Msafiri Issue 174 - Aug-Sept 2022

Welcome to the August–September 2022 issue of msafiri. We’re delighted to be back in print to bring you our uplifting inflight magazine to enjoy – straight from your seat-back pocket. We hope that it will not only complement your inflight experience with Kenya Airways, but also be a source of ongoing pleasure and inspiration after you’ve travelled with us – remember, msafiri is free and yours to take home with you and share with others. As we move into the second half of the year, we remain confident that travel will continue to pick up. In this issue, we’re celebrating inspiring Africans and incredible destinations. Our line-up of exciting features includes Africa’s unsung heroes (pages 34-38) in which we salute the people who gave us hope, leadership, innovation and inspiration…

Time your trip right and your arrival in the Maasai Mara this month should coincide with the Great Migration when legions of wildebeest and zebra arrive from the Serengeti in search of fresh pasture. In a typical year, you can expect the snorting masses to reach the Mara by early August. River crossings enter a frenzied climax as wildebeest take a leap of faith into the Mara River, sometimes doubling back on themselves a few days later – much to the delight of waiting crocs and lions. During September, the focus of the migration remains firmly in Kenya as the wildebeest edge slowly eastwards through the Maasai Mara. They’ll wander wherever there is fresh grass, so you can also expect to encounter large herds in the conservancies surrounding the reserve.…

The world’s mountain bongo population has declined to the point of imminent extinction. Illegal hunting for its cream-striped russet coat and spiral horns, along with habitat loss and diseases associated with cattle (like rinderpest) are all to blame. There are now over four times as many mountain bongos in captive facilities in Europe and the USA than there are in Kenya – the last wild refuge for this critically endangered antelope. But an ambitious breeding and rewilding programme at the Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, near Nanyuki, aims to boost the country’s population of 150 remaining individuals. We talked to Dr Robert Aruho, the conservancy’s manager, about Kenya’s campaign to save this rarest and most beautiful of African antelopes. Q What’s the story behind giving these vanishing antelopes a shot at…

Lavinniah Muthoni MANAGING PARTNER, GREYDALE MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANCY ● GREYDALE.CO.KE Greydale Marketing began operations in Kenya in September 2017. The company was on a good trajectory with major expansion plans before Covid struck. “Client projects were literally rolling in. We had even hired additional staff to handle new projects poised to roll out in 2020,” says Muthoni. With most of the company’s clientele being foreign companies, there was very limited business when Kenya announced a total lockdown in March 2020. “With easing of restrictions, especially in 2021, we shifted our major client activities to digital platforms. Unfortunately, we had to scale down our headcount and reduce operational costs.” Key lesson learnt? “Diversify to remain in operation.” Reuben Kimani FOUNDER, USERNAME PROPERTIES ● USERNAMEPROPERTIES.COM When Kimani decided to try his…

01 Find your platform There are numerous social media platforms that have different audiences and it is important to find your people. While many use different apps perhaps simultaneously, there are places where people go when they need something specific. Twitter is great for conversations, while Facebook is a great marketplace. Instagram is a good way to sell things as well, and LinkedIn is ideal for growing your career. Social media sensation Azziad Nasenya’s forte of short videos has helped maintain her viral status. Find your thing and make it work. 02 Use hashtags Hashtags are part and parcel of getting followers. Using a good hashtag helps people locate your page or your business. Say you are in travel, if you use a hashtag such as #HiddenGems, viewers can more…

Mwoga hufa na hajafa(SWAHILI PROVERB)COWARDS DIE WHILE THEY ARE STILL ALIVE 01 AT THE END, YOU WILL REGRET THE CHANCES YOU FAILED TO TAKE, NOT THOSE THAT DIDN’T WORK OUT What is stopping you from taking that next step in life? In love? In business? At work? There are many reasonable situations that are hindering you from progressing, and I am sure that you are working your way around them towards your goal. However, if fear is stopping or delaying your progress, please remember that at the end of this current chapter in your love/work/business, you will regret the balls that fear made you drop. You will wish you took that chance. You will wonder: What if she/he said ‘yes’? Where would I be today if I asked for…