Table of contents for Issue 174 - Aug-Sept 2022 in Msafiri

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…

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…

Hundreds of new technology products hit the market every month, but only the best make it onto our tech review pages. So, whether you need the latest travel gadget, something to make life easy or just fancy some cool tech, you came to the right place! This issue, we’re looking at the best gadgets under $50, including an affordable Bluetooth speaker, a smart mug warmer and a battery-free photo printer… APPLE AIRTAGS This tiny tag helps you keep track of – and locate – your most prized possessions. Attach one to your car or bicycle, for example, and you can use Apple’s Find My app to locate your wheels. You can even ask Siri to help find your things! The downside? The tags only work provided there’s someone with an…

Ranked among the top 10 most beautiful roads in the world, this winding coastal drive traverses between basalt cliffs and the Indian Ocean. Set on a spectacular hairpin bend, on the peak of a small rocky cliff, you will find a lookout offering breathtaking views across rugged coastline and over the ocean. But in which of Kenya Airways’ destinations will you find it? As we’re feeling generous, here’s a clue: it’s on an island around 2400km off the African mainland. TURN TO PAGE 80 FOR THE ANSWERI…

network JOURNEY TIME FROM NAIROBI TO: This issue: Longest rivers YANGTZE 6300km China’s and Asia’s longest (and the world’s third-longest), the Yangtze is also the lengthiest river contained within a single country. Starting at Jari Hill, 5710m up in the Tanggula Mountains, and collecting some 700 tributaries along the way, it empties into the East China Sea near Shanghai some 6300km later. NILE 6650km The exact source of the Nile has long been debated, but the ‘Father of African Rivers’ is generally considered the world’s longest, just pipping the Amazon for top spot. It winds its way for 6650km through some 11 countries; its two principal tributaries – the White and Blue Niles – meet in Khartoum, Sudan, en route to Egypt before spilling into the Mediterranean. CONGO–CHAMBESHI 4700km Back…

Our direct flights between Nairobi and Mahé take you straight to the heart of the Seychelles. The Indian Ocean archipelago’s 115 islands (including La Digue shown here) are renowned for their stunning beach resorts, world-class diving and delicious Creole cuisine – not to mention giant tortoises and the ‘prehistoric’ palm forest of the UNESCO World Heritage Site Vallée de Mai. Check out our website (kenya-airways.com) for the latest deals on flights to the Seychelles and other Indian Ocean destinations, such as Mombasa, Mauritius and Madagascar.…

1 Neem powder (Mwarubaini) Neem is considered more of a herb than a food. In the recent appearance of global infectious diseases, it has resurfaced in the tropics as a potent immunity booster. Traditionally, it is considered a panacea in Africa, India and the Caribbean. Neem in Swahili is known as ‘4040’, as it’s thought to cure over 40 different diseases. It is used as a general tonic, antiparasitic, antibacterial, antiviral and antiprotozoal. Don’t be surprised if you visit the Kenyan Coast and the chef hands you an after-dinner cup of neem tea from freshly plucked leaves. They do this as a prophylaxis for malaria. Nutritionist Fatma Mohammed of Wellness Kenya swears by neem tea as a diuretic and a natural anti-inflammatory and antibacterial for clients struggling with reproductive health.…

connections Kenya’s national carrier has become the first African airline to launch a New Distribution Capabilities (NDC) system as part of its indirect sales platform. Supported by the International Air Transport Association, the web-based distribution solution seeks to modernise the way carriers sell air products to travel agents, corporations and travellers. NDC aims to improve the customer experience for travel agents by enabling them to interact directly with KQ rather than through an intermediary. This in turn ensures that their customers receive tailored offers to match their preferences and travel history. Julius Thairu, chief commercial and customer officer at KQ, said: “Our mandate as the ‘Pride of Africa’ is to understand our customers’ needs and align our products and services to address their end-to-end experience throughout their customer journey.”…

REFLEX ACTIVE SERIES 6 SMARTWATCH The smartest smartwatch! The Reflex Active Series 6 includes heart rate monitor, music control, colour touchscreen and a battery life of up to seven days. It comes with a rectangular black case and a black silicone strap. Packaged in a gift box, complete with a USB charger; splashproof; iOS and Android compatible; free Reflex Active app. One-year manufacturer’s guarantee. FEATURES INCLUDE: • Receive message notifications • Track specific activities (running/ walking/cycling/climbing) in real time • Distance/Steps/ Calorie-tracking • Live weather updates • Selfie camera control • Find-your-phone function • Track your sleep • Alarm and reminders. OAKLEY BACKPACK A packable backpack should be just that – packable. And, true to form, Oakley offers a user-friendly utility in a collapsible design. The durable, all-nylon fabric keeps…

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…

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…

Things They Lost OKWIRI ODUOR Kenyan writer Okwiri Oduor’s astonishing debut novel, Things They Lost, is the story of Ayosa, a young girl living in the fictional town of Mapeli who has a secret: she has an omniscient knowledge of things. She knows what happened to other people before they tell her, she can tell a person’s name just by looking at them, and she knows about events that took place before she was born. Oduor, who won the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2014, is a remarkable storyteller, and the narrative she weaves encompasses an interesting tableau of characters. There’s Mabel Brown, Ayosa’s British great-grandmother who moved to Kenya as a colonial settler and from whose name the town – Mapeli – is derived. Mabel Brown had a…

KQ has a new waiting lounge at Kisumu International Airport, offering a larger number of guests better facilities. The lounge – which includes improved washrooms, a view of the runway and space for a restaurant – can accommodate more than 100 people, compared to the 40-person capacity of the previous lounge. PROMOTING INCLUSIVITY AT NAIROBI CONFERENCE Kenya Airways recently participated in this year’s People with Disabilities conference in Nairobi. The event’s purpose was to advance digital accessibility, mobile assistive technology in Africa and the future of accessible tourism. The airline’s involvement formed part of its continued commitment to designing products and facilitating travel for all its customers. This is directly linked to the Fahari Innovation Hub’s project to promote accessible travel and improve the customer experience of differently abled passengers…

connections Being a member of the Flying Blue frequent flyer programme allows you to earn reward Miles every time you fly with KQ and our partner airlines. And what’s more, it’s free to join. You can redeem your Miles for flights, upgrade your seat, or pay for your accommodation or car rental. Your Miles are valid for life as long as you take an eligible flight at least once every two years. The more you travel, the more Experience Points you receive – earning you greater numbers of Miles and benefits. FOR MORE INFORMATION, GO TO FLYINGBLUE.COM…