Uncategorized

Hospitality Industry Experiences a Network Platform in Nanyuki

The Insight Hospitality Conference and Expo, a leading exhibition, sales, conferences, and networking platform for the hospitality industry in Kenya, brought together hotel owners, procurement managers, heads of departments, and supervisors from hotels, camps, lodges, and resorts within Mt. Kenya region, for a two-day hotel suppliers expo at the Warwick Hotel in Nanyuki on June 15 and 16, 2022.

Hospitality Industry Experiences a Network Platform in Nanyuki

The expo featured an impressive lineup of experts and suppliers of hotel resources from a variety of leading companies in Kenya.

Among the exhibitors present at the expo were Uni Industries East Africa Limited, a company that manufactures and supplies equipment mainly to the food retail, wholesale, hospitality, manufacturing, and retail industries, that is, supermarkets, bakeries, petrol station convenience stores, fast food outlets, restaurants, institutions, and government kitchens, bottlers and brewers and catering contractors.

The major selling point for the company is its ability to provide complete systems and not just equipment supply. They design, install, commission as well as provide backup for the equipment requirements.

For those in the baking line, Uni Industries can upscale a little bread shop in your garage to a supermarket bakery and to a complete bakery plant ranging from 5,000 to 100,000 loaves per day.

In the kitchen line, they offer both Kenyan fabricated and imported kitchen equipment. These include setups such as fish and chips outlets, coffee shops, juice parlors, restaurant kitchens, hotels, and college kitchens. They also provide laundry equipment albeit for commercial purposes, from small launderettes to hotel and institutional setups. For all their supplies, the company offers backup spares.

Horeca Hospitality and Silent Night Bedding were also among the more than 10 groups showcasing their supplies. Horeca Hospitality supplies toiletries and amenities for various purposes and to diverse institutions with their counterparts, Silent Night Bedding, provides the most comfortable beds and mattresses at a cost-effective price.

The expo provided the attendants with an opportunity to connect with professionals and industry peers and individuals with the tools necessary to drive their businesses forward in the hospitality industry, with the suppliers giving valuable guidance drawing from their expertise and viewpoints.

The hospitality sector has grown leaps and bounds to cement itself as the mainstay of the economy of Laikipia County as attested by this great event that brought together the major players in the industry.

Dol Dol Smart Towns Realization Taking Shape

The County Government of Laikipia has committed part of the Infrastructure Bond money to the construction of 11 smart towns, one of them being Dol Dol in Mukogondo West.

The aim is to revamp the town into a business hub where investors will be fighting for space because of increased production and standard of living.

The contractor, the National Youth Service, is already on site after the County Government and the service signed a contract on April 14, 2022, for commencement of work.

Equipment mobilization has already started to enable the contractor complete the work in eight months.

The work will involve the upgrade of roads to a bituminous standard that includes 1.38 Km of Asphalt paved roads around Dol Dol town center, complete with vehicle parking.

There will also side drains on all asphalt paved roads complete with storm drain structures. A dedicated Reinforced Concrete drain structure draining into the existing river course will also take shape.

A total of 46 stand-alone street lamps to light up Dol Dol town will be erected to make traders conduct their businesses 24/7. This will also increase the security of the region.

The Dol Dol smart town plan was informed by stakeholders’ meetings, including conducting public participation with the community and the town traders. Consequently, the residents have owned the project, which is a major reap for the town, Up North.

What Next For Laikipia?

The County Government of Laikipia is committed to accelerating the efforts in initiatives that will contribute towards a target goal of tripling the size of the economy to Ksh. 350 billion. Amongst these focus areas are:

Scaling up water for production

This is a comprehensive master plan covering 231 dams, 130 boreholes, five mega-dams, and 15 privately developed dams to make Laikipia water secure, and bring 50,000 acres of land under irrigation for crops and fodder.

Scale-up water reticulation and sanitation

This will be done by connecting 40,000 households with safe drinking water to attain 80% coverage. Also, the government will install decentralized(sewerage) treatment facilities in 19 smart towns.

Scale-up profitable agriculture

Through farm mechanization, agro-manufacturing, high-value crops and livestock, quality input and breeds, feedlot program, dryers, storage with warehouse receipt financing, and contracts. The County Government will commission the Laikipia Meat Investment to produce, slaughter, and distribute up to 108,000 heads of cattle and close to 400,000 sheep and goats annually by 2030.

Create 50,000 new jobs

By doubling the business register to 50,000 businesses, scaling up the business stimulus program to 20 billion shillings, and operationalizing the Rumuruti Special Economic Zone.

Completing 19 smart towns

Starting with the 12 towns underway, namely Karuga, Mowarak, Dol Dol, Kalalu, Lamuria, Matanya, Pesi, Kinamba, Nanyuki, Nyahururu, Wiyumiririe, Naibor/JuaKali, Ol Jabet, Rumuruti, and Ol Moran. The County Government will identify another 7 towns in consultation with the County Assembly. These towns will be properly planned and upgraded with infrastructure build-up of roads, drainage, water, and sewer. Each will have a formal program to attract and retain businesses.

Complete the transformation of LHS

Install MRI, CT Scan, and additional Renal capacity at LHS Nanyuki and Nyahururu. Complete renovation and upgrade of all 90 facilities. Entrench sample referral, networked pharmacy, and medical outpatient clinics and quality of care and medical insurance coverage to achieve universal health care (UHC).

A complete transformation of the public service

Continued innovation on systems, processes, and reward schemes to create a high-performance public service. The goal is to build an entrepreneurial public service, that enables businesses and citizens to thrive.

Complete 1,500 Kms of new gravel rural roads per year

Scale-up of the rural roads program across all wards.

Scale-up manufacturing

Extend financial support, business development, workspaces, and preferential procurement terms to 5,000 manufacturing micro and small businesses.

Amaya Triangle Initiative(ATI)

Operationalize the soft security/peace dividends program.

One CEREB market

Work with member counties in the Central Kenya Region Economic Block (CEREB) to establish a seamless and zero-traffic cost market for goods and services produced in a CEREB member territory.

NOFBI and other strategic infrastructure

In Karuga, Nyahururu, Ol Jabet, Kinamba, Lamuria, Wiyumiririe, and Nanyuki, connect all county institutions and businesses to the national optic-fiber infrastructure. Bring online Nyahururu and Rumurutu airstrips.

Improve educational standards by absorbing 600 ECDE tutors to full-time contracts equipping all Vocational Training Centers, and operationalizing Nanyuki University College of Manufacturing.

DeKUT, Laikipia Partnerships Accelerate Development in the County

The County Government of Laikipia and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology(DeKUT) have partnered numerous times which have brought exemplary outcomes.

The two have partnered in a bid to provide solutions to problems facing Laikipia as the government aims at eradicating poverty and making the residents empowered economically.

Small and Medium Enterprises in Laikipia have also directly and otherwise benefited from the partnership of the County Government and DeKUT.

When COVID-19 hit the country, the devolved unit worked together with the university to train Laikipia tailors to make face masks and other protective gear instead of importing the same. Those trained became trainers to teach the rest the new skill that was very necessary for fighting the pandemic.

Laikipia made tuk-tuk, BJ-50 developed in collaboration with Engineers from DeKUT

The university also helped in developing ventilators, which were in high demand and unavailable for importation.

The collaboration has seen Sagak Tech continue developing the BJ-50 tuk-tuk in Laikipia west. The engineers from the university are in constant consultation to ensure the tuk-tuk is more beneficial.

The most recent project from the collaboration of the two institutions is the modern cereal dryer that Mwireri Engineering is developing with the help of engineers from DeKUT. The new machine has the capacity to dry 6-8 tonnes of maize per hour. Thereby solving the aflatoxins issues.

This will fix the perennial maize storage problems, where farmers suffer hefty losses due to aflatoxin accumulation in their maize when stored in normal warehouses. These drying machines will dry maize to the right standard moisture content – reducing postharvest losses brought by storage problems.

The partnership is set to continue as Laikipia is established to become a manufacturing hub. The engineers from Kimathi University will train local engineers on the best designs for their products.

Improved Cereal Dryer Assures Food Security in Africa

Food Security in Laikipia County is set to improve significantly after the making of a state-of-the-art drying machine for cereals by a Laikipia innovator.

This has been realized following a partnership between David Burii of Mwireri Engineering, the County Government of Laikipia, and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology (DeKUT).

The new machine has a capacity to dry 6-8 tonnes per hour, an improvement from the older version that dries half a tonne in 3-4hours. Further, the latter uses maize combs and diesel to generate the heat for drying, which is not economical.

I am glad that we now have made a machine that is faster drying and uses diesel and electricity to function. Burii said, adding that it has taken them 13 weeks to come up with the advanced maize dryer.

The innovator is hopeful that the subsequent machines will take less time as they already have experience and know where the delay came from.

The County Government of Laikipia has been hand-holding the innovator and has helped in marketing the same, even outside the country.

We have no business importing machines. We should be able to make our own machines. The way to improve the productivity of Agriculture is to ensure that the farmer is able to use the machines that we make here.said Governor Ndiritu Muriithi.

Praising this noble course, DeKUT Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ndirangu Kioni said the partnership between the government and the institution has worked towards ensuring solving problems facing society.

To get to where we are, we have partnered with Laikipia County to use the University Knowledge to help the SMEs improve their manufacturing capabilities.DeKUT VC said.

David Burii of Mwereri Engineering with the older version of the maize dryer.

The first three machines will be installed at the cereal storage facilities in Kinamba, Sipili, and Mutanga. This will fix the perennial maize storage problems, where farmers suffer hefty losses due to afro toxins accumulation in their maize when stored in normal warehouses, thus reducing post-harvest losses.

The announcement of making such a machine has attracted other customers, especially those who had experience with the older version.

Currently, I have five orders from Rwanda, DR Congo, Uganda, Trans Nzoia, and from one individual. the entrepreneur said.

From Market Centres to Towns. Focus on Upcoming Smart Towns by Investors

Commencement of the development of four Smart Towns is expected to be realized in less than two months’ time following the announcement of the County Government of Laikipia for bidders. These towns to be developed are Pesi, Wiyumiririe, Nyahururu, and Naibor.

Recently, contractors signed an agreement to commence construction of Dol dol and Karuga smart towns. Local contractors have been awarded tenders to do Matanya, Kinamba, Kalalu, and Nanyuki towns.

These upcoming smart towns will provide more job opportunities to the locals as the contractors are directed to utilize the local human resource, unless in the specialized expertise that may be sourced from other counties.

Laikipia County has set the development bar high for other devolved units on matters of sources of funds to actualize growth. This is through the Infrastructure Bond that has so far been approved by Laikipia citizens, the county assembly, the cabinet at the county level, and the national cabinet.

The county government is hopeful that this financial year’s own source revenue will hit the Ksh. 1bn targets. It will be the highest ever attained in the county. On the other hand, the projects that require implementation surpass the county budget by far, thus necessitating an alternative way to finance them. The infrastructure bond has Ksh. 1.16 billion purposely for 17 projects across the county.

Land value in the areas to be improved is expected to go up. Therefore, the best time to acquire a piece of land in these prime areas is now – when it is affordable.

Locals from the said areas should expect their economic levels to shoot as more people buy, lent, or lease their properties for economic purposes. Rental houses, for instance, will have more demand because of many people visiting the new towns.

Dincom Eden Villa Estate in Sipili Attracting Global Attention.

Have you ever fathomed what the Biblical Garden of Eden looked like? Well, in Sipili, Laikipia West seats such a reflection – Dincom Eden Villa Estate.

This is a garden with a variety of fruit trees, only that all the products are edible, with no forbidden fruit. You only pay a small fee at the gate, enter and choose the many fruits you want, eat them, but do not carry them.

The 7.5-acre family land owned by one Charles Mureithi is fully covered with fresh fruits across all seasons. This is in a bid to promote green tourism, after getting the experience in Japan over a decade ago.

I studied the Implementation and Promotion of Agribusiness in African Countries course in Japan in 2011. When I came back, I put what I studied into practice. said Mr. Mureithi.

According to the farmer, what started as just a passion has since grown to attract global attention. Many people from across the world occasionally pay him a visit to get a natural feel of the fruits they otherwise have never seen on trees.

When I was starting this farm practice in 2005, it was a result of passion and only for domestic consumption; now I have 32 different types of fruit trees. he said. Some of the tropical fruits like Mangoes and avocadoes do not do well in European countries, which makes them visit my land to see them on trees and eat them while fresh. the farmer added.

Mr. Mureithi is a professional Swahili/CRE teacher – currently working at Lariak Secondary School. He operates the farm with his wife and three sons plus an employee.

Mr. Mureithi with his students from Lariak Secondary School

In addition to green tourism, Dincom Eden Villa Estate also engages in training primary and secondary school students, and also trains farmer groups on best farming practices and caring for the environment. Also found in the Estate are livestock, bees, and tree nursery among others meant to address climate change.

With some partners, 16 representatives from 16 African countries came for training on my farm. Mr. Mureithi said. We have so far received three national awards; being the best farmers in 2016, best in climate resilience(best climate-smart agriculture) in 2021, and Green Architecture of the year in 2021.

The farmer is in the process of constructing cottages on the farm as more people keep requesting for the same to spend a night or two in the vicinity. People intending to have small parties like birthdays, engagements, or wedding photo sessions can also, do the same in the land.

Through the aid of the County Government of Laikipia, the farmer has been able to exhibit some of his products in Nyahururu town.

Contact Mureithi on 0700 568 795 or 0734 585 500.

Laikipia Attracts Jamaican Investment as Jamrock Cafe Opens Doors in Nanyuki.

Laikipia residents and those from the surrounding areas have been treated with a new variety of foods and drinks from Jamaica Origin. On the ground floor of the majestic Bemwaki Towers in Nanyuki town, sits Jamrock Cafe – a restaurant that provides an exclusive array of Jamaican cuisines on its menu.

It is owned and operated by a “Jamaican Man” as he prefers to be called, a native Jamaican from the country’s capital Kingston, who is married to a Kenyan lady. The entrepreneur explains that he decided to set up shop in Laikipia County due to the blossoming business environment, occasioned by progressive business policies and also the diversity of people and cultures in the county.

The design of the place is inspired by renowned reggae musicians like Bob Marley and black liberators like Marcus Garvey, whose pictures, quotes, and paintings dot the interior of the cafe. The wooden seats and tables are all draped in green, red, gold, and black table clothes denoting the traditional Rasta colors.

The cafe’s menu included vegetarian dishes, chicken dishes, fish dishes, beef dishes, soups, and plain dishes, all part of the Jamaican food culture. One of the most famous dishes is the Jamaican Jerk chicken. A well-seasoned, grilled chicken with Jamaican jerk marinade, that has a perfect balance of heat and sweetness, slow-cooked to perfection. It is amazingly tender, moist, and juicy bursting with savory flavors on every bite. Very tasty.

For fish and beef lovers, you will experience an explosion of flavors with every bite from the perfectly and divinely authentic prepared dishes on the menu.

A variety of cocktail drinks also feature on the menu, with some drinks bearing quite intriguing names such as the Dirty Banana, a Caribbean classic made from bananas, coffee, cashew nuts, and rum. Names notwithstanding, the drink invigorates the body giving lots of energy, tastes absolutely delicious, and is quite refreshing.

The firm is offering a new type of food and drinks with Jamaican culture.

As you take your bite and your sip, the cool reggae beats and rhymes emanating from the CD player serve to soothe and cool you down creating an ambiance that the owner describes as “good vibes only”.

Barely two months into existence, Jamrock Cafe has witnessed an increased intake of customers whose curiosity and adventure into a different cultural experience, have been satisfied by the Rastaman.

Laikipia is certainly the destination for food that epitomizes the flavors that local Jamaicans crave. Visit Jamrock Cafe and experience the irie vibes.

From Food to Events, Maiyan Resort Got You Covered

Located about 15KM on the outskirts of Nanyuki town sits Maiyan Resort, a facility that prides itself as one of the best in the whole country in terms of hospitality.

Maiyan is a one-of-a-kind lifestyle development that encapsulates all it means to have the best of both worlds: to live in a house with all the fun, beauty, and amenities of a dream resort in your backyard.

It is a 156-acre natural lush setting in Nanyuki, set against the backdrop of Mount Kenya and the Lolldaiga highlands.

Being a part of Maiyan will make you a part of a select group of people who have recognized it as a wonderful venue for memorable occasions. It invites families and children of all ages, instilling in us all a sense of wonder, harmony, and intrigue.    

The 36 rooms at Maiyan are all furnished with modern conveniences such as hardwood windows, Wi-Fi, a direct dialing phone, a parquet floor, a laptop-size electronic safe, a mini-bar, exquisite toiletries, and a flat-screen TV with DSTV channels.

Maiyan provides deluxe rooms with a king-size bed or twin beds with a panoramic outlook for the most discerning customers.

The hotel provides its visitors a beautiful suite with a big terrace and a lovely outlook over the natural landscapes from the rooftops, for a luxurious weekend.

Visitors can choose from the extensive leisure activities available to entice, entertain, relax, and delight their senses. These include the equestrian center, fishing, boating, cycling, fishing, and game drives, to name a few. Onsite, there are complimentary daily activities such as an outdoor heated pool, volleyball, jogging, outdoor gym, basketball, and tennis court.

The stresses of the world will fade away as you indulge in one of Maiyan’s many signature Spa treatments, which use only fresh and natural products.

Maiyan is the ideal venue for incentive, social and corporate events, as well as exclusive private meetings.

With fully equipped, fully serviced, and catered business facilities, plus a team of dedicated support staff ready and willing to respond to your every need, Maiyan Resort truly means business.

For businesses and corporate organizations seeking to hold team building activities, office meetings, and conferences, there are a variety of layouts available to suit your needs, including a boardroom, U-Shaped theatre, classroom, cocktail, banquet,  and cabaret settings.

The rooms can accommodate up to 95 people, with the boardroom accomodating 10 people. The rooms have individual climate and lighting controls, as well as an electronic lectern with a ceiling-mounted data projector and drop-down screens with built-in audio-visual equipment.

You can choose from a variety of themed events and decor operations, or you can build your own look and feel for your event.

Destination Laikipia: The Escape Plan from Stressful Working Life.

The pace at which activities and life, in general, are coming at us is quite fast now, more than ever. The high-octane political campaigns currently rocking the country have added a little more spice to the stress levels and psychological burden people are experiencing.

Experts in the tourism sector are of the opinion that, taking a leisure trip provides opportunities for relaxation, detachment from work, and personal control.

Employees who suffer from work-related stress often experience poor psychological wellness, which might contribute to mental problems and negatively influence job performance. The strain of daily work can also negatively influence the perspective on life satisfaction, of individuals.

With one of the most important motivational forces for tourism experience being to escape from routine and stressful environments, it is postulated that taking a leisure trip (even a short weekend getaway), can help individuals to recover from work stress and increase psychological well-being.

Destination Laikipia The Escape Plan from Stressful Working Life

Laikipia County boasts of having abundant and a variety of tourism destinations and related activities that people could enjoy. Conservancies, ranches, hotels, and natural sites are available in all corners of the county. For all biophiles and zoophiles, it is the county to be in as it will cater to both.

The amazing sites and sounds of waters falling at speed, 100fts down to the cool gorge at the Thomson Falls in Nyahururu, are sure to calm and relax your mood. The tropical trees and wild banana plantations also create a calming ambiance in contrast to the hectic daily activities one is used to experiencing.

A trip to the OlPajeta conservancy will offer you a glimpse into some of the rarest animals available in this planet like the Northern white rhino among others. A vacation at the Maiyan Resort, a visit to the Warwick hotel or a camping trip at the Mugie camp will change your viewpoint on life satisfaction for sure.

Even though some constraints such as time, money, and companionship are factors preventing people from taking vacations, the awareness of the benefits derived from tourism is quite scarce. Knowledge of its benefits will encourage people to travel more or at least have a stronger intention to do so. This also means more opportunities to forget about their work, experience new things, and relax.