Msafiri Issue 183 - Feb-March 2024

DEAR READER Making air travel more sustainable remains one of our greatest challenges and I'm delighted that Kenya Airways received the Best Innovation and Most Impactful Breakthrough awards for being the first African carrier to pioneer the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) from Africa to Europe. Some 22 airlines from SkyTeam (including ‘friends and family’ airlines) participated in The Sustainable Flight Challenge 2023, operating 72 flights that led to an average 19% reduction in CO2 intensity compared to the same flights in the previous month. The challenge generated hundreds of ideas to help drive a more responsible future for aviation – solutions that can be shared across the industry. We're also aiming to minimise carbon footprints through a new codeshare with South African Airways, in which you can now…

According to Lonely Planet, Nairobi is “shrugging off the colonial gaze and embracing its unique rhythms, with an impressive array of restaurants inspired by local cuisine, and a steady rotation of arts and cultural venues that has given rise to a distinct kind of Nairobi cool”. Its annual round-up of travel inspiration is showcased in Best in Travel 2024 – the top 10 countries, cities, regions, value destinations and sustainable spots around the world right now. Compiled by Lonely Planet staff, writers and online community, the book highlights Nairobi's cuisine, music and art scenes. “Nairobi's food scene is growing and glowing up,” it claims. “International menus dominate, offering an eclectic mix of food from the many cultures that have crossed paths through the city over the decades. But locals demanded,…

1 WHY IS KENYA OFTEN REFERRED TO AS ‘THE HOME OF HUMAN ORIGINS’? Kenya holds the most complete fossil record that documents human ancestry and evolution spanning from seven million years ago to the present. The fossils have been recovered from sites scattered across the country, and more continue to be unearthed. The position of Kenya as ‘The Home of Human Origins’ has been strengthened by the discovery of stone tools in the Turkana Basin that date to 3.3 million years ago. These are the earliest stone tools made and used by early humans, and indeed marked the long technological journey that humanity has walked, culminating in the innovations we witness in our times. We are very honoured to have Kenya's President H.E. Dr William Samoei arap Ruto taking the lead…

LEARN FROM THE PROS SO YOU WANT TO BE A… 01 What beginner-friendly programmes does Nairobi Polo Club (NPC) offer? I fondly remember my time as a beginner trying to break into the sport. As an amateur club, beginners rely on the goodwill of what is a warm and welcoming community. The first step for any beginner is learning to ride. There are various riding schools where one can do this, scattered across the city in Kitusuru, Muthaiga and Karen. Once you can ride, the next step is to come on over to NPC, sign up as a stick-and-ball club member, and we will facilitate your access to horses and training. Be forewarned, though: once you start, it is very addictive. 02 Are there rental ponies or introductory sessions available at…

NUMBERS NEVER LIE Around 55% of the global population uses social media. Every second, six new profiles are added on Facebook and two new members join LinkedIn. Facebook has over three billion monthly active users worldwide, while YouTube, WhatsApp and Instagram each boast more than two billion. LinkedIn has over 950 million members and more than 58 million registered companies. Other popular social media platforms such as WeChat, TikTok, Douyin, X (formerly known as Twitter) and Telegram all have hundreds of millions of people logging in and posting each month. Social media is deeply ingrained in our daily lives. Social media is a double-edged sword that has us thinking we are connecting more, while isolating and disconnecting us from those right next to us. According to author and health coach, Simi…

FATHERHOOD BREAK THE NEWS WITHOUT BREAKING YOUR CHILDREN How, where and when you break the news matters. My father passed away when my daughter, who's in boarding school, was about to do her end-of-year exams. I called the school and requested their counsellor to professionally handle the matter. When breaking news of a death, parents must also be cognisant of children's ages. Let each child know, in age-appropriate manner and language, what has happened. Don't tell tales that will require un-telling. Avoid saying, for example, that the departed soul has embarked on a long voyage. Your heart may be in the right place, but you'll put your child's head in a tailspin. BE A DAD, NOT A DICTATOR Allow children's voices to be heard and heeded. My children did not…