get the best Italian cuisine, pizza and wine in the country.  

Announcing the first-ever Gambero Rosso Top Italian Wine Road Show in East Africa held on Tuesday, January 30, leading Italian wine expert Marco Sabellico, senior editor of Gambero Rosso’s Vini d’Italia guidebook expressed satisfaction in the passion for Italian wine and traditions in Kenya, noting that there was room for introducing even more culinary varieties. 

Guests sampling different wines during the Gambero Rosso Italian Wine Road Show In Nairobi on January 30, 2023. /GAMBERO ROSSO

Italian Restaurants

Ten establishments were named in the top Italian restaurants category namely (Nairobi unless stated otherwise);

1. Liv Vin
2. La Casa Di Nico
3. La Terrazza
4. La Salumeria
5. La Villa
6. La Dolce Vita
7. La Cascina
8. Casa Mia (Diani)
9. Roberto’s (Mombasa)
10. Visiwa (Watamu) 

Pizzerias

On the list of top Italian pizzerias were (Nairobi unless stated otherwise);

1. Pomodoro
2. Matteo’s
3. Solo Grano
4. Mambo Italia
5. Roberto’s (Mombasa)
6. Papa Remo (Watamu).

Wine Bars

In the top Italian wine bars category, the following were named for the best choice Italian wine in the country:

1. Wine & More
2. Enoteca
3. Winebox
4. New Italycor
5. Liv Vin 

“We look for quality. So even if you do 10 different recipes from 10 different regions, each one must encompass the spirit of that recipe.

"Where it is not possible to achieve the expected culinary strictness of the region, we insist on using mostly Italian ingredients to achieve that desired and exquisite taste and face of Italy”, said Sabellico.  

The Gambero Rosso Top Italian Wine Roadshow held in Nairobi was organized through Vinpodium, a wine consultancy practice that links European wine producers with African distributors and the hospitality industry. Featured were 35 top wineries representing 15 wine regions of Italy.  

The event was graced by diverse local and regional wine connoisseurs including traders and importers who got to sample over 150 different premium awarded wines covering White, Red, Rose and Sparkling varieties in a convivial atmosphere with the bonus of meeting the actual winemakers. 

National Assembly Deputy Speaker, Gladys Shollei among those in attendance during the Gambero Rosso Italian Wine Road Show In Nairobi on January 30, 2023. /GAMBERO ROSSO

An incomparable opportunity to get a flavour of Italy’s different terroirs and wine denominations, it also featured two wine master classes presented by Sabellico and co-presented by Kenyan Wine expert and  Sommelier Victoria Mulu-Munywoki, who expressed confidence in Italian wine competitiveness for discerning consumers in Kenya and East Africa. 

“This is perhaps the best gift we could have given the wine business community in Kenya as we start the year. We have a huge percentage of discerning wine lovers in Kenya and who are always keen to sample new grape varietals and wine styles such as the 35 producers who have shown an interest in Kenya through Gambero Rosso”, she said.

Mulu-Munywoki added that local wine importers and traders now have the opportunity to do business with leading Italian wine houses including acquiring knowledge and expertise that is required for developing a  thriving Italian wines category in Kenya same as with French and South African wines that have long dominated the market. 

According to Euromoney's Passport, as of 2020, between 25 to 30 million litres of wine was sold in Kenya indicating a massive potential for growth of Italian wines in Kenya and the region. In tapping into this market, Gambero Rosso aims to increase awareness and consumption of Italian wines, especially to new consumers and the younger generation. 

“Gambero Rosso is excited about the potential for growth in the consumption of Italian wine in Kenya which is the commercial gateway for East and Central Africa, featuring a growing middle class with an increasing curiosity and appreciation for quality wine.

"Italy on the other hand has as long a history of wine-making and it makes sense to showcase this often ignored, yet great quality of wine made from hundreds of unique indigenous grapes found nowhere else in the world”, said Tiina Eriksson, International Business and Events Manager at Gambero Rosso. 

Gambero Rosso’s Vini d’Italia guidebook reviews over 25,000 wines, awarding ratings of ‘one to three glasses’ (the highest being the Tre Bicchieri - 3 glasses), and is a testament to the quality and variety of Italian wines. 

Setting for a wine masterclass during the Gambero Rosso Italian Wine Road Show In Nairobi on January 30, 2023. /GAMBERO ROSSO

Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Oduor was on Friday, January 26 offered a two-day holiday trip to a safari lodge in Tsavo, Taita Taveta County as a token of appreciation for his dedication and service in post-mortem examinations in many high-profile cases.

Oduor has been in the spotlight recently for his investigation into the tragic murder case of Rita Waeni Muendo, whose dismembered body and decapitated head were discovered in Roysambu and Kiambaa respectively on different dates in January.

Describing what he termed as crude details he found in the murder, Oduor told the media that the case was a rare one in his long-standing career, stating "This is the first time I have encountered such an incident. I have never come across such in my forensic life."

His sentiments and work ethic drew the attention of Kenyan acclaimed hotelier Mohammed Hersi who came forward with a heartwarming offer.

On his social media platforms, Hersi generously extended an invitation for Dr. Oduor and his wife to enjoy a fully sponsored weekend retreat at the picturesque Salt Lick Lodge.

"This man is selfless. He is not in this for the money. Late Waeni's case has really traumatized him, and he deserves a break with his better half. If you're known to him, he has a weekend at Salt Lick Safari Lodge to relax and unwind," he indicated.

The hotelier promised to personally see to it that Oduor is picked up from the Madaraka Express Station at Voi on the fully paid-for trip. 

Controversial blogger, Cyprian Nyakundi, claimed in a social media post on Tuesday, January 9 that the residents complained of emerging issues that include the spilling of sewage, which according to them is a serious concern.

Furthermore, a section of them pointed out the potholes filled with stagnant water as well as perennial drainage problems which pose a threat to the residents through, among others, the presence of pests that include flies and cockroaches.

A tarmacked TRM drive in Roysambu along Thika Road. /MARVIN CHEGE.VIRAL TEA KE

"Residents of Mirema, Roysambu and surrounding areas, including the USIU, express dissatisfaction with the living conditions in their neighbourhood citing issues such as sewage spillage, potholes filled with stagnant rainwater and persistent drainage problems which have transformed the once posh estate into a breeding ground for pests such as ants, bees, flies, snakes, rats, cockroaches and spiders," Nyakundi wrote.

Speaking to Viral Tea, a resident living within the aforementioned areas confirmed Nyakundi's sentiments and revealed that the situation was also prevalent with the TRM (Thika Road Mall) Drive, which is mostly preferred by foreigners, particularly from Nigeria.

"It usually smells like trash, like the drainage mostly and all those shops that have opened up along the road create traffic and pollute the area and dump their trash wherever they feel like dumping it," the resident stated.

However, the revamped road was viewed to have slightly improved the standards of living, compared to Lumumba Drive which features a series of bumps, with the resident adding that "it also just smells, like the whole area."

The menace is particularly of concern since TRM Drive boasts of residences that can charge up to Ksh65,000 per month for rent, the resident further told Viral Tea.

Numerous spot checks by Viral Tea on both the two roads crossing the Roysambu residence confirm this, with Lumumba Drive in particular bearing heaps of garbage scattered without proper disposal.

Residents have been raising concerns regarding the garbage issue, noting that despite the rubbish being cleared from sewers and roads, it finds its way back to the sewerage system, causing clogging, a situation that worsens during the rainy season.

Additionally, businesses in the area lament encountering rats and insects which have become a menace by destroying their stock and making the area generally difficult to live in and do business.

“This used to be a good neighbourhood, but not anymore. You can see the cabros peeling from the round, and many of them have not been fixed properly,” a resident was quoted by Citizen Digital's Wananchi Reporting.

“This needs some fumigation to get rid of flies, snakes, rats and cockroaches, and let them open up these drainage lines to make this place habitable and ensure there are no cases of disease outbreak in the area.”

The near-perennial cases of power blackouts and bad roads have made life difficult for the residents, especially those operating without backup generators.

There have also been some cases of insecurity, with many asking that bushes be cleared, and huge trees pruned to clear up and open certain roads and paths, given that such areas may pose as hiding spots for criminals.

The residents have since called for permanent solutions to address the problems affecting them in the estates.

Through a video advisory released on Friday, January 5, EPRA released its guidelines while emphasizing the importance of detecting the dangers that are associated with using fake gas.

The authority first of all advised Kenyans to purchase LPG cylinders only from licensed sellers.

Furthermore, it is important that during delivery, one should check for the company seal and safety cap. Cylinders with broken safety caps or lacking seals should not be accepted, as they may show that you may be sold counterfeit gas.

Given the large black market out there, it is possible to get a counterfeit LPG cylinder delivered to you. When buying a cylinder, check out these features to see if it's genuine.
For more information, contact us through email>info@epra.go.ke. or call us on 0709336000… pic.twitter.com/o3VWKy13jE

— Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (@EPRA_Ke) January 5, 2024

EPRA also advised that you check the due date of testing, marked on the inner side of the cylinder stay plate. Consumers are urged not to accept cylinders if the due date has expired and ensure that they receive gas cylinders that adhere to safety standards.

"Given the large black market out there, getting a counterfeit LPG cylinder delivered to you is possible. When buying a cylinder, check out these features to see if it's genuine.

"Please look for the due date of testing, which is marked on the inner side of the cylinder stay plate. Do not accept the cylinder if the due date is over," EPRA advised.

Sometimes, the dates are usually coded with the year and month. The months could be represented by the letter A-D, which is representative of the first quarter and the numbers usually represent the year.

A hack that Kenyans can use is applying soapy solutions that include soap water to the joints of the gas cylinder to check for potential leaks. Should there be a gas leak, bubbles will appear after applying the soap solution, indicating a potential hazard.

Furthermore, the same method can be used to check for leaks in pipes that connect a gas cylinder to a cooker.

EPRA also strongly warned against the use of open flames to detect leaks as an important part of safety precautions.

Rita, a user on X (formerly Twitter) going by the handle Bhadgurlrih, on Thursday, December 28 sparked backlash amongst Kenyan men especially when she expressed her disgust for men living in bedsitters across the country.

In a series of tweets, she wrote "Kuishi kwa Bedsitter hukuwa (Living in a bedsitter becomes) very shameful. Especially for a man", as though she was against men who opted for bedsitters as a convenient way to live, especially in urban areas.

Kuishi kwa Bedsitter hukuwa very shameful . Especially for a man

— Ritaliciousss???????? (@bhadgurlrih) December 28, 2023

Anticipating the criticism that would follow, she added "Nimesema (I said) a man, sio (not) small boys wenye ni (who are) comrades.

A woman working on her laptop in a bedsitter. /iSTOCK

"I will not speak without my lawyer. Ndio hawa (here are the) Bedsitter merchants kwa (on the) replies na qrts (quoted replies)," she went on.

Her tweet was viewed more than 401,000 times and prompted male users to go hard on her, schooling her regarding the current state of the economy and the fact that living in a bedsitter was nothing to be ashamed of.

"There's no shame in living in a bedsitter. Just live within your means. Usipewe pressure na (don't be pressured by) a low IQ campus kid tweeting from her hostel double-decker fully paid by her parents.," Joseh replied.

A female user, Alexis, disagreed with Rita by giving a case study of one of her male friends living in a bedsitter while allegedly working on a multi-million project.

"Personally nliacha kujudge guys living in a bedsitter when this one in particular showed me his multi million project akaniambia till his project peaks he’s gonna lay low na he wanna stay humble watu wamjue kama that guy who came from rugs to riches ogopa wanaume," she wrote

Loosely translated to "Personally I stopped judging guys living in a bedsitter when this one in particular showed me his multi-million project and he told me until his project peaks, he’s going to lay low and stay humble so that people know him as that guy who came from rags to riches. Fear men."

Others expressed that they would rather reside in bedsitters while building houses of their own in their hometown complete with a decent compound.

Other users thought Rita's tweet could be a case of rage farming, a notorious tactic by users subscribed to X Premium to earn money through engagements via Elon Musk's ad revenue-sharing program as part of his campaign to reward and encourage active users. 

Bedsitters have gained popularity in the Kenyan real estate industry thanks to their high demand, availability and affordability. Their unique designs that come in various arrangements have attracted several Kenyans, especially college students who have the largest demand.

Their multifunctional nature i.e. a bathroom, kitchen and living room all confined in one setting makes them preferable for most tenants. Some bedsitters in Nairobi can start from as low as Ksh3,500.

Read also: Affordable Estates Where Most Nairobi Residents Live In

Did you know that socialite Vera Sidika once lived in a bedsitter? Through a post on Instagram in October 2021, she opened up about living in a Ksh3,500 bedsitter back when she was studying at Kenyatta University (KU). 

“I've lived in a bedsitter when I joined KU as a 1st-year student. I would proudly pay Ksh3,500 monthly rent without fail. Zero arrears. I have said this in interviews and here many times, and I’m so proud of myself for it,” she wrote. 

“Never once while inside my bedsitter did I hate on a single human or be bitter. That's why I'm successful today. Instead, I was humble and happy for others as I waited for my turn."

She cautioned those criticising others living in bedsitters stating “Y'all broke bedsitter haters busy hating you think you will end up anywhere? Life hasn’t humbled you enough, it will soon. I promise you."

A house in Utawala, Nairobi. /HAVILAPLUS ESTATES

Okorodudu met with local and international media personalities on Wednesday, December 20 at Isis Models Nairobi office at Darosa Plaza, Karen, to share her vision and strategy for the upcoming year.

She revealed that she will be launching a nationwide talent hunt to discover and nurture models from remote and marginalized areas such as Turkana, Samburu and West Pokot.

Joan Okorodudu, co-founder of Isis Models International with Chol Khan, the winner of Africa's Next Super Model during an event hosted on October 28, 2023, at Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi. /PHOTO.COURTESY

The selected models will have the opportunity to participate in the next edition of Africa's Next Super Model, a prestigious modelling competition that showcases Africa's finest talent in the modelling industry.

Okorodudu emphasized that her goal is to make Isis Models more inclusive and diverse, where girls of any size, height and colour can showcase their talents and represent the beauty and diversity of Africa.

"Isis Models will be inclusive to stay ahead of the trend by making sure that black girls in Kenya and Africa get the opportunity of the runway," she said.

Okorodudu also highlighted the achievements of Isis Models in the past few years, such as scouting young girls from South Sudan even in the Kakuma Refugee Camp, and helping them launch successful modelling careers in the US, UK, Paris, and other international markets.

She also announced that she had decided to make Kenya the headquarters of Isis Models, after the country hosted its inaugural Africa's Next Super Model event on October 28, 2023.

Okorodudu further revealed that she will create a fashion hub in the country that will create opportunities for fashion designers, make-up artists and models.

She also announced that she will bring international fashion brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucchi, and other brands to Kenya to work with black models and turn them into world-class professional supermodels.

Okorodudu expressed her optimism and excitement about the future of modelling in Africa and urged the media and the public to support her initiative.

During the Africa's Next Super Model event in October, 19-year-old Chol Khan from South Sudan was crowned the winner, and presented with a dummy cheque of $5,000 (Ksh752,750) in prize money.

Joan Okorodudu, the founder of Isis Modelling Agency. /VANGUARD NEWS

TikTok user Rory Gallagher (@roaringtravel) educated his viewers on the reality of what happens with America’s donated items which arrive in Kenya and are sold at pocket-friendly prices.

Taking the position of the average American who donates their clothes, Rory revealed that initially, the idea was to give them to the less fortunate in African countries such as Kenya for free, but they end up being shipped and sold as second-hand items instead.

Here is the video:

@roaringtravel Best kept open secret ????#kenya #kenyantiktok #nairobi #kenyantiktok???????? #mitumba #donation ♬ original sound - Rory Gallagher

"Americans don't realise that donated clothes are taken by four profit companies and sold to African markets...and that's how it ends up here in Kenya, where someone like me can buy this for Ksh400, which I think is a good price," Gallagher explained in the video while showcasing a donated shirt which was for sale.

The Tiktoker made a shocking discovery that the companies already made millions of dollars before the clothes arrived at the local markets, some of them based in the US and Europe which are responsible for selling the original clothes in the first place.

Furthermore, the government of Kenya also reaps big from importing the clothes by subjecting them to taxes as they are brought into the country.

"But there is a big problem, half the clothes that arrive here, aren't even sellable," Gallagher added while showcasing a stained blouse for sale as an example.

"Many are bad quality and a lot of them are just too big to fit Kenyans and need to be resized and trimmed down."

He added that the move creates a lot of waste which sees the residue either burned or dumped into the Nairobi River owing to the government's failure to set up a proper waste disposal plan.

The video sent mixed reactions among Kenyans, some of whom expressed their lack of surprise at thrift markets in Kenya selling clothes that are far below the recommended standards.

"The clothes were better in the past, but now that everyone wears Shien and other fast fashion brands, it becomes even harder to find good clothes," a user commented.

"A lot of costs are involved in the collection and grading of the used garments that's why the prices," a Mitumba trader weighed in.

According to a Washington Post article, some donated items do get shipped abroad and resold. However, whether or not your old clothes end up in the hands of those in need largely depends on where you donated them and their condition.

October data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) indicated that the country imported 53,979 tonnes of second-hand clothing in the second quarter of 2023, an increase of 30.6 percent compared to 41,314 tonnes in a similar quarter in 2022.

It is the highest quantity imported since the fourth quarter of 2021 when a record 55,184 tonnes were shipped into the country.

Second-hand clothes on sale in Kenya. /CAPITAL GROUP

Nkanatha who spoke during the Jamhuri Day celebrations on Tuesday, December 12, expressed concern on behalf of the government regarding the park and chill hangouts claiming that they involve alcohol and drugs.

The County Commissioner specifically cited tea plantations along Kiambaa, Limuru and Githunguri as party hotspots which have attracted revellers from nearby Nairobi County owing to their lush-green views.

In a statement, Mutua noted that the directive will allow Kenyans to enjoy the pristine wildlife and nature in all forms as the country marks 60 years since gaining independence.

"Kenya boasts breathtaking landscapes, from vast savannahs to pristine beaches and majestic mountains, showcasing the country’s unparalleled beauty. Our rich flora and fauna stand as a testament to our national pride and conservation efforts, inviting visitors to revel in these natural wonders.

"In commemorating our 60th year of independence, the Government proudly announces free entry for Kenyan citizens to all national parks and museums on Jamhuri Day, December 12, 2023. This initiative aligns with our collective pride in being Kenyan and our desire for everyone to relish the gifts bestowed upon us by nature," he announced.

Tourism CS Alfred Mutua speaking to the media on December 8, 2023. /ALFRED MUTUA

The CS added that the free entry complimentary access encompasses marine parks, the Safari walk, and animal orphanages, from 6 am to 6 pm on that day.

According to Mutua, however, proof of identification will be required for Kenyan citizens such as the ID, a rule that also applies to children accompanying parents or guardians who possess identification proof.

Kenyans were further asked to ensure that services run smoothly across the national parks which makes work easier for the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS).

"Should a facility reach full capacity, we kindly urge patience to allow departing visitors to create space for others. Compliance with our staff’s guidance at entry points and within the premises is greatly appreciated.

"I extend a call to Governors overseeing county governments managing national reserves to consider a similar waiver, enabling all Kenyan citizens to revel and enjoy in our shared heritage. Let’s unite in celebration and embrace this opportunity to enjoy as one," he added.

KWS Proposes Increase In National Park Fees By Three Times

KWS in August proposed to triple the fees for national parks that included the Nairobi National Park, with Kenyan adults set to pay Ksh2,000 to visit the urban park during peak and low seasons.

Children were to pay Ksh500 as entry fees, up from Ksh215 from January 2024 to December 2025. This would be an increase from the Ksh430 fee that adults from the East African Community (EAC) are currently paying to enter the parks. 

Kino was touring the Kibera slums when he was led into a makeshift restaurant, commonly called a 'kibanda' where he ordered a plate of ugali and matumbo for Ksh200 per plate, accompanied by fish and a side of 'kachumbari'.

He sat down to enjoy his dish alongside one of the residents whom he interacted with throughout as he concluded his meal and inquired about its price.

However, Kino was stunned to discover that he was being charged Ksh1,000 for the ugali and matumbo plate, which is five times more than the original price.

Here is the video:

"Just before you told me this is Ksh200, so the ugali is Ksh800? So anyone who takes ugali here pays Ksh800?" he attempted to countercheck, to which the kibanda attendant agreed in jest.

Sensing that he was being scammed in the open, the Frenchman opted to pay Ksh500 for the meal with the knowledge that the price for the ugali he had was way less than what he was being charged.

The kibanda attendant tried coercing him into topping up an extra Ksh200 but Kino remained adamant, revealing that he was aware that he was being tricked into overpaying for the plate, which he found out only cost Ksh50.

"You know, the problem is, I know you're charging me like 10 times for the price of ugali," Kino countered much to the attendant's denial, to which he decided that "I will wait and I'll see if you charge people Ksh500 for the ugali."

Eventually, Kino succumbed and handed the attendant the extra Ksh200, voicing his accusations towards him that he had pulled all manner of tricks to swindle him of his money.

"You're giving a bad image of the people here, that's not nice," Kino slammed before walking away from the restaurant disappointed.

The altercation sparked uproar among Kenyans who believed that some of the scamming habits of ordinary mwananchi are a replica of what a section of politicians for years have been accused of.

"This is one of the reasons why some Caucasians in my circle refuse to go back to Kenya. Honestly speaking I also prefer leaving them behind when I visit because I am tired of this thievery all the time. I need to enjoy my holiday without scammers activating their scamming antennae because they have seen a Caucasian or a mixed-race child! 

"Anyway, a majority of you are thieves as we see in this clip, why do you expect your politicians to be different? Could it be that you deserve some of your leaders?" an X user posed.

"Not cool at all. I follow this guy's content on YouTube. Started when he was cycling from Addis en route to SA via Kenya. One thing I know about him is that he is woke and knows when he is being scammed," DJ Soxxy weighed in.

The French Youtuber has been travelling across continents, cycling his way from one country to another. He began his journey in France, through Europe, and then the Middle East, with his most recent achievement being arriving in Kenya, a distance of approximately 9,521 kilometres by road.

Kino cycles an electric bicycle that was modified to have three wheels. Since he is in transit full-time, he uses YouTube as a source of income, financing his journey by posting regular video updates of his escapades.

A photo collage of Yves Kino in a water vessel (left) and posing with an associate in Kenya (right). /INSTAGRAM.KINOYVES

While giving his submissions on the floor of the House, Ichung'wah observed that there were some unnamed Members of Parliament (MP) inviting unauthorised guests to the exclusive members-only areas, specifically the lounge and bar.

He outlined two areas in Parliament; one designated exclusively for visitors and the other assigned to sitting members, with the latter inviting visitors from the former to an area where sitting members go and caucus as well as lobby each other, a matter Ichung'wah termed discomforting and a breach of privacy.

Parliament buildings in Nairobi. /PARLIAMENT OF KENYA

To prove his point, the Kikuyu MP shared a case study of two lawmakers who had invited women to the members-only bar, whom he did not name.

"One of these Wednesday evenings when the House sits till 9 pm, to walk to the Members' Bar...I will not on this occasion name the two members who had invited female visitors to the members' bar," he disclosed.

Though choosing to conceal their identity, Ichung'wah threatened to name and shame them in front of the House should they be caught repeating the same act.

"I will not name them but should the same be repeated and I'll be relaying the names to your office so that you take action and, honourable speaker, let me just say it loud and clear. I will name you in public, on the floor because that bar, for those who patronize the bar, is strictly for sitting members,” he expressed.

In a series of regulations published by Health Cabinet Secretary (CS) Susan Nakhumicha on Tuesday, November 29, a person travelling into Kenya shall possess a travel health insurance cover pursuant to section 26(6) of the Social Health Insurance Act.

The travel health insurance shall cover the person's entire period of stay in Kenya and provide the following benefits;

"Personal accident that may lead to death or permanent total disability, emergency medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of mortal remains.

"Hospital benefits, prescription medicines; and any other benefit as may be prescribed by the Cabinet Secretary," the regulations read in part.

Furthermore, a non-Kenyan may obtain the travel health insurance cover at the point of entry in Kenya.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the aforementioned, the Social Health Insurance Authority shall not provide travel health insurance covers for Kenyans or non-Kenyans.

In terms of Kenyans seeking treatment outside the country, they will be allowed to seek medical treatment abroad under SHIF but only after meeting the necessary requirements.

A beneficiary may access treatment outside Kenya where their contributions in favour of the beneficiary are up to date and provide proof that the treatment sought abroad is not available in Kenya.

"The treatment sought is being provided by a healthcare provider or health facility contracted by the Authority," added the regulations.

Furthermore, anyone who requires treatment outside Kenya shall request the Social Health Authority to authorize the treatment by providing a referral for overseas treatment from the treating doctor or consultant submitted online as prescribed in the regulations.

The referral should contain the name of the receiving healthcare provider or health facility, the diagnosis of the beneficiary including all results from the tests done by the treating doctor or consultant and the medical history of the beneficiary including any relevant medical conditions including allergies and recent or related diseases;

It should also contain clear and concise medical reasons for the referral and the signature of the treating doctor or consultant.

The patient should also fill in a duly filled form prescribed under the Medical Practitioners and Dentists Act.

"The Claims Management Office shall review the request and shall confirm that the healthcare service for which the beneficiary is being referred is not available in Kenya, the referral is to a health service provider or health facility that is contracted by the Authority based on peer review undertaken by the Claims Management Office, the referral is medically necessary and the financial implication of the healthcare service sought outside Kenya is within the limits of the essential benefits package," added the regulations.

Where the Authority approves the request, the Authority shall undertake to pay for the treatment sought at the health facility outside Kenya.

Kenyans usually travel abroad to seek specialized treatment for illnesses such as cancer and heart-related diseases, with countries such as India, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States (US) being particularly popular destinations.

Medanta Hospital in India. /FILE

In an address to the National Assembly on Tuesday, Wetangula classified the fashion suits, also known as Mao Zedong coats, as an improper dress that goes against the rules of the House regarding dress code.

He also banned hats, caps and traditional attire.

"Going forward, therefore, honourable members, any attire outside what is prescribed in Rule 9 of the Speaker's rules is prohibited. This includes kaunda suits, whether long or short-sleeved," ruled the Speaker.

“I direct that all members must observe Rule 9 of the Speaker’s Rules on Dress Code, not only in the Chamber but also in committee, lounges and dining areas. Kaunda suit is not permitted in the Chamber, committee, lounges and dining areas."

The ruling sees Wetangula reverse previous rulings by former speakers which embraced the popular kaunda suits within the precincts of Parliament.

He was of the view that kaunda suits posed a threat to the traditional parliamentary dress code, hence moving to impose the ban.

The speaker had singled out Rarieda Member of Parliament Otiende Amollo and his Kimilili counterpart Didmus Barasa as lawmakers who adopted the kaunda suits as their trademark dress code anytime they stepped into Parliament.

“This practice outrightly does not accord with the seriousness of the house and its committees,” Wetangula added.

Furthermore, Speaker Wetangula outlawed tight and revealing clothes for female MPs after some women in the house had raised concerns requesting the speaker to protect the dignity of the House. However, he argued that the ban was not in any way meant to prefect MPs.

The Speaker also banned Maasai shukas as part of the dress code as envisaged in the Assembly’s standing rules despite previous instances where speakers admitted such clothes.

President Ruto first stepped out donning a blue Kaunda Suit with a black shirt underneath during a State visit to Djibouti on June 11, 2023, sending netizens crazy about fashion and wilding about Ruto's exquisite taste in men's clothing.

Three days later, the Commander-in-Chief addressed two functions in Naivasha; the 4th Engineering Partnerships Convention and the Kenya Urban Forum, both clad in a neat black Kaunda suit.

The suit is said to have originated in Australia in the 1970s but was made more popular in Africa by the first President of Zambia, the late Kenneth Kaunda, from whose last name the attire was christened. 

Kaunda loved the suit so much that he wore it across all his functions, a trend that was eventually picked up by fellow African leaders.

Read more: Kaunda Suits: Story Of Men's Fashion Ruto Chose Over Suit & Tie

Warutere, who became the latest national celebrity after scoring 428 marks, was awarded the handsome holiday package during his interview with Citizen TV on Thursday night, November 23.

Viutravel, a local travel company powered by the country's largest TV station, handed the gift to the top candidate who was joined by his father during the interview and representatives of Riara Springs Academy.

Celebrations after Michael Warutere emerged top in the 2023 KCPE exams. /X

“At Viutravel we award excellence and so we appreciate that you have done well. This is a three-day fully paid holiday to Mombasa. Go and enjoy yourself for what you have done. We appreciate you with this and we wish you all the best,” said Annette White, who is Viutravel's Guest Relations Officer.

Details regarding the Mombasa trip are still scanty, as more sponsors, donors and well-wishers are said to be reaching out to Warutere and his family with multiple offers.

The candidate who emerged top amongst 1,406,557 of his peers, utilised the live TV interview to offer advice to pupils and students regarding the road to success.

“You have to balance your time properly. Because you cannot always be on your books.  Have time to study as well as time to exercise so that your brain can process information properly and in the end you will achieve success,” he disclosed.

Warutere scored 428 marks out of a possible 500, moments after Education Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ezekiel Machogu announced the top student in the national exams on Thursday, November 23.

Anastasia Nyalita, County Executive, Inclusivity, Public participation and Customer Service, revealed on Thursday, November 23 that the reopening will take place alongside the 2nd edition of the Nai Fest (Nairobi Festival).

However, Nyalita noted that there will still be some final touches done on the park before it is fully operational, even though it is anticipated to be handed over to the county government.

Inside the refurbished Uhuru Park in Nairobi. /NMS

"This year’s event will mark the official re-opening of Uhuru Park, which has been under renovation for the better part of the year. Except for a few final touches, Uhuru Park is ready for handover to the County Government of Nairobi and ready for Nairobi residents and visitors to the city to enjoy its modern amenities," she stated.

"Uhuru Park will feature several eateries and high-end hotels, while the iconic Mau Mau freedom fighters, The Pope’s and The Peace, Love and Unity monuments have been maintained as well as a more defined Freedom corner in memory of the late Environmentalist the late Prof. Wangari Maathai.”

Meanwhile, in terms of the Nai Fest, the county government announced calls for auditions for Nairobi residents ahead of the event set to run between December 12 and 17.

“This is a chance for Nairobi youth to be selected to take part during the 5-day extravaganza in December.  We are calling upon those who are aged between 18 – 80 years to submit a one-minute clip showcasing their talent by 25th November via WhatsApp to 0777 200 290," Nyalita added.

This year, it is expected that more than 100,000 Nairobi residents will turn up for the duration of the Nairobi Festival at Uhuru Park, which will celebrate the Kenyan capital's diversity and talent, be it in music, cooking, art, or whatever else celebrates the Nairobians' vibrant culture.

The head of the event’s planning committee and renowned producer and the current County Chief Officer, Culture, Arts and Heritage, Clement “Clemo” Sijenyi, promised to deliver an extravaganza that will feature Nairobi’s top DJs, musicians, culinary and visual artists.

“There is a lot of untapped talent in Nairobi’s estates and we hope that everybody who feels they have something unique to offer will send a video of their abilities so we can provide them with a platform to showcase and further their talent during the Nairobi Festival. Even sports men and women are encouraged to send their content. The idea is to celebrate the cultural diversity of Nairobi in all its different forms," indicated Clemo.

Kenyans have been unable to access the park since 2021 following renovations that were being undertaken by the defunct Nairobi Metropolitan Services (NMS) in conjunction with the military. However, the Park has been opened temporarily for a number of occasions.

Celebrations rocked the Nairobi kitchen where Chef Maliha Mohammed has been cooking and on her online platforms as she set the stage for official confirmation by GWR which will see her hold the title for Longest Cooking Marathon by an Individual over a gruelling 6-day kitchen marathon.

Maliha, who commenced the challenge on November 15, has been keeping her fans updated on her progress in trying to surpass the current GWR record of 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds, achieved by Alan Fisher (Ireland) in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from September 28 to October 3, 2023.

Fisher himself had caused an upset by dethroning 26-year-old Nigerian chef, restaurateur and actress Hilda Effiong Bassey, alias Hilda Baci for the title of the individual longest cooking marathon.

Despite surpassing the record set by Baci, the bubbly chef went on for 50 more hours, to the delight of her fans in Kenya and all over the world.

The journey to winning this impressive feat has not been easy for Maliha; she had to look for sponsors for the food, premises and other requirements for the all-important task. Nonetheless, she managed to meet all the requirements and started the journey, which climaxed in the last week. 

At some point, during the cookathon, Maliha even experienced a health scare which saw her briefly faint and get whisked from the cooking venue by emergency teams.

Through it all, Maliha's team shared a video showing her lying on a stretcher attended to by what appeared to be medical personnel. Undaunted, the chef bounced back not too long after, promising to soldier on to the end.

She was excited about this achievement posting: “The lion, the conqueror, the champion is here! 150 hours and the record is home. Thanks to all that came through especially Kenyans that made it to witness this prolific moment in time. Remember, be phenomenal or be forgotten!”

In an interview after she broke the record at 12:34 am on Wednesday, November 22, she said: “Embarking on this journey was undoubtedly one of the most difficult yet fulfilling undertakings of my career."

“Every second felt like an eternity, but also an opportunity to push beyond limits. This has not just been a personal triumph but a celebration of the resilience that resides within each one of us. It has been a journey and labour of love from Kenyans from all walks of life.”

Maliha's cookathon attracted some popular faces across the Kenyan entertainment industry chiefly Bien-Aime Baraza, Crazy Kenner, Butita and Flaqo.

Fans and supporters from all walks of life continued to troop to Maliha's base, located at Proto Energy Limited Headquarters along Thika Road where they have been making merry, dancing, cheering her on, savouring her meals and sharing widely across the internet.

The Chef and her team will now be waiting for official ratification of the record from the Guinness World Record team with a decision to be made within the next five days. 

On Monday, August 14, Maliha shattered the record for the longest home kitchen cooking marathon of 68 hours, 30 minutes, and 1 second, which was more than the previous record set by Rickey Lumpkin II from Los Angeles, California, in the United States of 68 hours, 30 minutes and 2 seconds.

Mohammed prepared sumptuous meals during her marathon, where she also showcased her culinary skills and diversity by cooking various cuisines.

The longest home cooking marathon is also viewed as a chance for her to break her own record last set in 2019 when she cooked for over 75 hours straight, setting out to cook for more than 100 hours, something never done before by any human being.

In a statement on Wednesday, November 22 signed by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Dr.Fred Siyoi, PPB noted that the drug has been in circulation within the Kenyan market, with its manufacturers promoting it by claiming it possesses alleged sexual enhancement properties.

The manufacturers, according to the board, also claimed that the drug possesses 100 per cent natural properties and is herbal in nature.

Pharmacy and Poisons Board offices. /FILE

"Consequently, the PPB has conducted thorough tests on the honey-based product and detected significant adulteration of the product with high levels of a conventional active pharmaceutical ingredient, known as Sildenafil, which is prescribed for the management of erectile dysfunction and pulmonary arterial hypertension.

"The PPB informs the public that Sildenafil is classified as a Prescription-Only Medicine and its excessive consumption poses serious safety and health hazards," stated PPB in part.

Sildenafil is a medication that treats erectile dysfunction and is the active ingredient in Viagra.

As a result, PPB strongly cautioned the public against the use or involvement in the trade, distribution, wholesale, retail, issuance or dispensing of this product.

"Any person found dealing with or distributing these products will be subjected to legal action.

"Further, the PPB advises the public against the use of health products that have not obtained approval from the PPB," added PPB.

The board further encouraged both the general public and healthcare providers to promptly report any suspected substandard and falsified medical products to the PPB using the necessary channels.

Sexual enhancement supplements are supplements made from a natural substance. They may contain nutrients called amino acids, vitamins, minerals or herbs like palmetto, Yohimbe or maca, with most products coming in tablets, caplets or tablets.

Sexual enhancement supplements have become more prevalent as the population ages and more people are diagnosed with disorders that require medication that may lead to sexual problems as side effects.

In addition, increased consumption of alcohol and smoking have increased the prevalence of sexual health problems, such as erectile dysfunction.

The festival, hosted at the KALRO Grounds along Waiyaki Way in Nairobi, brought together women from diverse communities and age groups for a day of enriching discussions, interactive workshops, and vibrant entertainment.

The festival commenced with impactful panel discussions, notably "Women in Leadership," moderated by Cynthia Mwangi.

Josephine Wanja, Festival Director & Cynthia Mwangi, MC. /360 DEGREE WOMAN FESTIVAL

Panellists Patience Nyange, Renee Ngamau, and Naserian Mpeeiya shared their compelling journeys, unravelling the obstacles they faced in ascending to leadership and triumphing over systemic barriers designed to hinder women's progress.

The raw and inspiring narratives resonated with aspiring leaders, emphasizing resilience and breaking through barriers.

"Women and the Digital Age" featured panellists Julian Kamau, Njambi Mungai, and Mirriam Karanja, who moderated the session.

The discussion explored issues spanning cyber security, cyberbullying, digital footprints, personal branding, and other challenges women encounter online. The panel shed light on navigating the digital landscape with resilience and strategic growth.

The final panel, "Marriage, Children, and Bringing the Sexy Back," moderated by Anne Bahati, courageously addressed societal norms.

Panellists Irene Mutegi, Ciku Mwaniki, and Josephine Wanja delved into topics of vulnerability, nutrition, dating, and marriage, encouraging women to embrace their unique journeys and live in the present moment.

The festival showcased a lively marketplace, featuring women entrepreneurs across diverse sectors. Attendees seized the opportunity to support and connect with enterprises in health, cosmetics, hair care, international studies, African apparel, motor vehicle care, and bespoke games.

The event concluded with electrifying performances by Kareh B and Jojo Kibare, setting a celebratory tone that had attendees dancing on the open lawn for hours. The dynamic entertainment added a joyful touch to the festival atmosphere.

Josephine Wanja, Founder of Black Dot Limited and Festival Director, expressed gratitude, stating, "The 360 Degree Woman Festival surpassed our expectations."

"Witnessing women unite to inspire, support, and have fun in a safe, non-judgmental space was truly heartwarming. These events play a vital role in fostering unity, empowerment, and holistic well-being for every woman," she added.

The overwhelming success of the "360 Degree Woman Festival" has ignited anticipation for future editions.

Organizers are already exploring ways to amplify the festival's impact, ensuring it remains a vital platform for empowerment, enjoyment, celebration, and connection.

Here are more photos from the event:

Ladies enjoyed the dance session in between panel discussions. /360 DEGREE WOMAN FESTIVAL

SHE Awards exists to recognize and appreciate women founders developing our nations while creating jobs through entrepreneurship; and also motivate the ones who are yet to start their businesses.

"What makes SHE AWARDS unique is the impact it has on young women entrepreneurs. Rather than 
awarding successful seasoned entrepreneurs, we award the young women founders running startups.

"Entrepreneurs create employment opportunities not only for themselves but for others as well 
influencing a country’s economic performance. Since its debut in the year 2021 in Kenya, SHE Awards has been able to recognize women who are creating change and impacting communities. In 2023, SHE Awards expanded its wings into Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa," describes a press release in part sent to Viral Tea.

Women founders at the SHE Awards ceremony on November 15, 2023. /SHE AWARDS

Themed "See Her Empowered," the 2023 edition of SHE AWARDS served as a rallying call to celebrate women's empowerment and encouraged stakeholders to contribute to this cause in diverse capacities.

The event not only recognized outstanding women entrepreneurs but also aimed to foster inter-Africa trade among women in business.

The prestigious SHE Awards ceremony took place at the Simba-Corp Aspire Center in Westlands, Nairobi and brought together trailblazing women from different sectors, providing a platform to share success stories, foster collaborations, and inspire the next generation of women entrepreneurs.

"SHE AWARDS continues to be a beacon of empowerment, recognizing the pivotal role women play in driving economic growth, job creation, and community development. As SHE AWARDS looks forward to future editions, the commitment to celebrating and supporting women in entrepreneurship remains unwavering," added the statement.

Winners were recognized in 15 different categories for Under 30 and Over 30 Founders. They include (Kenyan winners in bold except for clean sweep):

Founder of The Year

Under 30

1. Barbara Sunguti - Kenya Winner
2. Faith Israel - Kenya 1st Runner up
3. Victory Mesona - Nigeria 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Beryl Itindi - Kenya Winner
2. Fridah Keitany - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Maleti Fakude - South Africa 2nd Runner up

Social Founder of The Year

Under 30

1. Clare Brenda Mugambi - Kenya Winner
2. Khathutshelo Tshivhase - South Africa 1st Runner-up
3. Maureen Mubaiwa - South Africa 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Dr Margaret Kagwe - Kenya Winner
2. Patricia Mwangi - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Emma Akua Mettle - Ghana 2nd Runner-up

Techpreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Vivian Nyaga - Kenya Winner
2. Fatima Dawud - Nigeria 1st Runner-up
3. Betty Kirika - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Margaret Muigai - Kenya Winner
2. Rose Ellah Nyawira Ngari - Kenya 1st Runner up
3. Mavis Achiaa Amoah - Ghana 2nd Runner-up

Fashionpreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Amanda Odartey - Ghana Winner
2. Asmau Shema - Nigeria 1st Runner up
3. Christine Fadhili Kalibanya - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Bettybetty Kathambi - Kenya Winner
2. Cynthia Aketch - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Mahlori Khosa - South Africa 2nd Runner-up

Most Promising Founder of The Year

Under 30

1. Ivy Getanda - Kenya Winner
2. Sandra Agyakwaa Oduro - Ghana 1st Runner-up
3. Victoria Nambute - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Rayhab Gitari - Kenya Winner
2. Juliette Hunter - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Thando Mpama - South Africa 2nd Runner-up

Agripreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Masabata Sebusi - South Africa Winner
2. Freda Gizel - Ghana 1st Runner up
3. Monic Etim - Nigeria 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Veronica Esi Ramos - Ghana Winner
2. Winfred Wambugu - Kenya 1st Runner up
3. Khethiwe promise Maseko - South Africa 2nd Runner-up

Realtor of The Year

Under 30

Dorcas Dau - Kenya Winner

Over 30

1. Esther Mwende - Kenya Winner
2. Lesego Thombo - South Africa 1st Runner-up
3. Mary Muturi - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Edupreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Rotshidzwa Maphupha - South Africa Winner
2. Adenike Adejuwon - Nigeria 1st Runner up
3. Mary Amponsah - Ghana 2nd Runner-up

Women founders pose with their awards during the SHE Awards ceremony on November 15, 2023. /SHE AWARDS

Over 30

1. Azola Mditshwa - South Africa Winner
2. Dipuo Lekalakala - South Africa 1st Runner up
3. Sibonelo Khupe - South Africa 2nd Runner-up

Foodpreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Bomunu Loveth Samuel Ikoko - Nigeria Winner
2. Ann Njenga - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Lennah Wanja - Kenya 2nd Runner up

Over 30

1. Nafeesah Dante - South Africa Winner
2. Chichi Eriobu - Nigeria 1st Runner-up
3. Theodora Kissiedu - Ghana 2nd Runner up

Healthpreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Sonia Ndike - Kenya Winner
2. Silvia Wambui - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Mary Maina - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Mampe Elisa Konyama - South Africa Winner
2. Sophia Mensah Boduwah - Ghana 1st Runner-up
3. Doris Essiet - Nigeria 2nd Runner-up

Entertainment Founder of The Year

Under 30

1. Sylvia Kabeyi - Kenya Winner
2. Sophia Clement - Nigeria 1st Runner-up

Over 30

1. Violet Namatsi - Kenya Winner
2. Portia Ncwane - South Africa 1st Runner-up

Mediapreneur of The Year

Under 30

1. Jael Keya - Kenya Winner
2. Cynthia Osajibenedict - South Africa 1st Runner-up
3. Brenda Koech - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Elizabeth Kisyang'a - Kenya Winner
2. Jasmine Wambui - Kenya 1st Runner-up
3. Rachel Opinya - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Manufacturing Founder of The Year

Under 30

1. Cindy Mkwanazi - South Africa Winner
2. Nomfundo Ndlovu - South Africa 1st Runner-up
3. Dorcas Agada - Nigeria 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Nontsikelelo Magwaza - South Africa Winner
2. Lerato Mashabela - South Africa 1st Runner-up
3. Nthabiseng Selomo - South Africa 2nd Runner up

FinFounder of The Year

Under 30

Jennifer Awirigwe - Nigeria Winner

Over 30

Blessing Ugboma - Nigeria Winner

Retail Founder of The Year

Under 30

1. Abigael Rop - Kenya Winner
2. Oluwatomilola Kayode-Ojo - Nigeria 1st Runner up
3. Priscilla Nganga - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Over 30

1. Therestella Tei-Kwabla - Ghana Winner
2. Rachael Ncube - South Africa 1st Runner up
3. Christine Otieno - Kenya 2nd Runner-up

Through the National Museums of Kenya (NMK), the government aims to review admission fees that have been administered by the NMK for the past ten (10) years.

This will be with respect to entry into its sites and monuments across the country.

"The proposed increase aims to boost internal revenue to support NMK’s efforts in heritage conservation for posterity.

Inside the Nairobi National Museum. /FILE

"The increased revenue collection would also enhance NMK’s financial sustainability, and address the emerging socio-economic issues such as inflation, increased dollar exchange rates, emerging government policies, and revenue volatility among others," NMK announced this as part of their 3-year phase.

Should the proposed fees sail through, Kenyans visiting the Nairobi National Museum for instance will pay Ksh400 in the new rates, a double increase from the current Ksh200.

East African Citizens visiting Fort Jesus in Mombasa will pay Ksh1,200 from Ksh600 while non-residents will part with Ksh2,400 after the 100 per cent increase. 

The government argued that being a service industry, the main source of funds for the NMK is the National Government through the National Treasury.

"Out of the total budget of the National Museums of Kenya, the National Government mainly funds costs for personnel emoluments (salaries) leaving NMK to cater for its operational costs from internally generated revenue. The government has also been advocating for state corporations to strive towards self-sustainability," added NMK.

NMK also revealed that the area of heritage conservation is subjected to significant competition for funds against other crucial public expenditures such as education, defence, and law among others, and, consequently, NMK is more often underfunded in that respect.

The admission fees and other commercial activities at NMK go towards its efforts to protect, preserve, conserve and promote the national heritage for posterity

In a statement seen by Viral Tea, the Irish company revealed that KRA requested them to provide to the taxman a limited amount of data about historical transactions that took place on the Airbnb platform during the period from January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2022.

Airbnb further noted that the disclosed data will identify the Kenyan hosts who rented their houses through the platform as well as how much they earned from their customers who rented the homestays for the period of their choosing.

"Airbnb Ireland UC (Airbnb), an Irish registered company, is the data controller of the personal data of all users of Airbnb in Kenya.

"KRA has issued an exchange of information request to the Irish Tax Authority (Irish Revenue) seeking certain information on Kenya hosts, and Irish Revenue has formally requested Airbnb to share this information, which we are legally obliged to do," read the statement in part.

This means that the affected users whose information will be shared will be notified through a message once their details are sent to KRA.

"Irish Revenue will now be communicating to each Kenyan user, whose data is being shared, that their data is being sent to KRA under an exchange of information request," added Airbnb.

"Your earnings on Airbnb are subject to Kenyan tax regulations. If you need to file a tax return, remember that you have a legal obligation to accurately report your earnings on Airbnb to the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA)."

However, the statement did not reveal whether or not KRA would go after the homestay owners who failed to remit their taxes during the aforementioned period.

Homestay services have been on the rise in recent years as business and leisure travellers seek cheaper alternatives to hotels. 

Some Kenyans rely on Airbnbs as an alternative source of income to cushion themselves from the hardships resulting from the high cost of living.

Residents lease out their Airbnbs from as little as Ksh2,500 a night to premium rates hitting as high as Ksh40,000 for certain houses.

The Tourism Fund on Tuesday, October 3 put Airbnb hosts on notice over failure to register and pay the Tourism Levy which is charged to all facilities that offer accommodation services.

An announcement by United States-based travel agency Lonely Planet revealed that Nairobi ranked ahead of well-known cities such as Paris, Montreal, Mostar, and Philadelphia among others.

In a statement, the Head of State commended the government's efforts to advertise the country globally, yet again defending his numerous trips abroad since assuming office on September 13, 2022.

"Our endeavours to sell Kenya throughout the world are paying off. Everywhere we go, we have offered everyone - investors, innovators, creators, professionals and travellers of all ages - a compelling reason to visit Kenya. And we have countless such reasons. 

A ranking that placed Nairobi as the best city in the world to travel to in 2024. /LONELY PLANET

"The world is listening. Our effort to use every local and global opportunity to profile Kenya as a competitive destination has elicited highly inspiring feedback from Lonely Planet, which has recognised Nairobi as its top global city destination," Ruto celebrated.

He agreed wholeheartedly with the assessment and positive feedback from a global authority on matters of travel and tourism.

"Kenya is a magnificent country endowed with a sumptuous array of spectacular touristic attractions that are liberally dispersed throughout the land, and Nairobi is its powerful, vital, beating heart. We dream in Nairobi and chase our biggest dreams here. We imagine a better present and future and then create it. We are brave, bold and brilliant in Nairobi. 

"To be recognised as the world's top city destination for 2024 by Lonely Planet is, therefore, a direct recognition of the city's unique confluence of global cosmopolitan trends and traditional cultural blends, with an emerging, evolving and dynamic youthful bent and everything else in between," Ruto continued.

The President hailed the award as also an indirect affirmation of Magical Kenya as an irresistible destination for those curious to encounter a beautiful country going places with people who are always ready to engage all visitors, clients, customers and partners until their expectations are exceeded.

"We shall neither tire nor relent in performing this important duty of marketing and promoting Magical Kenya and Nairobi, our wondrously complex, infinitely charismatic, profoundly fascinating capital abounding with opportunities for everyone thinking of learning, trying or starting something," Ruto committed.

"I encourage all our friends throughout the world to tell a friend or more to make the point of visiting Kenya and experiencing Nairobi. There is nowhere like here anywhere in the world. We are ready and waiting to give you an incomparable travel experience of unforgettable beauty and magic."

On Thursday, November 2, Jamia Mosque on X (formerly Twitter) penned a post outlining habits Muslim women should not do, which it termed as 'haram'.

Harām (حرام, harām) is an Arabic adjective that in Islam describes anything that is “forbidden, inviolable, sacred” according to sharia law. In its ambiguity, it corresponds most closely to the concept of taboo in German.

The opposite of harām is halāl (حلال), which refers to anything that is permitted by sharia law.

First Lady Rachel Ruto with Muslim women at State House on April 16, 2023. /PCS

Jamia Mosque thus forbid habits such as showing hair in public, hair extensions and wearing tight clothes among Muslim women.

Also rendered unlawful included using perfumes, doing heavy makeup and eyebrow plucking.

"Even smelling good is haram? Nuka jasho uingie mbiguni (try smelling bad and get into heaven)," slammed Mwangi.

"Jamia Mosque, why does religion dictate to women what to wear, but men can mostly wear or do whatever they want? So how does a woman showing her hair become a sin?"

Notably, the activist was not alone as another netizen called out the mosque for misleading the public.

"You need to give detailed accounts. Perfume is not haram, it is only not permissible to apply and leave their home but within the confines of their house, they can apply. Thank you," he wrote.

In a bid to save face, Jamia Mosque clarified that the 'haram' directive against Muslim women wearing perfumes applies when they are out in public spaces, explaining that this may attract men, which they say is forbidden.

"Islam is a way of life; hence, there are guidelines for dress codes for both genders. What has been highlighted pertains to women.

"Regarding perfume, women are allowed to apply it at home but not in public spaces, as it may lead to fitnah (attracting men, which is not permitted and is a step towards fornication)," Jamia Mosque explained.

Normally, when one wears perfume, the aim is to smell nice, particularly when you are going out to meet someone.

Perfumes in Kenya are hugely popular, so much so that many Kenyans are opting for refillable colognes which are usually sold at small beauty or cosmetic shops at a cheaper price compared to premium products found in supermarkets.

Perfumes Among Muslim Women

Perfumes and cosmetics have been a part of Islamic history for hundreds of years.

Grooming and cleanliness are not only recommended in Islamic practice but are also a requirement for daily activities and religious obligations, and therefore, when it comes to the use of perfumes, it is recommended for practising Muslims with certain guidelines.

One of the hadiths (accounts) that is often referred to in regards to perfume (specifically towards women), is the use of perfumes by women in a public setting outside her home or in the company of non-family members (excluding her husband).

Based on various translations of the accounts, a woman is not to wear perfume in public which can attract the attention of men.

"Scholars have also established various hadiths that warn women not to wear perfume to mosques for the same reason.

"In her house, however, or in the company of family and her husband, or in the company of other women, she may wear any perfume she desires," a post by Umar Dar, Inventor and CEO of Tuesday in Love Halal Nail Polish & Cosmetics, reveals in part on LinkedIn.

A woman spraying perfume on herself. /LINKEDIN

According to a press release sent to Viral Tea, this is a transformative event dedicated to uplifting women in various aspects of their lives.

Scheduled to take place on Saturday, November 11, 2023, at the KALRO Grounds along Waiyaki Way, Nairobi, this event promises to be an inspiring day of discussions, learning, and growth.

Event Overview

The festival is the first-ever women-exclusive event to be held in Kenya and will offer a mix of empowerment sessions, fun games and a relaxing atmosphere that all ladies will love and enjoy.

Advert poster for the 360 Degree Woman Festival featuring an ensemble line-up of panellists. /360DEGREEWOMAN.COM

It encompasses a day of learning, connecting with other women, and a joyous celebration of an unforgettable event that seeks to celebrate every facet of womanhood.

The festival which is curated by Black Dot Limited in partnership with Trace Eastern Africa, Ziara Adventures, AfriBoard Rank, Lilla Signatures, Events Guru, Chixz Auto Garage, and Kenya Nut Company, will feature dynamic panel discussions on three vital themes:

1. Women in the Digital Age: Leading experts will explore the challenges faced by women in the digital space, addressing biases, and providing insights on navigating the ever-changing digital landscape. 
2. Marriage, Children, and Bringing the Sexy Back: Esteemed panellists will discuss self-care, nutrition, balancing family, marriage, and work, offering practical advice on maintaining a harmonious and fulfilling life.
3. Women in Leadership: A Celebration of Strength and Resilience that has seen women rise to the top! 

A series of empowering talks, fireside chats, and networking opportunities will be available throughout the day, fostering a sense of community and mutual support among attendees.

Event Details:

Date: November 11, 2023

Time: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm

Venue: KALRO Grounds, Opposite ABC place on Waiyaki way

Ticket Information: Tickets are available for purchase on its website at https://www.mookh.com/event/the-360-degree-woman-festival 

Ticket Prices

The prices start at Ksh3,350 for early bird and Ksh3,800 at the gate. For a Group of five (5) tickets, this sets you back Ksh17,500

Key Highlights:

1. Engaging Panel Discussions: Expert panels will share insights, personal anecdotes, and actionable strategies on topics crucial to women's empowerment.
2. Interactive Fireside Chats: Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in hands-on workshops, enhancing their skills and knowledge.
3. Networking Opportunities: The festival will provide a platform for attendees to connect, collaborate, and build lasting relationships with like-minded individuals.
4. Fun & Games: A blast from the past allowing women to rekindle their youthful experiences through various indoor and outdoor games.

About The360degreewoman.com

This website is dedicated to empowering women, providing resources, education, and support to foster personal and professional growth.

"Through events like the 360 Degree Woman Festival, we aim to create a positive impact, inspiring women to reach their full potential," the website describes in part.

Collage image of Mirriam Karanja, Njambi Mungai and Naserian Mpeeyia. /VIRALTEAKE

The Royal Couple were honoured with a 21-gun salute at State House after they arrived in the country on Monday night, October 30.

The procession then proceeded to Uhuru Gardens where King Charles was scheduled to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. The King was also scheduled to visit the site where Kenya declared her independence.

What Kenyans however observed from photos of the State House meeting was the ring that King Charles wore on his little finger, a ring which he has been photographed wearing for years.

Viral Tea established that the ring he has been wearing is a signet ring. For thousands of years, men of influence have been donning a wearable form of identification and communication, which the ring represents.

Today, this remarkable ring is a common style accessory that can be worn by any gentleman, with some containing a flat face or fancy engravings on it of something like a heraldic beast, a family coat of arms, or a similar symbol.

According to Gentleman's Gazette, for wealthy and important men, a signet ring was a powerful tool akin to a signature: the engravings on the ring were unique to the man who wore it, and if he used the face of the ring like a seal, he could stamp his symbol into ink, wax, clay, or similar surfaces, and in doing so leave a mark similar to the way that we sign documents today.

A signet ring differs from other rings because of its engraved or raised symbol, series of words or letters, or image on the top half of the ring that is representative of its wearer in some way. It could be a name, initials, job title, rank, organization, or family crest.

Changes in how documents and correspondence are verified and safeguarded mean that signet rings are no longer needed as practical tools to verify or secure documents. It however remains one of the most common types of rings in menswear, thanks in no small part to its unique and fascinating history.

Signet Ring In History

The origins of the signet ring can be traced back to around 3500 BC and the Mesopotamian civilization. To seal and authenticate documents, Mesopotamians would use a rolling seal, similar to a stamp.

This cylindrical device was rolled across wet clay, leaving a distinct impression on it. Clay seals marked in this way were used to seal a variety of important items, including documents and packages for security and identification, as well as jars and containers to prevent tampering.

Because cylindrical seals were relatively difficult to carry around, the Mesopotamians made them more portable by placing the sealing elements onto rings. Not only were rings easier to carry around, allowing the seal to be literally on hand when needed, but they were also more secure: a ring could be worn on one’s person at all times to reduce the likelihood of misplacing the valuable seal or having it stolen.

Many great ancient civilizations employed signet rings in one form or another. In Ancient Egypt, pharaohs, religious leaders, and nobles would wear rings made of stone or a unique glazed pottery type called faience. The rings were flat on the outside and ornately decorated with hieroglyphics used to denote their owner.

During the Early Minoan Age, from roughly 2900 to 2100 BC, signet rings were commonly chiselled out of stone or ivory. Within a few centuries, signet rings were made out of metal and closely resembled modern signet rings.

A man wearing a signet ring. /SILVERY

Signet rings appear in the Bible and Torah, most prominently in the Book of Daniel, which is set around the 6th century BC. When King Darius ordered that Daniel be thrown into a den of lions, a stone was placed over the den, and it was marked with a seal from the signet ring of Darius and his nobles.

Sealing the stone in this way illustrated that Daniel’s punishment was done under the king’s authority and could indicate whether or not anyone had broken the seal to move the stone.

During the Hellenistic Period in Greece and the Early Roman Republic, signet rings continued to be used as official seals, but they also began to take on a more decorative role, with an increasing emphasis on crafting rings that were beautiful to behold and helped to illustrate the wealth and power of their owner.

These signet rings had additional decoration, in the form of gemstones or scrollwork, that appeared on the rings in addition to the faces of the actual seal. While still functional, these signet rings were increasingly viewed as luxury items.

Signet Rings As Security Seals

Historically, signet rings also played a significant role in business and politics. Functioning as a seal, a gentleman would use his ring featuring his unique family crest, emblem, or monogram to stamp important documents.

By dipping the ring into hot wax or soft clay, the ring left a distinct seal that was considered, at the time, to be more official than that of a signature, and this impression helped to solidify the authenticity of the sealed document. For this reason, signet rings are sometimes referred to as seal rings.

The wax or clay into which the impression was made was often placed in such a way as to effectively seal the documents or items on which they were impressed: for instance, over the flaps of a letter.

If someone tampered with the item, they would have to literally break the seal, and because they did not have access to the original ring used to seal the item with an impression, they could not replicate the original seal and, therefore, could not hide the fact that the item had been opened.

In this way, signet rings and seals could be used almost like a security device, making it clear whether or not someone had tampered with an item or read a private letter. This functionality was one of the reasons signet rings were so valuable and of such monumental importance.

King Charles III's Signet Ring

For King Charles, he is believed to have worn the ring since the mid-70s, and as fits a royal, the band is made of gold. Believed to be over 175 years old, the ring dates back to Queen Victoria’s reign over Great Britain.

Mostly worn on the little (pinky) finger of the less-dominant hand, King Charles has sometimes worn his signet ring on his ring finger, together with his wedding band.

King Charles’ signet ring has the official crest of the Prince of Wales, a node to the title he held before becoming the reigning monarch. Prince William, the current Prince of Wales and heir to the throne, also adorns a signet ring.

Recently, signet rings have also been embraced by women, with royals like the late Princess Diana and Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, spotted adorning the rings.

The prestigious award was presented during the grand finale of the Africa's Next Super Model 2023 event hosted on Saturday, October 28, at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi.

She was presented with a dummy cheque of $5,000 (Ksh752,750) in prize money during the event.

Chol stood out among a pool of 36 exceptionally talented contestants from all corners of the continent. Hailing from South Sudan, the 19-year-old not only mesmerized the panel of esteemed judges with her stunning runway presence but also charmed audiences worldwide with her remarkable poise and versatility.

Joan Okorodudu, co-founder of Isis Models International with Chol Khan, the winner of Africa's Next Super Model during an event hosted on October 28, 2023, at Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi. /PHOTO.COURTESY

"Her journey from humble beginnings to the apex of the fashion world stands as an inspiring testament to her resilience, dedication, and unwavering passion for the art of modelling.

"In an industry where diversity and inclusivity are gaining increasing prominence, Chol embodies the spirit of African beauty and culture, breaking barriers and redefining standards of elegance and sophistication. With her radiant smile, captivating presence, and innate ability to effortlessly embody any designer's vision, she has become a beacon of hope for aspiring models across the continent, encouraging them to pursue their dreams with unyielding determination," read in part a statement sent to Viral Tea.

Chol’s triumph at the grand finale of the Africa's Next Super Model 2023 competition, marks a pivotal moment not only for her career but also for the African fashion industry as a whole, underscoring the continent's burgeoning influence and contribution to the global fashion landscape.

As she embarks on this remarkable journey, Chol aims to use her platform to advocate for greater diversity, representation, and inclusivity within the fashion world, paving the way for future generations of African models to follow in her footsteps.

Established with the vision of creating sustainable opportunities and networks for African fashion designers and models, Africa's Next Super Model has played a pivotal role in shaping the careers of numerous aspiring supermodels over the past 14 years.

What initially began as a platform awarding brand new cars to its winners, the initiative evolved to offer substantial cash prizes, lucrative modelling contracts, and exclusive, all-expenses-paid international trips to fashion capitals such as the US, UK, Paris, Milan, and South Africa.

Joan Okorodudu, the CEO of Isis Models International, an agency that identifies, develops, and sustains the careers of beautiful black models said, "The core mission of Africa's Next Super Model is to empower and elevate African talent onto the global stage. By providing a platform for budding models and designers to showcase their skills, we aim to propel them towards successful and profitable careers in the global fashion industry."

Having facilitated the rise of numerous African fashion designers to international prominence, Joan Okorodudu takes pride in Africa's Next Super Model competition’s ability to nurture creativity and foster an environment conducive to success.

This year's event in Nairobi, Kenya, has been captivating, set against the vibrant backdrop of one of the world's top tourist destinations. With an influx of distinguished guests and the participation of various influential media personalities from across Africa, the event showcased the continent's rich cultural diversity and burgeoning fashion scene.

South Sudan embassies, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Music Copyright Society of Kenya (MCSK) CEO Ezekiel Mutua, Dagoretti North Member of Parliament (MP) Beatrice Elachi and Timothy Owase, CEO of Kenya Film Commission attended the event on behalf of Sports Cabinet Secretary (CS) Ababu Namwamba.

Africa's Next Super Model is a prestigious modelling competition that celebrates African culture, diversity, and talent.

It provides a platform for models and designers from across the African continent to showcase their skills and creativity on an international stage.

Attendees at the Africa's Next Super Model event hosted on October 28, 2023, at Radisson Blu Hotel in Nairobi. /PHOTO.COURTESY

We are all constantly reminded to get our eight glasses a day, or actually quite a bit more according to Mayo Clinic. Water also plays a vital role every morning you get up and brush your teeth.

How exactly then, can the type of water affect your dental health? We all know that fizzy drinks, fruit juice and sugary foods can cause significant damage to your teeth, but little is known about the type of water that can damage your teeth and force you to spend plenty of money on getting them fixed.

Viral Tea takes a look at the different types of water and how they can affect your teeth:

Bottled Water

Bottled water is the popular upmarket choice for lots of people, with many of us noting the superior taste. However, some dentists may not recommend bottled water.

An image of bottled water. /KENYAN WALLSTREET

The first thing to remember is that bottled water is susceptible to bacteria once you break the seal, especially if it’s allowed to warm up to room temperature. You often drink tap water in one sitting whereas that bottled water in your bag isn’t doing much good for your dental hygiene.

Most bottled water also lacks fluoride, an essential part of dental health. If you drink mostly bottled water, you might want to consider adding a fluoride supplement to your diet. That way you can drink as much bottled water as you like and still keep your teeth happy.

Here are some tips to consider when drinking bottled water. Make sure to choose water with a Potential of Hydrogen (PH) [a measure of the acidity or alkalinity of a solution] level over 5 because the enamel in human teeth starts to erode at a PH level under 5.5. PH can range from 0 to 14.

Tap Water

It is arguably one of the easiest sources of water in terms of accessibility in Kenya, either located in residential homes or among water-filling points in informal settlements.

Most dentists recommend drinking standard tap water because patients can benefit from a number of minerals, including calcium, magnesium, and phosphorous. But the biggest dental benefit from tap water is fluoride.

Although fluoride itself can be a topic of debate these days, drinking fluoridated tap water has reduced cavity occurrence in adults and children by about 25% according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In addition, the American Dental Association (ADA) provides a comprehensive list of health organizations which endorse tap water fluoridation.

The lack of fluoride in bottled water however can be harmful to your teeth, thus it is important to drink the bottle of water within 30 minutes. Just like sucking on sugary hard candy, sipping water with a lower PH level will cause the enamel on your teeth to erode and the longer you take to drink the water, the more damage can be done.

It is important to note that fluoride exists naturally in water and many other sources. Fluoride doesn’t heal or reverse preexisting tooth decay, but it can help prevent new cavities from starting.

Sparkling Water

Any drink with carbonation, including sparkling water, has a higher acid level, and some reports have questioned whether sipping sparkling water will weaken your tooth enamel.

Sparkling water or carbonated water can be slightly more acidic than your average glass. That’s because the carbonation comes from carbon dioxide, which turns into carbonic acid in your mouth and it is what gives sparkling water its zesty, tangy flavour.

However, it appears that it’s not acidic enough to cause any real issues. In a study where donated teeth were allowed to sit in either tap water or sparkling water, no significant difference in erosion was observed.

It is worth noting that carbonated water which is flavored or sweetened in some way is no longer just plain water with bubbles and could potentially have a higher acidity that harms your teeth. That includes adding a simple squeeze of lemon or lime.

Having sparkling water with a meal may also help prevent any small risk of enamel erosion because the meal stimulates saliva flow.

Well Water

There has been an increase in the drilling of wells across Kenya to provide alternative sources of water to residents, sparing them from rationing that may occur courtesy of water supply companies like Nairobi Water.

Well water is generally more of a hard water, meaning that it carries higher mineral content. If your primary residence runs on well water, it would be beneficial to get the water tested every now and then.

Dentists’ main concern is understanding how much fluoride is in the water. If it is too little, it won’t prevent cavities, but too much of it can lead to discolouration of teeth.

By getting your water tested, you can also get an idea of the presence of other minerals, including calcium, magnesium, sodium, and phosphorus. Since tap water is regulated, the levels of these minerals are always known, whereas with well water it is a gamble unless recently tested.

Provided that you’ve got a good balance of all of these minerals in your well water, then this is a great (and cheap) source of water which promotes oral health and protects teeth.

Salt Water

As much as it is known that salt water is not great for drinking, the answer to whether we should use it for our oral care is 'maybe'.

Rinsing with salt water has a number of potential benefits. It can help protect teeth and fight off bad bacteria, but use too much salt, rinse with it too often, or take in too much sodium from your food – and you might dry your mouth out. That would have the opposite effect, promoting the growth of bacteria and possibly irritating mucous membranes inside your mouth.

Rinsing with salt water could be considered a medicinal effort, which is why it is great to try 24 hours after minor dental surgery, for mouth sores, on a sore throat, or even as a backup plan if no mouthwash or toothpaste is available. Despite the risk of overdoing the salt water rinse, it does seem to irritate mucous membranes less than some commercial mouthwash options.

Image of a shallow water well in Kenya. /SAMSAM WATER FOUNDATION

Colgate recommends adding half a teaspoon of salt to one cup of lukewarm water and rinsing no more than 4 times per day.

Hot and Cold Water

For the most part, it doesn’t matter much whether water is hot or cold, as long as it's plain. The main concern dentists have with water temperatures is to not burn your mouth or damage the bristles of a toothbrush with very hot water.

For sensitive patients, hot or cold water may result in discomfort. If this lasts for several hours after drinking, be sure to ask your dentist about it at your next visit.

The discomfort from hot or cold water could be a sign of receding gums or enamel erosion, in which case there are procedures, lifestyle adjustments, or special kinds of toothpaste that may help.

It’s also worth noting that once you take plain hot water and turn it into tea or coffee (especially if sweetened) – the temperature does matter. Naturally occurring chemicals and sugar can react in your mouth to cause enamel erosion problems, at which point the hotter the liquid, the faster the reactions, the worse its effects.

On Wednesday, October 25, the British High Commission went viral with photos of some of its Royal convoy to be used during the King and Queen's visit, customised with unique matatu graffiti that has become part and parcel of the country's popular matatu culture.

The mini-vans have been transformed into varicoloured canvases that incorporate custom United Kingdom (UK) airbrush flags, digital printouts, and vinyl decals.

Visual Features

Sonko was accompanied to a liquor store by an entire motorcade consisting of a GMC Sierra 1500 Pickup Truck which he was driving, two Lexus LX 570 SUVs and a Mercedes Benz in chrome-green paint.

The former county boss was received by his aides at the store along Kiambu Road where he purchased six brands of Whiskey at Ksh1,029,000.

In a video he shared on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sonko was captured buying one of the alcoholic drinks priced at Ksh221,000 while his aides assisted in pushing the trolley loaded with the exquisite drinks around, all the way to the counter.

Watch it below:

HAPPY BELATED BIRTHDAY, MY FORMER BUDDY UHURU MUIGAI KENYATTA.
It is written in the book of Mathew 5:43. "Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." I celebrate the former President H.E Uhuru Muigai Kenyatta. May the Good Lord give him good health and long life as… pic.twitter.com/ZETZQ60pjQ

— Mike Sonko (@MikeSonko) October 28, 2023

During payment, Sonko showcased the final bill, read out by the cashier, which stood out at Ksh1.03 million. He cleared the bill using his debit card and supervised his aides as they loaded the precious gifts into his GMC pickup truck.

Afterwards, he stood on the sidelines and serenaded Uhuru with a birthday song.

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you, dear Kenyatta

Happy birthday to you

Ahmednasir was reacting to photos of Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria dressed in camouflaged military regalia ahead of the unveiling of the National Youth Service (NYS) Re-engineering programme at the NYS headquarters in Ruaraka, Nairobi County on Wednesday, October 25.

In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the lawyer turned into a temporary fashion critic by mocking Kuria's choice of attire, claiming that he was still exuding childhood behaviours.

He also claimed that CSs were leaning more into military uniforms as compared to the official dress code (mostly suits), adding that they were making a laughing stock of the dockets they hold.

CS Moses Kuria wears NYS regalia ahead of the inaugural ceremony parade at the NYS Headquarters in Ruaraka on October 25, 2023. /MOSES KURIA

“H.E. William Ruto should enforce a strict dress code on his ministers. I don't like cabinet secretaries Hon Moses Kuria living their childhood fantasies or trying to impress their village mates at taxpayers' expense by dressing in jungle military regalia with their names and titles printed on it.

“This fetish obsession with military uniforms by his Ministers makes a complete nonsense/joke of the offices they hold,” stated Ahmednasir.

Some netizens however supported Kuria's decision to don the regalia, with user Abuga Makori believing that the CS was displaying his authority with his new role in the Public Service.

"It is just a symbol of authority. The garments and not even close to what the military wears," Makori argued.

Another user commented, "This is not military; it is NYS regalia." 

NYS officers usually don jungle-green uniforms from meticulously arranged headgear to polished black boots to show unity and discipline.

Ahmednasir's comments came a day after Head of Public Service and Chief of Staff Felix Koskei slammed civil servants for their inadequate compliance with working hours, dress codes, official languages, the code of conduct, and standards of norms.

While lamenting how the work culture in the public service has extremely deteriorated, to unacceptable levels, Koskei called on Human Resource managers to ensure they gatekeep the culture in government departments to ensure that standards are maintained.

“Let us not drop our guard. You need to know that as a human resource officer, director, and manager all officers, and employees are looking upon you,” Koskei said.

He also raised complaints regarding the lack of professionalism in the government in areas like promotion, deployment, designation, and staff development.

“As you know and as I am aware, in our institutions we have what we call career trainees, somebody moving from one training to another one, changing clothes at the airport, who attend every training seminar and conference," he commented.

The Chief of Staff and Head of Public Service Felix Koskei during the 27th Annual National Human Resource Management Conference at a Naivasha hotel on October 24, 2023. /PCS

The Bill, Penal Code (Amendment) Bill, 2023, presented by Chief Justice Martha Koome to Parliament is aimed at making amendments regarding the classification of capital and criminal offences in the country.

Currently, sex work, also known as prostitution, is an offence in Kenya punishable by up to three years in prison as highlighted in Sections 153, 154 and 155 of the Constitution.

A photo of sex workers in Kenya. /X

However, the Judiciary is proposing to delete the three sections in the Penal Code meaning the offences, should the bill be assented to Law by President William Ruto, would cease to exist.

Section 153 currently defines male prostitution as a male person who lives on the earnings of prostitution or is proven to live with a prostitute or has aided in the act of prostitution and is guilty of a felony.

"The principal Act is amended by deleting section 153 which states: Every male person who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of prostitution; or in any public place persistently solicits or importunes for immoral purposes, is guilty of a felony," reads part of the Penal Code.

"Where a male person is proved to live with or to be habitually in the company of a prostitute or is proved to have exercised control, direction or influence over the movements of a prostitute in such a manner as to show that he is aiding, abetting or compelling her prostitution with any other person, or generally, he shall unless he satisfies the court to the contrary be deemed to be knowingly living on the earnings of prostitution."

Section 154 of the Penal Code sees the same offence applied to women.

"Every woman who knowingly lives wholly or in part on the earnings of prostitution, or who is proved to have, for the purpose of gain, exercised control, direction or influence over the movements of a prostitute in such a manner as to show that she is aiding, abetting or compelling her prostitution with any person, or generally, is guilty of a felony," reads part of the Penal Code.

Furthermore, Section 155 provides that in any house that is used for the purpose of prostitution and the inhabitants live on the earnings of the act, a magistrate is required to issue a warrant authorising any police officer to enter and search the house and arrest such persons.

In Kenya, a country where 34 to 42% of the population lives below their means, according to the World Bank, prostitution has become a rampant survival strategy, despite being frowned upon.

Across the country, more than 200,000 workers operate in the sex business. Nairobi alone has more than 40,000 sex workers.

However, the lack of regulation in the sector leads to systematic violations of women's rights.

Other issues include social stigma, violence by customers or police, unjustified arrests and a situation that can lead to serious physical and mental consequences.

The Judiciary building in Nairobi. /FILE

Case in point, you are with your friends on a night out and take a sip of your favourite drink. The first sip tastes like metal and just to confirm, you take a second sip and wonder if it was brewed within underground dens instead of verified distillers.

With the festive season approaching where drinks are expected to be in mass circulation, authenticating the genuineness of a drink by Kenyan consumers is imperative. This is because counterfeit products pose health risks and undermine the reputation of genuine brands. 

A consignment of fake alcohol recovered by DCI detectives on October 18, 2023. /DCI

Fortunately, there are several features available to help consumers verify genuine alcohol. Viral Tea takes a look at various methods to determine the genuineness of alcohol in Kenya:

Bottle and Label Inspection

Check the bottle’s quality, including the material, cap, and seal. Genuine drinks have consistently high-quality packaging. In case of a change in packaging, the manufacturer usually lets the public know.

Inspect the label for any signs of tampering, such as mismatched colours, uneven printing, or peeling edges. Genuine products have well-designed and securely attached labels.

Barcodes, QR Codes & Soma Label

Scan the barcode or QR code on the bottle using a smartphone or a dedicated scanner. Genuine alcohol has valid and consistent codes.

In Kenya, the most used form of verification is the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) sticker and barcode which are often difficult to replicate and indicate authenticity.

Alternatively, one can use the Soma Label system courtesy of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), which is a free application designed to enable the public to authenticate consumer products. This initiative is part of KRA’s comprehensive strategy to bolster market oversight and combat the proliferation of counterfeit goods.

Soma Label has a mobile app that comes in handy when one is purchasing goods in local stores. In accordance with the law, a range of products are mandated to bear excise tax stamps. These products include wines, spirits, beer, bottled water, juices, soda, energy drinks, cigarettes, and other tobacco items.

How To Use Soma Label App

1. Download the Soma Label app from the Google Play Store and Apple App Store (for iPhone users)
2. After accepting the Terms & Conditions, click on the “scan” option.
3. Click on “Scan QR Code” OR “Scan Data Matrix” depending on the type of sticker and align the code within the frame to scan
4. Also, scan the barcode
5. You will be asked for confirmation of the sticker. If it is the right sticker, click yes. The information about the drink will be displayed
6. If there is an issue with the stamp, report it.

KRA Tax stamps are equipped with multiple security features and are individually numbered with encrypted data codes. The encrypted data codes on each stamp are seamlessly integrated into a track and trace system.

The system maintains individualized information for each product. Track and trace systems oversee the progression of raw materials and components as they move through the supply chain, through manufacturing, distribution, and into the hands of consumers.

This system provides specific insights into the exact company plant and production sector where a product is manufactured.

It also facilitates the tracing of a product’s journey from raw materials through manufacturing to the consumer, or even in the reverse direction. That is, from the consumer back to the factory and the raw materials.

An illustration of the Soma Label app. /TECHWEEZ

Check Expiry Date

Boxed wines, beers and cream liqueurs have expiry dates. Manufacturers are required by law to display the expiry date on the packaging, making it essential for consumers to carefully read and verify it. 

By avoiding expired drinks, you can protect their health and ensure they are purchasing a drink that is safe to consume. Taking the time to check the expiry date is an important step in making informed choices to ensure the genuineness of the drink.

Check Alcohol Content

To verify the authenticity of liquor, you can examine its alcohol content.

In Kenya, the law stipulates that alcoholic beverages must not exceed 60 per cent alcohol content. If the measured alcohol content exceeds this limit, it may indicate that the liquor is counterfeit.

Taste, Smell and Colour

This method is subjective but can be useful. Familiarize yourself with the taste, smell and colour of the genuine drink by trying it from a reliable source.

If the drink’s taste, smell or colour significantly differs, it could be an indication of a counterfeit product.

Purchase from Trusted Sources

Buy drinks from the manufacturer or authorized and reputable outlets. These sources are more likely to sell genuine products.

During an interview with Citizen Digital on Saturday, October 21, the 24-year-old revealed that the officer attempted to touch her while she drove through State House road following their altercation at the Nairobi Central Business District (CBD) captured on video which went viral across social media platforms.

She added that she was enraged at the officer allegedly invading her personal space in a seeming bid to diffuse the intense argument between the two, citing attempted assault on her part.

Ntazola disclosed that she had repeatedly reprimanded him for his actions but her words fell on the officer's deaf ears.

"He's trying to touch me and that is why I was shouting at him, like 'do not even touch me'. The moment you touch me, that is assault. First, you came inside my car without my permission, I asked you politely to leave my car and you refused.

"I'm trying to show you that this is wrong, you still touch me...no, it's not going to happen," she revealed, however clarifying that the officer was not violent towards her.

The TikToker who owns two businesses in the city defended her move to lock the officer in her car through lock systems that prevented him from escaping, in a bid to teach him a lesson regarding entering her vehicle without her consent, firing a warning shot to other kanjo officers notorious for bypassing the rights of Kenyans.

"I'm not a scared person, my dad drives me so well. I don't take BS (sic) from oppressors...if you want to oppress me, do it from the powers of the high most where we can't face each other directly. But if you come into my personal space and want to oppress me? I'll deal with you on a very personal level," she described her character.

Ntazola further recounted driving him through the Nairobi Expressway to Kitengela where she abandoned him to look for his own means of getting back to the CBD with his own money.

"It is the furthest you can drive (from Nairobi to Kitengela) so I opted for Kitengela because there is the Expressway...I didn't want to have problems along the road, I wanted him to have a very safe trip with me," she explained.

She further slammed the vile actions of the kanjo officers with many city residents complaining about their habits, including raids on multiple mayai smokie businesses in the city on the basis of not being in possession of health documents, as Viral Tea reported.

On losing her TikTok account after she shared the clip, Ntazola revealed that this was a result of violating Community Guidelines by using strong words, stating "The only word I'm very sorry I used is the 'dog' (umbwa) word because I was very triggered."

Regarding Nairobi Acting County Secretary Patrick Analo's accusation towards her of breaking the law by holding the officer against his will and driving him to Kitengela, Ntazola denied kidnapping the officer, further imploring Analo to establish how the Kanjo officer ended up inside her car in the first place.

"Kidnap is coming there, I find you seated in your peace, I grab you by force, I put you inside my car and I drive off. It is not you coming inside of this car by force, without my consent.

"I asked you several times to leave my car and you didn't leave, that is not kidnap...I was doing it out of self-defence," she defended, arguing that she was not scared of any future threats. 

She also dismissed any future conversations with the officer in the event they crossed paths again, even as the Nairobi County government promised to take disciplinary action against the officer following the ordeal.

A photo of Nairobi kanjo officers in old uniform. /FILE

The woman known as Ntazola Gloria lamented that the social media platform banned her account after it was widely reported regarding the incident which went viral. Spot checks by Viral Tea on her account confirm this.

“TikTok got rid of my account, it’s permanently banned, this is my new account,” she shared on her Instagram page.

Ntazola used the opportunity to explain to her followers the incident which began when the county officer gained access to her car out of the blue while she was parking in town to attend to her errands.

Nairobi inspectorate officers along City Hall Way on November 16, 2021. /THE STAR

She argued that this was no isolated incident as the same officer repeatedly made attempts to enter her car without her consent.

"When that guy entered my car it was without my permission. I was trying to just park my car in town. That was not his first time. He has done that to me a lot of times so I was just tired of him,” she once again defended her online rant at the Kanjo man.

“I’m safe, I’m okay. I’ve lost my TikTok account, it’s okay and at least people have seen what these do to other people. How they treat people is not cool. Yeah, so you can follow my new account.”

Ntazola went on to disclose that she was going to be taking a break from TikTok for an unspecified period, imploring Governor Johnson Sakaja to address the recent conduct of county officers across the city.

In the five-minute video seen by Viral Tea, Ntazola was heard angrily and verbally compelling the officer to explain why he entered her car in response to an alleged parking offence.

Surprised by the officer's daring actions, she defended herself by stating that she did not commit any offence to warrant him entering her car.

"Why have you entered my car? Why are you people like that? Was that an offence to make you get into my car?

"I'm going with you to my destination because why would you get into my car? Are you a traffic police?" she posed in anger.

The officer took a defensive stance by insisting that there must have been a misunderstanding and suggested that they could have resolved the matter without resorting to such measures.

He could be heard pleading with Ntazola for forgiveness for his actions just as she was threatening to drive to her destination with him inside.

"Don't be like that, madam, please. You could just explain yourself, madam. Why are you abusing me? Can't we speak?" the officer begged

"I'm going with you to my place. We are going to Ngong town. I am not going to work now because you wanted a road trip," she retorted. 

The officer was then seen making a phone call to his colleague and informed him that they were along State House Road. Towards the end of the clip, they were seen driving along the Nairobi Expressway, all while the lady expressed her frustration. 

While the law does not adversely mention the regulations for county enforcement officers entering private cars, the Traffic Act 2015 section (12) explains circumstances under which a police officer can enter a private vehicle.

According to the Act, any police officer with a uniform is allowed to stop any vehicle on the road and enter it during routine inspections.

Here is the video:

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"It shall be lawful for any police officer in uniform to stop any vehicle, and for any police officer, licensing officer or inspector, (a) to enter any vehicle; (b) to drive any vehicle or cause any vehicle to be driven; 

"(c) upon reasonable suspicion of any offence under this Act, to order and require the owner of any vehicle to bring the vehicle to him," the Traffic Act (CAP 403) reads in part.

It further states that any person who fails to comply with any instructions given under this section shall be guilty of an offence and liable on a first conviction, to a fine not exceeding Ksh30,000, and for a second or subsequent conviction, to a fine not exceeding Ksh50,000 or to imprisonment for a term of one year.

An internal email dated Thursday, October 12 seen by Viral Tea revealed that the two items will not be allowed in the university's offices, classrooms and other official gatherings.

The university revealed that it noted with concern the increasing violation of its dress code, affirming that "Our appearance communicates a lot about who we are."

"Yes, appearance matters, whether we like it or not; it can influence how others perceive us and can affect our confidence and self-esteem.

Image of a woman wearing a pair of crocs. /FACEBOOK.CROCS KENYA

"Developing professionals is part of our mission in Daystar University, and adherence to our dress code and decorum is critical to that end," the email read in part.

The university urged students to familiarise themselves with the dress code policy as stipulated in the Student Handbook and the manuals available at its gates.

"In addition, please note that slippers and crocs will not be allowed in Daystar offices. classrooms and other official gatherings," added the email.

Speaking to Viral Tea, a source at the university confirmed the ban, though clarified that the directive was not recent and has been in place for quite some time.

Though the ban was implemented in its Nairobi campus, it was unclear whether it also stretched to the Athi River campus whose off-campus residences are located nearby.

Daystar University is a Christ-centred non-denominational institution of higher learning which exists to equip Christian servant leaders for the transformation of church and society.

According to its official website, students should dress decently in order to glorify God and encourage each other in the Lord as opposed to being stumbling blocks to one another.

"The biblical perspective of hairstyle and dress for both men and ladies is cleanliness and modesty. Modesty includes all that which is morally, socially and reasonably acceptable. The measuring yard is the Bible. God was the first to dress man as documented in the book of Genesis. He had a purpose.

"However, the Bible does not give us specifics but rather gives us principles on which to build our thinking and modes of operation and behaviour. Dressing is a very clear means of communicating our value system," the university explains.

Daystar's dress code policies can be accessed here.

On Wednesday, October 11, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) in Kakamega County outlawed the following items from its dress code, terming them "not official":

1. Micro/mini-skirts
2. Skin-tight trousers
3. Ragged/torn/ripped jeans.
4. Tumbo-cut blouses/T-shirts
5. Low-cut blouses/dresses
6. Micro shorts, and
7. Transparent dresses.

Also banned were attires that show bra straps or sleeveless T-shirts.

T-shirts with obscene writings, sagging trousers and clothing that reveals the chest, as well as ragged/torn/ripped jeans, and "crocs" were also struck out from MMUST's dress code.

"Please note that slippers, crocs and all plastic shoes are not official wear, and should not be worn in the University," the university stated in its internal memo, requesting all students to dress decently.

A building at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). /MASINDE MULIRO UNIVERSITY

According to an internal memo dated Wednesday, October 11 and seen by Viral Tea, the institution’s Dean of Students Bernardatte Abwao raised concerns regarding the increase in what it termed as an "indecent dressing" by some of its learners.

Abwao went on to advise the students regarding the importance of dressing in decent attire whenever they step onto campus grounds.

A building at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). /MASINDE MULIRO UNIVERSITY

"I take this opportunity to appreciate all the students who dress decently when they come to the University. However, we have observed and noted with concern the indecent dressing by some of you.

"As a student, you are expected to dress decently in modest and appropriate attire," read the memo in part.

MMUST went on to outlaw the following items from its dress code, terming them "not official":

1. Micro/mini-skirts
2. Skin-tight trousers
3. Ragged/torn/ripped jeans.
4. Tumbo-cut blouses/T-shirts
5. Low-cut blouses/dresses
6. Micro shorts, and
7. Transparent dresses.

Also banned are attires that show bra straps or sleeveless T-shirts.

T-shirts with obscene writings, sagging trousers and clothing that reveals the chest, as well as ragged/torn/ripped jeans, and "crocs" were also struck out from MMUST's dress code.

"Please note that slippers, crocs and all plastic shoes are not official wear, and should not be worn in the University," added Abwao, requesting all students to dress decently.

MMUST, according to its philosophy on its official website, holds the view that science and technology are indispensable tools in harnessing resources of nature for sustainable development and creating an environment in which human beings can survive and realize their potential.

"Thus, the human person has the moral obligation to creatively improve the environment. This can be achieved through a well-conceptualized educational, scientific and technological package through which every human being must rightfully experience and acquire the tools to facilitate this mission," indicates the website.

The university was founded through Harambee spirit on January 5, 1972, as Western College of Arts and Applied Sciences (WECO) under the stewardship of the former fiery Member of Parliament (MP), Henry Pius Masinde Muliro.

MMUST joins a growing list of universities in Kenya imposing official dress codes despite the criticism they generated for trying to turn the tertiary institutions into carbon copies of high schools.

The Kenya University Student Organization (KUSO), through its president, Antony Manyara, urged all university students across the country to ignore new directives ignored by universities such as Kenya Methodist University (KeMU) and the University of Eldoret regarding dress code.

He argued on Sunday, January 22 that there is no approved law, policy or set of regulations that have been passed globally or approved by stakeholders in the institutions of higher learning regarding dress code rules in Kenya.

Manyara further called upon all university students to shun any dress code policies imposed on them by their respective institutions, terming them oppressive and retrogressive to student life on campus.

This is according to Culture and Heritage Principal Secretary Ummi Bashir who spoke on Tuesday, October 10 during the Utamaduni Day celebrations at the Bomas of Kenya.

Bashir, while posing why Kenya does not possess its own national dress code, revealed that the government would consult Kenyans before having a national dress which would likely debut during next year's Utamaduni Day; October 10, 2024.

CS Peninah Malonza and PS Ummi Bashir accompany First Lady, Rachel Ruto during the Utamaduni Day celebrations at Bomas of Kenya on October 10, 2023. /PENINAH MALONZA

“Kenya does not have a national dress, do we? That is something that we are working on and we promise by the next Utamaduni Day we will consult and have at least a Kenyan national dress,” Bashir stated.

On her part, First Lady Rachel Ruto, who was the chief guest during the event, urged Kenyans to explore and experience diverse cultures from communities countrywide.

“As we celebrate this day let it be a reminder of our commitment to loving and supporting brand Kenya, and our diverse cultures.

"Let us take the initiative to explore different counties, immerse ourselves in their unique cultures, and contribute to the growth of domestic tourism in our great and beautiful country,” said the First Lady.

She further encouraged Kenyans, particularly the youth, to embrace Kenya's culture wholeheartedly, adding "I urge all of us to explore opportunities that exist and are not fully tapped into yet present huge growth potential."

Leaders present during the fete included the Head of Public Service Felix Koskei, Cabinet Secretary for EAC, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development Peninah Malonza and her Public Service counterpart Moses Kuria.

The demonstrations, which saw the UDA MP and other politicians lead the protests, were held at the same time another group demonstrated in Mombasa on Friday, October, all calling for the ruling to be invalidated.

The demonstration began in both towns after the midday Jumu’ah prayers, with the Christian faithful joining in later on.

In one video seen by Viral Tea, a group of Muslim women during the protests chanted "Hatutaki Ruto na Ruto, tunataka Ruto na Rachel (We don't want Ruto and Ruto...we want Ruto and Rachel)" in reference to President William Ruto and his wife, First Lady Rachel Ruto.

Here's the video courtesy of SPM Buzz:

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This was one of their ways of dissenting the ruling which gave an impetus to same-sex relationships and marriages.

"We won’t tolerate Western ideologies. Remember brothers, it’s a peaceful walk," Jamia Mosque in Nairobi posted on social media images of MP Mohammed leading the peaceful demonstrations.

The protests however had a twist compared to previous editions as no police officers were spotted manning the streets nor dispersing the protesters who ground traffic and normal operations across Nairobi and Mombasa to a halt.

According to the videos circulated widely, protesters assembled at the Supreme Court buildings at the intersection of Taifa Road and City Hall Way, next to the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) to voice their concerns.

Some also chanted Islamic phrases, the Quran, and anti-LGBTQ slogans, while another section condemned Ruto's government for its silence on the matter. 

Others slammed the five-judge bench that upheld the right of the National Gay and Lesbian Human Rights Commission (NGLHRC) to register in February 2023 while others called for the Supreme Court judges to either trash the ruling or resign, failure to which they would mobilise efforts to remove them from office.

The highest court in the land on Friday, February 24 dismissed an appeal by the government to bar registration of a gays and lesbians lobby groups, ending an 11-year legal battle by activists seeking the official registration of an LGBTQ+ organisation in Kenya.

According to the five-judge bench's ruling, the Court observed that neither the NGO Coordination Act nor the NGO Regulations provide for any internal dispute resolution mechanism for the administrative action concerned.

Deputy Chief Justice Philomena Mwilu and Justices Smokin Wanjala and Njoki Ndung'u ruled on the majority side of the issue, which the Court was emphatic that an Act of Parliament must clearly provide for an internal dispute resolution mechanism before an aggrieved party can be bound by such a mechanism.

In addition, the refusal by the NGOs Coordination Board to register the lobby group would violate human rights based on sexual orientation. However, the court held that the country’s law - Section 162 of the Penal Code  -that prohibits “unnatural offences” (defined as having carnal knowledge with any man, woman or animal against the order of nature) is binding.

"The Court determined that the use of the word “sex” under Article 27(4) does not connote the act of sex per se but refers to the sexual orientation of any gender, whether heterosexual, lesbian, gay, intersex, or otherwise. It was of the view that the word “including” under the same Article is not exhaustive, but only illustrative and would also comprise “freedom from discrimination based on a person’s sexual orientation," the apex court ruled in part.

The court also stood firm on its decision in September, dismissing a petition by Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma that had sought to overturn its ruling.

The ruling came amidst Kaluma's plans to criminalize homosexuality in Kenya through proposed legislation.

Photo of protesters holding demonstrations over Supreme Court ruling on LGBTQ on October 6, 2023, in Nairobi. /JAMIA MOSQUE

Nakhumicha was responding to questions from Members of Parliament (MP) at the National Assembly when nominated MP Sabina Chege rose on a point of order and put the CS to task in explaining why the popular drug which previously was named Lyft, was currently on sale across retail stores and kiosks.

Kagwe had in October 2020 declared the registration of nicotine pouches, including BAT's popular product Lyft, illegal and called for their deregistration. Three years later, however, the drug assumed an international identity under the VELO brand and has been sold for close to Ksh350.

Chege had gone to the point of showcasing the popular drug to her fellow MPs, cautioning them that she would not open them owing to their highly addictive nature before CS Nakhumicha took to respond.

An image of tins of VELO. /FACEBOOK.LYFT VELO KENYA

"VELO is one of the tobacco products that the industry introduced to the market as countries tighten the regulations on tobacco smoking," she began, making reference to the Tobacco Control Act of 2007.

The Act, under which all tobacco products and nicotine pouches are regulated, demands that the wrapping of these products should carry warning messages in both English and Kiswahili languages.

For smokeless tobacco products, it stipulates that such warning messages both in text and picture form should occupy at least 30 per cent of the front cover and 50 per cent of the back.

VELO, short for Velocity Enhancer and Learning Optimiser, is a non-pharmaceutical substance but a nicotine-derived substance composed of organic nicotine derived from tobacco leaf, hence is derived from adherence to the regulations of the Tobacco Act.

According to Nakhumicha, VELO consists of the following ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, water, salt, sucralose, citric acid, and artificial flavor.

"The nicotine content of VELO can be as high as the nicotine content of other tobacco products such as conventional cigarettes, traditional smokeless tobacco and heated tobacco products," she went on, adding that the VELO products contain different flavours and additives which suppress the smell of tobacco and make it attractive and acceptable to users.

Nakhumicha further noted that the regulatory mechanisms to restrict access to VELO, nicotine and its salts are classified under Part One poisons under the Poisons List confirmation order through Cap 244 of the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB), informing the initial basis of the regulation of nicotine pouches under the brand name Lyft.

"However, Cap 244 excludes nicotine that occurs naturally in tobacco. Therefore, the then Health CS in 2021 directed that nicotine pouches including Lyft be regulated as a tobacco product under the Tobacco Control Act of 2007 and require that they meet the requirements for tobacco products," she continued.

She further noted that despite Lyft no longer being in the market, VELO, manufactured by the British American Tobacco (BAT) and sold by its Kenyan arm, is regulated as a tobacco product under the Act, adding that her Ministry was in the process of reviewing the legislative and regulatory frameworks to address the new and emerging tobacco products.

Nakhumicha however clarified that the sale of tobacco to and by minors is prohibited by the Act and all sellers of the tobacco product are required to verify the age of the purchaser, the same Act that bars the sale of objects resembling tobacco products to minors under the age of 18.

"VELO is a rebrand of BAT's Lyft which was recalled from the Kenyan market following a directive by the former CS. It hit the Kenyan market in June 2022 following a moratorium that was issued on June 15, 2022.

"The said Lyft was not banned but its registration and regulation were changed from Pharmacy and Poisons Act Cap 244 to regulation under the Tobacco Control Act 2007," she explained why Lyft found its way back to the market under VELO.

VELO was viewed as part of BAT's idea of diversify its product line beyond cigarettes and has successfully added tobacco-heating products, traditional oral products (Grizzly), vapour products or electronic cigarettes and modern oral products.

Sale of nicotine pouches in Kenya was stopped in 2019 after the country’s health ministry queried why they were regulated by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board and not the Tobacco Control Board under the Tobacco Act of 2007.

Their sale was allowed in 2022 after consensus that they should be regulated by TCB, meaning that they are treated as tobacco products.

A Lyft nicotine pouch. /FILE

The Tourism Fund on Tuesday, October 3 put Airbnb hosts on notice over failure to register and pay the Tourism Levy which is charged to all facilities that offer accommodation services.

The Fund is set to meet with Airbnb Africa officials so as to identify investors who have not registered their businesses by scanning the online booking landscape in the country.

This could mean that the Fund could explore methods in convincing the global homestay host platform to deduct and remit the levy directly to the government.

The headquarters of Tourism Fund. /TOURISM FUND

On Thursday, September 21, she was hit with a new kind of pressure; addressing the plight of healthcare workers and those in the police force who encounter occupational hazards daily at the cost of their mental health.

It is for this reason that Mindful Kenya, a service that makes it easier for people to get the best mental health care for them, penned an open letter to the Second Lady appealing for her intervention in terms of those working in the two categories considered by many as Kenya's primary essential service providers.

Read the full letter below:

An Urgent Plea to Pastor Dr Dorcas Rigathi: Championing Mental Health Screenings for Kenya's At-Risk Heroes

Dear Pastor Dr. Dorcas Rigathi,

Mindful Kenya, a beacon of hope in the realm of mental health, reaches out with a heartfelt request, inspired by your life’s work and relentless passion for uplifting the vulnerable.

Kenya Police officers during a past parade. /KENYA POLICE SERVICE

Our healthcare workers and police forces stand on the frontline every day, braving emotional and physical storms to protect our beloved nation. But in their valiant efforts, they too bear the scars of mental trauma.

They see pain and suffering daily, confront life-altering decisions, and carry the weight of our nation's safety on their shoulders. Their mental well-being, often neglected, is at significant risk.

Enter Mindful Kenya’s vision: affordable, accessible, and regular mental health screenings. With a cost of less than Ksh100 monthly, we've devised a system that detects early mental health challenges, ensuring treatment is timely, less painful, and affordable.

But to truly make a difference, we need the support of insurance companies –a formidable challenge without the backing of a powerful voice. Your support not only amplifies the urgency of this initiative but also galvanizes institutions like MAKL (Medical Administrators Kenya Limited) and NHIF to play their part in this transformative journey.

This is where we seek your intervention, Pastor Dorcas. With your influence and unwavering dedication to the well-being of Kenyans, you can be that powerful voice.

By advocating for our cause, we can ensure that our frontline heroes receive the mental health support they so desperately need.

The benefits of such screenings are manifold:

1. Early Detection: Timely identification can prevent a minor issue from snowballing into a debilitating condition.

2. Improved Overall Health: Mental well-being is intricately tied to physical health. Addressing one can positively influence the other.

3. Enhanced Productivity: A contented and mentally healthy individual can function better, bringing more efficiency to the workplace.

4. Reduced Stigma: Regular screenings normalize discussions around mental health, thus gradually diminishing the associated stigma.

Imagine a Kenya where our protectors are mentally resilient, where they serve without the shadow of untreated trauma looming over them. You, Pastor Dorcas, with your legacy of empowerment and care, can help make this dream a reality.

In the words of Psalm 82:3, “Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed.” Our heroes, though strong in their service, need defence against the unseen battles of the mind.

Join us in this noble endeavour. Let’s ensure a brighter, healthier future for our unsung heroes.

With utmost respect and hope,

Mindful Kenya

Pastor Dorcas Rigathi holding her award alongside Environment CS, Soipan Tuya at the Africa Public Sector Conference and Awards (APSCA) gala dinner at a Nairobi Hotel on September 8, 2023. /DORCAS RIGATHI

Kones was speaking in an interview with TV47's Gachambi Nderitu when he opened up on his stint in Chicago working for both American multinational telecommunications company Motorola and in the media as a contributor for the Chicago Tribune newspaper for stories about Africa.

He revealed that he eventually lost his job at Motorola where he was doing packaging for phones and accessories among others as a result of the company shutting down, coming at a torrid time when the US economy was going into a recession that made it tougher to secure a job.

Aerial view of the city of Chicago. /TRAVEL AND LEISURE

Kones had found a job at PayPal but was working four hours a week, which he argued was unsustainable to cover his rent, thus prompting him to return to Kansas to start over and lead a quieter life where the cost of living was cheaper.

"I decided to go visit this girlfriend in Winona on the way to Kansas. When I got there, it was about 10 pm and here we were, I've gone to a house, we were talking, we went out and we got into an argument.

"I remember the argument was about my usage of money, I didn't have much and there we were splurging and stuff, and this argument didn't just stop in the club, it followed us all the way back home. So here we are arguing at two o'clock and I told her 'You know what, to hell with you, I'm going and I don't want these stories', and then you say you're jumping in the car and leaving," he revealed the encounter with the Kenyan girlfriend.

However, to her credit, she tried to beg Kones not to leave but he already made his decision. 

Drunk and fatigued, Kones embarked on a road trip looking for a place to sleep and happened to find a cheap motel somewhere in Minnesota.

When booking a room there, Kones discovered that his driving licence was missing, thus he had to provide other documentation to identify him, including his Kenyan passport, which would turn out to be his eventual undoing.

"My Kenyan passport was expired and at this point in time, I've been in the US longer than my visa years (five). So this guy (the motelier) noticed, and I believed he called immigration because he gave me a room, I went to bed and was woken up in the morning by the sound of police officers breaking through the door.

"Apparently they had tried to talk to me through some loudspeakers but I was exhausted...I had been driving for long and had been drinking...in fact, I thank God I didn't wake up because they would have shot me because they came in with guns and drones imagining that I was preparing for some sort of retaliation," he went on.

Kones was dragged out of the hotel wearing his shorts and taken to the police station and knowing that US Immigration was after him, he was transferred to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Minneapolis where he was held in solitary confinement for six weeks.

The immigration officials at the time found that he had committed a series of violations while in Kansas and regarding visa regulations that include certain hours with which you can work in the US.

He was then offered two options; to voluntarily return home or be subjected to a process to make him go back home, a process which keeps one hostage for close to 10 years while fighting deportation.

Kones decided on the first option as he was 27 years old at the time with many years ahead of him and with parents who were still able to provide for him.

"I signed up, I decided it was okay and then they decided they would look for a flight, which took time. When they finally found one, I was pulled out of the cells and escorted to the Minneapolis Airport and they made sure that I got on the flight to Amsterdam and then to Nairobi," he added, dismissing that he was in handcuffs because he accepted to be voluntarily deported.

"The moment they escorted me and put me on the flight, I was on my own. In fact, in Amsterdam, I was just roaming...I only had USD20 (Ksh2,941) which the United States government gave me to buy a meal but I was in shorts, t-shirts and sandals."

The survey released on Monday, September 11 revealed that Nairobi has the highest consumption of legally produced alcohol at 10.3 per cent, followed by Central Kenya at 10 per cent and the Eastern region at 8.4 per cent.

This is however compared to the Western region which has an alcohol consumption rate of 26.4 per cent, followed closely by the Coast region with a rate of 13.9 per cent, while Central Kenya is third with 12.8 per cent. This places Western Kenya as the region with the highest prevalence of alcoholism in the whole country.

In terms of consuming chang'aa, a traditional spirit made from the fermentation of grains like millet, Western topped again with a rate of 11.4 per cent, followed by Nyanza with 6.3 per cent and Rift Valley with 3.6 per cent.

Image of a chang'aa den in Kenya. /AL JAZEERA

Western led again in the prevalence of current use of traditional liquor at 12.9 per cent, followed by Coast at 7.4 per cent and Nyanza at 2.2 per cent.

In terms of drinking spirits, the NACADA report revealed that the Central Region leads with a prevalence of 4.1 per cent, followed by the Coast at 3.2 per cent and Rift Valley at 3.1 per cent.

Generally, NACADA classified alcohol as the most abused drug in Kenya, with one in every 8 Kenyans aged between 15 and 65 years currently consuming alcohol.

The national survey on the “Status of Drugs and Substance Use (DSU) in Kenya, 2022” took into consideration about 3,199,119 people who are currently using alcohol.

In terms of bhang, Nairobi recorded the highest consumption of the drug with a percentage of 6.3 per cent followed by Nyanza (2.4%) and Coast (1.9%).

Kenya Power revealed on Thursday, September 7 that it is actively promoting the adoption of electric cooking (e-cooking) among its 9.2 million customers with a target to increase uptake from approximately 90,000 current users to over 500,000 users in three years.

This was disclosed by Siror during the launch of the Global eCooking Coalition (GeCCo) at the Africa Climate Week in Nairobi.

The CEO complained that Kenyans have negatively painted cooking with electricity, attributing this to the high cost of electricity itself, thus they only allocate electricity to vital cooking appliances and leave cooking to fuel products such as cooking gas.

Image of an electric cooker. /iSTOCK

"Electricity has traditionally been viewed as the expensive cooking alternative by many Kenyans. Middle-class households often own task-specific electric cooking appliances such as kettles or microwaves but rely on liquefied petroleum gas for the bulk of their cooking.

"However, this is no longer the case as recent studies have shown. There is, therefore, an enormous untapped potential for e-cooking in the country," stated Siror.

Recent data indicates that only one per cent of electricity customers use electricity to cook, with the majority of Kenyans primarily relying on wood fuel and gas.

GeCCo is an initiative aimed at accelerating the transition from traditional cooking methods to e-cooking, both domestically and commercially.

The coalition consists of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS), Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), and Energising Development (EnDev) among others.

"Kenya Power will work with partners to drive the uptake of e-cooking across the country. The utility has partnered with several other organisations including the Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS), the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), and the Clean Cooking Association of Kenya (CCAK) to champion e-cooking in Makueni, Kitui, Nakuru, Kakamega, and Kisumu counties," added Dr. (Eng.) Siror.

Through its Pika na Power public awareness campaign, Kenya Power aims to raise awareness of e-cooking for increased uptake by its customers. It has set up demonstration centres in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Mombasa to advance the e-cooking agenda nationally.

Githeri With Ksh20?

The CEO who spoke on Tuesday, September 5 as a panelist on the Nation Media Group Leadership Forum alongside Energy CS Davis Chirchir argued that it only costs Ksh20 per cooking session to use an electric cooker.

He further noted that Kenya Power was willing to lead by example in affirming his claims in a bid to popularise the uptake of using electricity to cook, which has been seen as an unreliable method across the country due to the inconsistent power supply courtesy of blackouts.

"You can boil 'Githeri' with Ksh 20 worth of electricity. The perception that using electricity to cook is costly is wrong," Siror argued. 

In a lengthy Instagram statement, the sultry and curvaceous social media personality revealed that the bold move was not an easy one given that she also sought God's assistance to get her through her first month of sobriety.

Ntalami revealed that there are instances she wanted to quit drinking as she felt it was not matching up to her current lifestyle, though she outlined that she had no alcohol problems of any nature, not even addiction.

"I contemplated stopping alcohol for a while. To be clear, there was never any struggle or addiction to begin with. I simply felt that it wasn’t serving me anymore.

"For one, the feeling, places, spaces and people I’d take it with would most times leave me feeling more empty and drained, than happy and fulfilled, especially and ironically, during the tough times of my life. I needed to make space for better things," she narrated.

The 39-year-old affirmed that she was always the type to 'handle her liquor', something not many people were capable of.

Moreover, she was fed up with dealing with the drama or statements uttered by people and actions done by them unto others while under the influence, and the results of going sober for a month have worked in her favour.

"What has changed for the better since then? Clarity of mind, better wholistic health, better sleep, waking up fresh on weekends, more money saved, more energy, clearer skin, fuller hair, a drama-free life, more meaningful connections and conversations and above all, peace of mind, body and soul.

"We talk and flaunt the good habits we pick up. But let’s also be honest enough to share about dropping the habits that are not serving us," she remarked.

Ntalami believed that there are Kenyans who needed the encouragement to follow in her footsteps to quit drinking, appreciating those who take the step to choose better for themselves in any way, or even thinking of doing so.

"They say it takes 21 days to form a habit. I am loving this new habit, and I intend to keep it this way forever, so help me God.

"In the meantime, I am enjoying all the ‘looking younger and glowing skin’ compliments I’ve been getting," she added.