Table of contents for Issue 165 - Feb - Mar 2021 in Msafiri

kanbu DEAR READER Welcome to the February/March 2021 issue of msafiri.2021 is a year filled with hope and optimism and we are spreading love and cheer during Valentine’s Day. It is a special occasion to remember the loved ones in our life, and also one of the most critical periods of the year for Kenya’s horticulture industry. Valentine’s Day generates a significant portion of horticulture sales and helps to support around six million livelihoods (see page 80). We are proud to play our part by delivering Kenyan flowers (as well as fruit and vegetables) to over 60 cities around the world, ranging from Accra and Lusaka to Amsterdam and London. It’s just one the different ways we continue to support economies as they recover from the effects of the Covid-19…

VOICE OF AFRICA KEEPING CONNECTED It will be a while before Covid-19 vaccines are rolled out in many parts of Africa. In the meantime, we shall rely on face masks, hand hygiene and physical distancing as our best defences. But how can we keep apart, yet stay connected? WORDS: TABITHA MWANGI With the pandemic, video-embedded communication using platforms like WhatsApp, Skype and Zoom have acquired great importance as a means of staying connected while apart. Many elderly parents and grandparents were roped in as people feared inadvertently spreading the virus to these vulnerable groups. A friend of mine was telling me how his mother discovered YouTube. “She uses it to pass her time. She is constantly forwarding us stuff on WhatsApp,” he said, laughing. I got the sense that she…

INNOVATIONS & TECHNOLOGY MSAFIRI REVIEWS GOOD, CLEAN FUN From sustainable speakers to recycled bicycles, today’s best eco-friendly gadgets will allow you to go green in style… Being eco-friendly no longer means selling all your possessions and devoting your life to yoga and yoghurt. From reducing plastic waste to minimising your carbon footprint, today’s big brands are increasingly mindful of the impact they have on the environment. That goes for tech firms, too. Here’s our pick of the best climate-friendly gadgets for those who want to protect our planet and put a smile on Greta Thunberg’s face. LARQ WATER BOTTLE 1 Clean water in 60 seconds? This clever bottle purifies water at the touch of a button using UVC LED lights, which kill up to 99.99999% of biocontaminants. Simply fill up with…

2 GREAT NAIROBI EATERIES WORDS: GATUIRI MWANGI THE TALISMAN RESTAURANT THETALISMANRESTAURANT.COM +254 705 999 997 Located in Karen, Nairobi, The Talisman Restaurant has been open since the 1990s. Famed for its feta and coriander samosas, it offers a lovely ambience for a chilled lunch or romantic dinner. The restaurant also has an organic shamba in which they grow some of their produce. Their menu is diverse and includes delicious sushi. When I visited, I ordered the twice-cooked sticky duck legs and, of course, had to try the samosas. The meal was lovely and the service was warm. They also have a garden space with some slides, making this the perfect location for a Sunday family outing. WITH THE INCRE ASE IN DEMAND FOR ORGANICALLY GROWN PRODUCE IN KENY A, SMALL-SCALE…

MEET THE KQ TEAM VIOLET MUYONGA, SALES AND CUSTOMER SERVICE EXECUTIVE, KQ CARGO Millions of people across the globe look upon February as the month of love. What volumes of flowers do we transport during this season? We consider the weeks between 22 January and 10 February as our peak for flower shipments. Last year, we delivered approximately 300 tonnes in that period alone. In 2019 [overall], we transported 4.4 million tonnes of fresh flowers. What are some of our key destinations for flowers? In Africa, that would be Accra, Ghana; Lubumbashi, DR Congo; Lusaka, Zambia; Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire; Dakar, Senegal; and Monrovia, Liberia. Outside of Africa, there is high demand in Amsterdam, London, Paris and New York City. What enables us to deliver in the manner that we do? I would…

VISION OF AFRICA What does it take to become the Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year? Here’s what the judges are looking for: Overall impression and visual impact: does the entry invoke an emotional response? Technical difficulty and execution: does the entry show skill in balance, focus, lighting and exposure? Originality, humour and creativity: is the photographer’s message conveyed through their lens? Feeling inspired? Entries for this year’s competition are now open. Visit thegreatestmaasaimara.com for details and marvel at the crop of stunning images each month on Instagram @thegreatestmaasaimara, #TGMM2020…

EARTH MATTERS SPOTLIGHT ON RANGER EQUALITY WOMEN IN GREEN Meet Team Lioness, the all-female rangers working on the frontline to save Kenya’s wildlife WORDS: PAUL UDOTO PAOLO TORCHIO/IFAW across Africa, community wildlife rangers are working to protect wildlife and conserve landscapes during the devastating Covid-19 pandemic. One of the most remarkable is Kenya’s trail-blazing Team Lioness: eight women aged 20-30, working as community rangers in the Olgulului/Ololarashi Group Ranch, which is part of the larger Amboseli ecosystem in southern Kenya. The first-ever women to secure formal jobs as rangers in the patriarchal Maasai community, Team Lioness members are tasked with protecting wildlife from poachers, and safeguarding people from conflict with free-roaming elephants and other wildlife in their community lands. In the male-dominated world of wildlife rangers, the group has busted traditional…

HOW TO SPOT ECO-FRIENDLY TECH GREEN PACKAGING MOST TECH BRANDS ARE USING GREENER PACKING. LENOVO, FOR EXAMPLE, WRAPS FRAGILE LAPTOPS AND DISPLAYS IN MATERIAL MADE FROM SUGAR CANE AND BAMBOO, RATHER THAN POLYSTYRENE. LOW COBALT MOST BATTERY-POWERED TECH REQUIRES COBALT, A MINERAL MINED USING DANGEROUS CHEMICALS. HAPPILY, TECH FANS CAN NOW BUY ‘LOW COBALT’ TECHNOLOGY – INCLUDING TESLA’S LATEST ELECTRIC CAR. ZERO WASTE MOST TECH MAKERS ARE COMMITTED TO A HEALTHIER PLANET BUT APPLE IS ONE OF VERY FEW THAT RUN ON 100% CLEAN ENERGY AND ARE ‘CERTIFIED ZERO WASTE TO LANDFILL’. SO, NO NEED TO FEEL GUILTY ABOUT YOUR IPAD! CARBON NEGATIVE YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD THE TERM ‘CARBON NEUTRAL’ BUT MICROSOFT AIMS TO GO ‘CARBON NEGATIVE’ BY 2030. IT’S GIVING ITS EMPLOYEES FINANCIAL INCENTIVES TO DESIGN ECO-FRIENDLY GADGETS.…

Pick of the bunch MLANGO FARM MLANGO.ORG | +254 728 848296 Located in Ngecha, about 45 minutes from Nairobi city centre, Mlango Farm is owned and run by a couple, Els and Kamande. They have been running the farm for about 13 years, during which time their staff has grown to about 70 people. They pride themselves on practising organic farming, growing a wide range of crops on their 20acre plot. As well as supplying city restaurants and hotels with fresh produce, Mlango offers a weekly grocery subscription service for households. In addition to the lovely shamba, they also rear livestock, including goats, sheep, ducks and geese. Mlango Farm offers day trips that include a guided farm tour and delicious lunch. When my family and I visited, the farm was…

MARATHONS IN AFRICA These are some of the marathons planned for Africa this year.* Once events open up, always look for one that can be both fun and competitive. If you are running a full marathon, aiming to do it in around three hours would be perfect for a beginner. KILIMANJARO MARATHON, TANZANIA: 28 FEBRUARY 2021 LEWA SAFARI MARATHON, KENYA: JULY 2021 VICTORIA FALLS MARATHON, ZIMBABWE: JULY 2021 CAPE TOWN MARATHON, SOUTH AFRICA: 17 OCTOBER 2021 * Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, most marathons around the world are currently postponed. Check their websites for the latest updates. Kipchoge’s 10 tips: marathon prep 1 Start training 2Get a teammate to train with 3 Record all your workouts 4 Always try to finish your workouts – do not train your body to…

In his words: traits of a successful entrepreneur Be a leader and don’t get stuck in the past I initially worried that Britam, being a small firm, had zero chance of success. However, my dream evolved to become a vision. Allow your dream to evolve too. Feed this vision to your team and let them embrace the vision. Let them know that what is good can be made better. Don’t just work for money Don’t get me wrong. Making money and living a comfortable life were key factors in my formative years at Britam. But just accumulating money for the sake of it is very base. It’s about how you deploy the money to impact on society. Feed your mind: Young executives must invest in knowledge They should engage with…

KEEPING YOU SAFE WHEN YOU FLY YOUR HEALTH AND SAFETY ARE OUR PARAMOUNT CONCERN. HERE’S HOW WE ARE HELPING KEEP YOU SAFE: AT HOME Check the entry requirements of your destination Only travel if you are well and free of Covid-19 symptoms Check in early via the KQ website or app AT THE AIRPORT Arrive 3 hours prior to departure time (2 hours for a domestic flight) to allow for extra screening Your temperature will be checked on entering the terminal building Wear your face mask at all times Maintain social distancing; queue areas are marked Use the hand sanitisers provided Desks are fitted with antimicrobial screens All areas and surfaces are deep cleaned and disinfected regularly ON BOARD High-efficiency particulate air filtration systems ensure clean air Enhanced cleaning and…

CONTRIBUTORS THE WRITE STUFF MEET SOME OF THIS ISSUE’S WONDERFUL WORDSMITHS – AND FIND OUT WHERE THEY CAN’T WAIT TO TRAVEL TO NEXT Peter Muiruri is a Kenyan writer specialising in travel, conservation and human interest stories where “words paint a picture, and a picture tells a story”. Follow Peter on Twitter @peter_ muiruri and Instagram @peterinafrica2016 TAKE ME THERE: “New York. I just want to ride in yellow taxi cabs and walk on the Brooklyn Bridge, besides connecting with long-lost friends. It’s that simple.” Gatuiri Mwangi FOOD CONTENT CREATOR AND FOUNDER OF LEO TUNAPIKA?(LEOTUNAPIKA.COM) A TOP KENYAN FOOD BLOG THAT WAS A WINNER IN THE 2019 BAKE AWARDS. A WIFE AND MOTHER OF THREE, HER MOTIVATION IS TO SHARE EASY RECIPES FOR THE EVERYDAY CURIOUS COOK. Harun Momanyi is the founder…

TRENDING THE WORLD IS YOUR WORLD We are plugged into a global community where anyone, anywhere, can engage with a far-flung creative moment, enjoy it, share it, or reimagine it for all the world to experience. As the cultural spotlight continues to shine on Africa, we have no shortage of content and inspiration to offer. WORDS: ANNABEL ONYANGO nigeria’s most recent fashion export is Kenneth Ize (@kennethIze) whose ready-to-wear looks have been modelled by the likes of Adwoa Aboah and Naomi Campbell. Ize’s signature style uses the traditional Yoruba fabric aso oke, which is handwoven into a check pattern, vibrantly coloured and heavily textured. A collaboration with millennial Ize and the 85-year-old fashion veteran Karl Lagerfeld may seem like an odd pairing, but could be a powerful cultural statement about…

FIVE ALIVE HOW TO FEEL GREAT NOW! Where would we be without our communities? Last year we developed a renewed sense of appreciation for our support systems; the like-minded individuals who ‘get us’. Here are five communities to help make 2021 your best year yet! WORDS: PATRICIA WANJALA @TRICIA WANJALA Go Vegan Most East Africans are meat lovers, so going vegan may sound pretty daunting. But how about going vegan for just one week to experience the health benefits? This is what Rofah Tekiyah, aka Healing T, has taught her growing worldwide community. Originally from Antigua, Rofah is a naturopath, educator and author. She grows her own organic vegetables in Syokimau, Kenya, and distributes the surplus around Nairobi to her clients. They’ve been amazed at how tasty vegan meals can…

FOOD FOR THOUGHT HOME-GROWN AND HEALTHY Nothing beats fresh, organic produce – grown locally, supporting small-scale farmers and creating delicious meals that are good for your wellbeing and your wallet. Welcome to the green and healthy world of shamba-style cookery the shamba is truly the heart of fresh, healthy meals. It could be anything from several acres of farmed land to a simple kitchen garden. With the increase in demand for organically grown produce in Kenya, small-scale farmers are rising to the occasion and local sokos (markets) are huge beneficiaries. There’s also been an increase in weekly subscription services that deliver fresh organic produce right to the customers’ doorsteps. Another thing I love about shamba food is the sheer variety. Farmers are growing produce that is not necessarily indigenous to…

What shoes does Kipchoge wear? For his last competition, the 2020 London Marathon, Kipchoge wore the new Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%. They feature a full-length carbon plate, Zoom X cushioning and two Zoom Air Pods, which have been added to the forefoot for responsive cushioning and propulsion. The concept of adding carbon fibre plates to midsoles increases longitudinal bending stiffness and leads to a higher vertical jumping height. According to Nike: “When Eliud Kipchoge ran a marathon in 1:59:40 in 2019, he did so in a prototype of the Nike Air Zoom Alphafly NEXT%. This extraordinary achievement was years in the making, the culmination of a collaboration between Eliud and Nike, beginning with Eliud’s effort to break the two-hour marathon barrier in 2017. Eliud’s feat has inspired some of the…

Coping with Covid: A shot in the arm for wildlife conservancies Kenya’s conservancies play an important role in wildlife conservation, covering more than 6.36 million hectares, directly supporting 930,000 rural households and securing an estimated two thirds of wildlife found outside national parks and reserves. But when the coronavirus pandemic reached Kenya last year, the global public health repercussions stretched the conservancies’ resilience to the limit. They shattered the tourism industry that largely funds conservation, increased poverty and cast a long shadow of economic damage. Impoverished communities needed a helping hand to weather the pandemic. President Uhuru Kenyatta threw them a lifeline in May 2020 when he announced an eightpoint economic stimulus package amounting to Ksh53.7 billion to alleviate the effects of the pandemic. Out of this, Ksh1 billion was…

kusafiri ALL YOU NEED FOR A SAFE & ENJO YABLE JOURNEY WITH US Guess where… This impressive balancing rock formation stands near to a city on the shores of Africa’s largest lake. The city is also renowned for its proximity to the hometown village of President Barack Obama. But can you guess which of Kenya Airways’ destinations houses this geological phenomenon? Kisumu, Kenya The balancing rocks of Kit Mikayi are 30km east of Kisumu, Kenya’s third-largest city. In the local Dholuo language, ‘Kit Mikayi’ means ‘stones of the first wife’. Many stories of how these rocks came to be abound, but our favourite surrounds Ngeso, an old man who fell passionately in love with the stones. He would spend the entire day in the cave inside them, forcing his wife…

LOYALTY SCHEME: Flying Blue: How to stay Miles ahead Being a member of the Flying Blue frequent flyer programme allows you to earn reward Miles every time you fly with Kenya Airways 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. There are four membership levels – Explorer, Silver, Gold and Platinum. The more you travel, the more Experience Points you earn and the higher your level becomes – earning you more Miles and benefits. For more information on Flying Blue, go to flyingblue.com…

pride YOUR CAPTAIN SPEAKING: CELLINE NGURI Q Why did you want to become a pilot? I am an outdoors person who loves travelling and I knew that I didn’t want to be sitting behind a desk for long hours. Flying has given me a dynamic, challenging and exciting career. The panoramic views from the flight deck windows give me a sense of openness and freedom, and flying also has the added benefit of travelling to different countries. Q What, to you, makes Kenya Airways ‘The Pride of Africa’? The highly trained, passionate and professional people who work for the airline. They also add a friendly African touch to everything they do. Q What is your favourite KQ aircraft, and why? My favourite has varied over the years, but I currently…

cargo & fleet BUSINESS IS BLOOMING KQ PLAYS A PIVOTAL ROLE IN KENYA’S HORTICULTURE INDUSTRY Flowers are big business, and Kenya is one of the world’s leading exporters of blooms. With Valentine’s Day celebrated globally on 14 February, the early part of the year is especially busy. Then there’s Mother’s Day, which falls on 14 March this year in the UK (a key export market for Kenya’s growers) and on 9 May in Kenya, South Africa and the Netherlands (a major European flower hub), to name a few. Coupled with this is the large-scale sale of Kenyan fruit and vegetables into numerous overseas markets. The ability to transport horticultural produce quickly to a host of destinations around the world, therefore, is paramount. According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics,…

in-flight entertainment KQ Cinema CHOOSE FROM A HOST OF NEW ON-BOARD CONTENT — THERE’S SOME 80 MOVIES, 55 TV PROGRAMMES AND 1000 MUSIC TRACKS FOR YOU TO ENJOY PICK OF THE FLICKS TENET ACTION A visually dazzling puzzle for film lovers to unlock, Tenet serves up the cerebral spectacle audiences expect from a Christopher Nolan production. In a twilight world of international espionage, a mysterious organisation called Tenet recruits an unnamed CIA operative, known only as The Protagonist (John David Washington), to participate in a global assignment that unfolds beyond real time. The mission: prevent Andrei Sator (Kenneth Branagh), a renegade Russian oligarch with precognition abilities, from starting World War III. To do so, The Protagonist must master the art of ‘time inversion’. Set to the throb of an electrifying…