TF Express Magazine Sept-Dec 2014
Transcription
TF Express Magazine Sept-Dec 2014
FROM THE CEO GROWTH SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CONFERENCE Communication opens doors to every good thing Tourism Fund a step ahead of the rest of the nation Tourism Fund Donation of Computers to University The Smithsonian sd dfdsf dsf ds f Festival Folklife 1st Edition • September-December, 2014 Propelling Kenyan tourism A Bi-annual Newsletter of the tourism fund The Tourism Fund Journey into the Future |1 September–December, 2014 Charting modalities of a tourism and hospitality professional body sd dfdsf dsf dsWHO f WE ARE A Bi-annual Newletter of the Tourism Fund Tourism Fund is a body corporate established under the Tourism Act, 2011 which came into operation on 1st September, 2012 vide special issue Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 93 of 24th August, 2012. OUR MANDATE FROM THE CEO GROWTH SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CONFERENCE CommuniCation opens doors to every good thing tourism Fund a step ahead oF the rest oF the nation tourism Fund donation oF Computers to university the smithsonian sd dfdsf dsf ds f Festival FolkliFe 1st Edition • September-December, 2014 ProPelling Kenyan tourism A Bi-AnnuAl newSletter of the touriSm funD Mobilize resources to finance the development of a sustainable tourism industry in Kenya VISION To be the ultimate source of funding for sustainable development of tourism industry in Kenya MISSION The Tourism Fund Journey into the Future |1 September–December, 2014 Charting modalities of a tourism and hospitality professional body HEAD OFFICE NHIF Building, Car Park Tower 5th Floor, P.O. Box 46987-00100, Nairobi-Kenya Tel: +254 020 2714900/1/2/6/7/9 Mobile: +254 728 337 499 +254 733 337 499 Fax: +254 20 271 4911 Toll Free: 0800 221 0915, 0800 772 2109 Email: info@tourismfund.co.ke Website: www.tourismfund.co.ke REGIONAL OFFICES Nairobi Regional office NHIF Building, Car Park Tower 5th Floor, P.O Box 46987-00100, Nairobi, Kenya Tel: 020-2730708 Mobile: +254 717 359 979 +254 787 359 979 Coast Regional Office Pereira Building 3rd Floor, Machakos Road, (off Moi Avenue). P.O Box 99832-80100 Mombasa, Kenya Tel: 041-220493 Mobile: +254 717 359 971 +254 787 359 971 West Kenya Regional Office Reinsurance Plaza 7th Floor Oginga Odinga Road P.O Box 1406-40100 Kisumu, Kenya Tel: 057-2022247 Mobile: +254 717 359 993 +254 787 359 993 Rift Valley Regional Office AFC Building, Mezzanine Floor, Kijabe off Kenyatta Avenue P.O Box 2812 -20100 Nakuru, Kenya Tel: 051-2215660 Mobile: +254 717 359 988 +254 787 359 988 Central Regional Office Sohan Plaza 4th Floor Nyayo Road P.O Box 348-10100 Nyeri, Kenya Tel: 061-2030778 Mobile: +254 717 359 984 +254 787 359 984 2| September–December, 2014 To diversify the resource base for financing development of a sustainable tourism industry through innovation, service excellence and stakeholder engagement. OUR CORE VALUES • • • • • • • TEAM WORK; To create one family focused to deliver CUSTOMER FOCUS; Meet and surpass expectations of all our customers INNOVATION; To promote and reward creativity and embrace best practices in service delivery INTEGRITY; To uphold good conduct and ethics in all our operations ACCOUNTABILITY; Transparent and socially responsible PROFESSIONALISM; Committed to excellence through continuous improvement EQUITY; Committed to fairness in all our undertakings OUR OBJECTIVES AND PURPOSE Include to finance:• Development of tourism products and services; • Marketing of Kenya as a tourist destination through the Tourism Board; • Activities of the Protection Service; • Tourism research, tourism intelligence and the national tourism information management system; • Activities of the Tourism Sector Safety, Communication and Crisis Management Centre; • Training and capacity development activities; and • To mobilize resources to support tourism-related activities OUR FUNCTIONS TO:• Collect the Tourism Levy Imposed under section 105 of the Tourism Act 2011; • Establish equip and control such other tourism and hospitality training institution as it may be necessary upon approval by the Minister; • Formulate sound policies for the regulations and management of the Fund; • Determine the amounts of money payable for the purpose of the fund and formulate the conditions for disbursement and • Establish a tourism training revolving fund among others sd dfdsf dsf ds f contents With Determination, Nothing Would Stop us! pg5 Tourism Fund’s new dawn...... pg6 Communication opens doors to every good thing pg14 The Tourism Fund Journey into the Future pg15 Public Relations Society of Kenya Summit pg19 Kakamega Stakeholders Forum pg20 Tourism Fund Marking Kenya at 50, pg21 The Fund Awards Students pg22 Tourism Fund Donation of Computers to Kibabii University College pg 23 Also inside: • Coastal Clean Up pg27 • Strategy Validation Workshop pg28 • Tourism Fund a step ahead of the rest of the nation, pg29 • Kenya to Host World Conference on Public Relations in Emerging Economies 2015, pg30 • Charting modalities of a tourism and hospitality professional body, pg31 • The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, pg32 • LETS RACE, pg 33 • A safe workplace is no accident!, pg34 Tips For Better Work-Life Balance, pg35 September–December, 2014 | 3 sdEditor’s dfdsf dsf Note ds f A new baby in the house Dear Members, W elcome to the First Issue of the TF EXPRESS Magazine. We couldn’t be more excited to have made it to this point. This is my first letter to readers as editor of this magazine, and I’m proud of it, proud of our CEO and our staff for having the faith and the foresight to embrace this venture. I hope you will find this a useful update on our activities and would like to thank everyone who has supported this edition by providing useful information. A central component of this issue is a roundup of details of Tourism Fund events and activities concerning the Organization. I hope this issue which touches on many activities that the organization participated in- helps get your wheels turning. The cyclical nature of our activities and the need to keep the momentum moving forward with ambition and enthusiasm places a significant challenge to all members and particularly to Editorial team, who have been extremely proactive. Of course, the new magazine is still very much a work in progress; even as we’re closing this issue, we can already see what we want to change in the next. I am looking forward to continuing this productive channel of information interchange throughout the Tourism Fund family. The future success of the TF EXPRESS depends on your comments, contributions and ideas. I do encourage all of you to try your utmost best to enrich the forthcoming edition. Editor 4| September–December, 2014 sd dfdsf dsf ds f CEO's Statement With Determination, Nothing Would Stop us! It has been an exciting and busy start to 2014 for TF as we prepare ourselves for a transition in our business structure and strategic plan as part of our next stage of growth. O ur strong reputation as a respected tourism funding corporation in Kenya has provided us with a solid platform for growth. This growth has enabled us to be innovative and creative. It is with great pleasure that Tourism Fund presents you with the first ever in-house magazine. We have been striving for years to enhance the positive impact of tourism on people, the environment and simultaneously minimise its negative ramifications. We believe the organisation can make a major contribution to ensuring sustainable tourism development within its scope and the resources at its disposal. Through the commitments we have made, we demonstrate that sustainability is a core pillar in our corporate strategy. We look forward to further developing in this field to ensure that every customer benefits from our wide range of services in full confidence. TF has also extensively integrated its Corporate Social Responsibility activities into its overall business strategy over the years. This is not to say that all endeavours have been without their obstacles. We have encountered a number of challenges but we are confident we will achieve further progress in 2015. Needless to say, the progress made over the past year makes me immensely proud and I would like to extend my personal congratulations to all the members of staff as well as to all other stakeholders for their efforts. Their determined commitment to our collective targets and their impressive achievements are a clear example of how an industry-wide initiative can truly make a difference. We should, however, not be complacent – even with our targets within reach. Over the following year we will review our goals in light of our recent progress. We will continue to work together and provide Corporate Affairs department with the necessary support to continue with their mitigation efforts. We look forward to many more editions and constructive cooperation. Allan W. Chenane CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER September–December, 2014 | 5 sd dfdsf dsf ds f Tourism Fund’s new dawn...... S SGS Managing Director Albert Stockell (right) presenting the CS East African Affairs Commerce and Tourism Hon. Phyllis Kandie with the TF ISO 9001;2008 certificate 6| ong, dance, plenty of colour and – more importantly, basketfuls of words of wisdom – splendidly ushered in Tourism Fund’s new dawn. Pithy and witty words from the evening’s speakers elicited appreciative laughter and applause from the tickled audience. By the time the curtains came down on TF’s launch of brand, strategic plan and award of ISO certification, guests had not only been entertained but also enlightened on many scores. It was the evening of Wednesday 17th September. September–December, 2014 The venue was Sarova Panafric Hotel, Nairobi which is located just a stone-throw away from the plot on which TF is putting up its home. The Kayamba Africa ensemble led by veteran performer Richard Nyikang’o set the tone for the evening with their catchy tunes. The six-man band belted out slow numbers. They sang faster tunes too, and brought back nostalgic memories for elderly in the room who had in the past listened to these songs drawn from Kenya and Africa’ rich musical heritage. When Nigerian motivational speaker Dr. Wale Akinyemi took to the podium to perform what he read in the programme as ‘climate setting,’ he jokingly expressed his bewilderment at what this term meant. But immediately he plunged into his act, he captivated. For the few minutes he held the microphone, he kept his audience captive with his endless list of anecdotes that illuminated the theme of the evening: transformation. Whether citing a butterfly’s transformation from egg through several stages into the beautiful creature that fascinates people or giving the example of how buildings are white-washed on the outside to impress visiting dignitaries in Africa, Dr. Wale’s words gripped his audience. When he narrated how his techsavvy children demonstrate how ‘analogue’ he is when it comes to watching TV, Dr. Wale, Chief Transformation Officer of Power Talks left his listeners in stitches. His message was clear though: that TF could only claim to have rebranded if its people were transformed from the inside. This is what he referred to as “mental rebranding” and emphasized that “our activity needs to lead to productivity” as opposed to “rotating round on the same spot.” Dr. Wale’s powerful and inspiring talk gave way to the business of the day. East African Cooperation and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Mrs. Phyllis Kandie accompanied by her Principal Secretary, Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed, unveiled TF’s new brand: the corporate colours, logo and . The two ministry chiefs, flanked by TF TF Launch LEFT: Tourism fund CEO Allan Chenane (right) with the CS Hon. Phyllis Kandie and PS Dr. Ibrahim Mohamed during the launch BELOW: TF staff join the CS Hon. Phyllis Kandie to receive the ISO 9001:2008 certificate. Chief Executive Office Allan Chenane, proceeded to sign the cloth with two bright green colours on a background of pure white. Just underneath the words Tourism Fund was the tag line: Propelling Kenyan tourism. At the front row to witness the unveiling of the brand was a cast of captains of industry including KTB CEO Mureithi Ndegwa, KICC MD Fred Simiyu, Boma of Kenya GM Quresh Ahmed, KUC Principal Dr. Kenneth Ombongi, PERAK CEO Lillian Kalela, the Nairobi County Executive incharge of trade and tourism Anne Othoro and Deputy Auditor John Kigondu who represented Auditor General Edward Ouko. The Cabinet Secretary also officially launched TF’s new web site as well as its Strategic Plan for 2014/2015-2018/2019. An artist’s impression of the TF Headquarters features on the cover of the plan. Then it was the turn of global standards audit firm SGS to present TF with its new 9001:2008 certificate. Before handing over the certificate, SGS Managing Director Albert Stockell remarked that by going for recertification for the quality management system, TF had September–December, 2014 | 7 sdTF dfdsf Launch dsf ds f demonstration its commitment to achieving and exceeding customer expectations. This was also On his part, a grinning Mr. Chenane said he was delighted that the Fund had attained a major milestone that evening with its quadruple of achievements. He declared that he was humbled by the presence of the many guests on this auspicious occasion. Visibly excited with the heady achievements, he thanked the Ministry of Tourism and East African Cooperation and in particular the Cabinet Secretary for support and guidance during the journey that culminated in the day’s events. While preparing for ISO re-certification, TF, with the permission of the ministry, closed its offices for a two-day retreat of intense learning, he revealed to guests at the cocktail party. He also expressed his gratitude to stakeholders and especially “those who have worked for us, with us and were involved in the rebranding process.” Mr. Chenane acknowledged the presence of KTB, Utalii, KICC and Bomas bosses as Mr. Philip Kung’u, the Lead Consultant of the TF building project. 8| The TF CEO announced that because the Fund was putting up its headquarters, it would seek certification for environmental standards to demonstrate its compliance with regulations on the environment. Mr. Chenane referred to his staff as ‘mavericks’ who had taken the Fund to the Company of the Year Award (COYA) and enabled it win accolades. He promised that TF was “changing for good” and that “the sky is the limit” for the organization. He had words of praise for the TF family which had worked hard to ensure the strategic plan was in place. In the plan, TF had set itself an ambitious target of collecting Sh.6 billion worth of levy within the next five years. Saying TF as an institution dreams and lives Information Technology, Mr. Chenane said ‘analogue’ was not in the staff’s vocabulary. He intimated that all would soon have iPads for ease of communications from anywhere – including the field. He reserved praise for TF’s IT guru Isaiah for the magic he had worked on the new web site. The highly eloquent Dr. September–December, 2014 Mohamed congratulated TF for its achievements of the evening. He noted that as a key player in the industry, TF helps fund the marketing of tourism which accounts for more than ten per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP). He appreciated the great support that TF gives to Kenya Utalii College which trains personnel for the tourism and hospitality industry. “Thanks to this support, our Utalii graduates work in Europe, Asia and other parts of the world,” he said. The PS thanked TF for helping implement the country’s MICE strategy and was gratified that it is through such efforts that Kenya will host a global Public Relations forum in Mombasa next year. The highlight of the evening was when the CS joined TF staff in dance to celebrate the Fund’s multiple achievements. Photographers clicked away furiously to capture the memorable moment. Then it was time for guests to nibble Kenyan delicacies and down them with their favourite drink to cap a fun-filled evening. BELOW: CS East African Affairs Commerce and Tourism Hon. Phyllis Kandie addressing audience at the Launch CS Message Tourism Fund a step ahead of the rest of the nation T ourism Fund is a step ahead of the rest of the nation in implementing the Tourism Act 2011 that was crafted to help revive the industry. TF’s rebranding has positioned it to propel Kenyan tourism, according to Ministry of Tourism and East African Cooperation Cabinet Secretary Mrs. Phyllis Kandie. The CS presided over TF’s launch of its new corporate identity, strategic plan and web site as well as the presentation of the ISO 9001:2008 by SGS in Nairobi on 17th September. She noted that the adoption of a quality management system will increase the parastatal’s productivity. While saying she was excited to be at the event, the CS, how- ever, had a word of caution for TF, warning that developing a five-year plan and rebranding were easy; implementation is key. “Implementation. Implementation. Implementation,” emphasized Mrs. Kandie. She insisted that “Kenya has it all to attract three million tourists by 2017” and labelled TF’s rebranding as a step in the right direction. Noting that the country has a 10,000-bed unmet capacity, she urged TF to ensure it invests in the development of hotels and resorts. “Kenya can count on its institutions to roll out initiatives to sustain the tourism sector,” said the CS. “TF has set a good example to the Ministry,” she added and challenged other agencies to emulate the Fund. Mrs. Kandie pointed out that Kenya’s tourism, which is responsible for 11 per cent of the gross domestic product (GDP) faces challenges. It is, she said, the responsibility of key players like TF “to guard and grow tourism.” “When the industry suffers its effects are painful across Kenya,” noted the CS. “If it prospers, there is a boom across all sectors of the economy.” She told her audience that Government was aggressively and continuously developing solutions to the challenges facing tourism. These solutions are encapsulated in the National Tourism Strategic Plan 2013 which, among other initiatives, suggests that the country diver- sifies its products to guarantee the stability and sustainability of the sector. Key among the niche tourism products to be promoted is conventions or MICE. The CS revealed that 82 acres have been set aside at the Bomas of Kenya for the establishment of a convention and exhibition centre that “will be the biggest in Africa.” Mrs. Kandie cited cultural tourism as another product that needs concerted promotion and was happy that some counties have invested in this promising aspect of tourism. She promised to partner with the counties to aggressively promote cultural tourism. She reported that in an exhibition in the United States this year, the Kenya stand sold culinary that flew off the shelves. This, said the CS, was an indication that Kenyan dishes are popular internationally. She therefore challenged Kenya Utalii College to explore possibilities of promoting local culinary abroad. Mrs. Kandie said the task force to advise the ministry on the rapid recovery of tourism laid emphasis on new destination marketing. It was also undertaking a public relations campaign to popularize local tourist destinations globally. The CS said she appreciates the efforts of TF CEO Allan Chenane and his staff. She also commended motivational speaker Dr. Wale for his engaging presentation. September–December, 2014 | 9 Launch Pictorial Tourism Fund’s Key stakeholders present at the launch Jubilant tourism fund staff socialize at the launch TF staff enjoying the cocktail at the Launch September–December, 2014 | 13 Coast Region Coast Region C oast Region is headed by Mr. David Mwangi who is the Regional Manager with 28 vibrant staff working under him who are spread in different departments. The departments include Levy department, Human Resource, ICT, and Finance. The region covers Mombasa, Taita Taveta, Kwale, Kilifi, Tana River and Lamu counties as well as part of Makueni County. For the purpose of efficient and effective levy collection, the region is further divided into five zone as follows; Island: Mombasa island South Coast: Likoni, Kwale, Diani all the way to Kenya Tanzania border. West: all the areas past Makupa causeway, Chan- gamwe, Voi,and Mtito Andei to Tsavo North Coast A: which covers Nyali, Bamburi, Kisauni, Mtwapa, and Shanzu, Bombolulu, Utange, Vipingo, Kanamai and Kilifi North Coast B: which covers Watamu, Malindi, Mpeketoni and Lamu The region participated in a number of activities this year including; Clean up drive, Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC) AND Mombasa County Tourism Associations MCTA forums, Mombasa International Cultural Festival, World Tourism Week among others. The Mombasa International Cultural Festival followed and was held as from 21st August 2014 to 24th August 2014 at the Mama Ngina drive. A cheque worth of Kshs 500,000 was donated towards the same drive. The aim of this event was to encourage and woo both local and international tourists to visit Mombasa because it was a safe haven. The Mombasa Governor Mr. Hassan Joho graced the occasion together with other county government officials. This event gave a new lease of life to the county, region and the county as a whole in the wake of low tourists visiting the country. TOP: Mr. Joseph Cherutoi Finance Manager Tourism Fund together with the Coast Regional Manager David Mwangi giving a cheque worth Kshs 500,000 sponsorship to the Mombasa County officials. INSET: (From L to R front row) David Mwangi Regional Manager Coast Region, Finance Manager Mr. Joseph Cherutoi, and Mombasa County officials Job Tumbo. September–December, 2014 | 15 sd CEO’s dfdsfBaraza dsf ds f Communication opens doors to every good thing T he inaugural CEO’s Baraza that is aimed at improving communication between the Fund’s employees and the CEO took place at the Nairobi branch office. It was attended by staff from both the Nairobi branch office and the heaquarters on May 28th, 2014 where employees freely interacted with the CEO. Through this program, employees, who ordinarily would not have an opportunity to talk to the CEO directly, get a chance to ask the CEO questions on work related issues. During the interaction, the CEO answered all the questions and also got an opportunity to ask some of his own. This dialogue gave the CEO useful insights on to the issues important to the employees. In addition, the program offered the CEO an opportunity to discuss ideas with some staff whose perspectives are different from his. The employees, too, had the platform to ask about company issues beyond the usual “sound-bite” level. While addressing the staff, the CEO Mr. Allan Chenane shared with employees his concerns on different areas of operation within the organization. He expressed his desire to entirely focus on TF and its stakeholders in order to position it to survive the next 50 or 100 years. In his first keynote address, the CEO said that at a time when organizations are engendering new ways to build high-performance teams; perhaps it was time to consider a family approach that places high premium on trust and values. A team work environment where camaraderie means having each other’s back and not being judgemental. A workplace culture that celebrates opportunities, 16 | September–December, 2014 transparency, diversity of thought and opinions of all to enrich conversations. “Treat each other like members of a family. Have each other’s back and always help one another improve; talent discovered and used in the right situations can seize opportunities rightly” he said. Mr. Chenane also told employees to be leaders and move beyond the traditional “fiefdoms” and bureaucracy. “It’s unfortunate when those among us don’t live up to the set standards. We expect that people will behave with integrity and rightfull so,” he said. “And when they don’t, we can’t tolerate it”. However, he praised workers at the organization’s reception for being proactive and fixing problems as they come. As demonstrable evidence, he cited an incident where the reception staff handled a client with a high sense of professionalism and friendliness. He encouraged the rest of the staff to follow the example of the receptionists and live the Tourism Fund’s core values. “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission. If you see something that’s wrong, correct it,” Mr. Chenane said, “We’ve got to thrust this company and its culture into the 21st century.” He challenged staff to suggest new and innovative ways of doing things. Consequently, the CEO promised to reward those who would bring novel ideas on board. In addition, he promised to recognize high achievers. “We have to change what we are doing or we are going to fail, and failure is simply not an option,” he said. Mrs. Margaret Njoka who chaired the session encouraged staff to speakup. She said: “Express your voice and allow your perspectives to be heard.” She continued to say the more all got involved in the conversation, the more they could benefit from a family environment that embraces differences. This she noted, builds loyalty, grows confidence and solidifies a foundation of trust. Additionally, the expression of multiple voices allows for the discovery of opportunities previously unseen. The management team present at the Baraza also had a chance to address staff. Speaking at the forum, TF Head of Finance Mr. Joseph Cherutoi lamented about negative thoughts, saying they can feed pessimism and create unnecessary stress. “You can learn to turn negative thoughts into positive ones. The process is straightforward, although it’s challenging, especially at first. Start by following one simple rule: Don’t say anything to yourself that you wouldn’t say to anyone else. Throughout the day, stop and evaluate what you’re thinking. If a negative thought enters your mind, evaluate it rationally and respond with affirmations of what is good about yourself,” he told the attentive staff. The overiding message at the forum from the rest of the management team was that; when you can define the standards of performance based on an understanding of what you stand for – it is much easier to establish expectations. These expectations should be based on the organization core values that everyone can embrace in order to build a trusted culture that is fair with no surprises. Cover Story The Tourism Fund Journey into the Future Catering Levy Trustees - 1972 Immediately after independence, Kenya identified tourism as a key pillar for the country’s socio-economic development. The Government integrated tourism in the emerging development blue print, Seasonal Paper No. 10 of 1969. In a joint study by the Governments of Kenya and Switzerland, it was noted that the development of human capacity was vital to the emerging sector. The idea of establishing a national tourism training institution was mooted. This idea culminated into the development of Kenya Utalii College, a world class centre of excellence. The question was how the new training institution would be sustained. In response, in 1972 the Hotels and Restaurants Act, Cap 494, Laws of Kenya (since repealed) was enacted. The legislation established Catering Levy Trustees. Trustees would collect a 2% training levy from hotels and restaurants and the funds would be used to finance training and operations at the new College. Since inauguration in 1975 to date, the College has received substantial financing from the Trustees and has produced up to 50,000 students. The students Ronald Ngala are serving the industry here at home and abroad. Trustees have supported the College in the sum of Kenya Shillings six billion, four hundred million two hundred and eight four thousand three hundred and fifty five (Kshs.6, 400,284,355) only over the past four decades. From a paltry Kenya Shillings one million a year in the 70’s, the College now gets almost Kenya Shillings four hundred million a year from the Levy Fund. CTDLT- 1997 In the intervening period, global tourism was growing rapidly. September–December, 2014 | 17 Cover Story Competition from other countries saw Kenya’s position as a preferred safari and beach tourism destination being challenged. Another emerging challenge was the long-term sustenance of funding for tourism marketing. In addition, it became necessary to relook at how standards for testing skills in the industry would be addressed. To address these emerging issues, the Government amended the Hotels and Restaurants Act in 1997 to enhance the mandate of Catering Levy Trustees. Further, the name of Trustees was changed to Catering and Tourism Development Levy Trustees (CTDLT). In the years, C.T.D.L.T discharged its statutory mandate as follows: Collecting and administering the 2% training levy. By 2012, Trustees collected a total of Kenya Shilling fourteen billion, seven hundred and forty million, one hundred and ninety one thousand, eight hundred and sixty nine shillings (Kshs.14,740,191,869) only; Establishing and developing national standards for testing of skills required by the tourism industry. Trustees developed more than 1,700 industry standards, 14 curricula of which 2 modules are currently in use in training tour guides in various training institutions and over 1000 tour guides trained all over the country. In addition, 450 Training Institutions were inspected out of which 89 were found qualified to train to international standards and accordingly, have been certified. The remaining institutions have been granted various grace periods to upgrade; Trustees have funded the Kenya Tourist Board to promote Kenya as a tourist destination both locally and internationally 18 | September–December, 2014 to the tune of Kenya Shillings one billion, eight hundred and five million, five hundred and ninety two thousand six hundred and fifty(Kshs.1,805,592,650) only; Trustees have put in place measures to develop the second national tourism training College at Kilifi. The Government made a deliberate move to establish the second national tourism training institution at the Coast. This College would not only complement Kenya Utalii College training efforts but also specialize in train- Cover Story the next five years or so; In its operations, Trustees have employed 180 staff who are based in its offices at Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Nyeri; Trustees also initiated the construction of its office block along Valley Road. The Office Block should be completed by mid 2014; and In its endeavour to become a truly world class organization, Trustees put in place measures to incorporate excellence and performance based management in its structures. Trustees, like all public institutions, participate in performance contracting. In addition, Trustees have also participated in external evaluation processes including the Kenya Institute of Management’s Company of the Year Award where it has won several awards competing with the private sector. Tourism Fund - 2012 ing in new areas like cruise tourism, leisure and further introduce courses that target players who are already in the industry but may not have had formal training through the introduction of competency based training and refresher courses. The development of Ronald Ngala Utalii College in Kilifi is ongoing and the College should be ready in In line with the need to harmonize and regulate the Industry better, the Ministry of Tourism led stakeholders in coming up with the National Tourism Policy and the Tourism Act, Act 2011. The new legal and policy framework reviewed the old order established immediately after independence. The new order streamlined all tourism agencies under a single legislation and laid out the broad framework for the sector to achieve the Vision 2030 goal of making Kenya one of the top ten, long haul tourist destination in the world offering high-end, diverse and distinctive visitor experience. In the new Act, which came into operation on 1st September 2012, the Tourism Fund was formed to replace CTDLT. The Fund was established to finance September–December, 2014 | 19 Cover Story the following:• Development of tourism products and services; • Marketing of Kenya as a tourist destination through the Tourism Board; • Activities of the Protection Service; • Tourism research, tourism intelligence and the national tourism information manage ment system; • Activities of the Tourism sec tor safety, communication and crisis management centre; • Training and capacity devel opment activities; and • Mobilize resources to support tourism related activities. To achieve the foregoing, the Fund has been granted the mandate to, among others, perform the following functions: •Collect and administer the Levy Fund; • Establish, equip and control tourism and hospitality train ing institutions; and • Establish a tourism training revolving fund. THE FUTURE: The Tourism Fund projects that over the next few years, it will put in place structures to raise the country’s tourism profile and flag even higher. To achieve this noble goal, the Fund is putting in place a framework that will ensure the following: • Achieve its statutory man date; • Generate more revenue to support the beneficiaries; • The development of diverse tourism products that will give a unique experience to 20 | September–December, 2014 both local and international visitors. This will see a strategic shift for the country to move away from concentrating on beach and safari tourism as has been the norm in the past half century; The development of a sustainable financing model for both short term and long term industry needs ranging from tourism training through institutional building all the way to product identification and subsequent development in collaboration with the parent Ministry and the Treasury; To evolve into a truly world class organization that applies excellence management and international best practice and staff development; To make tourism training accessible to all Kenyans through the Revolving Fund; and To give back to the community, especially the ones that support tourism, through integrated Corporate Social Responsibility activities in key areas to be identified. sd dfdsf dsf ds f Stakeholders attentive at the forum Kakamega Stakeholders Forum T Samuel Ngari during his presentation at the stakeholder forum 22 | his year, the Tourism Fund rolled out a campaign to educate and create awareness about its mandate and functions among the key stakeholders across the country. After successful completion of Garissa levy payers open day, the Fund held a forum to educate its key stakeholders on levy payment with the aim of promoting western tourism circuit as a domestic tourism destination. The forum which was hosted at Kakamega Golf hotel drew a large number of attendants from across the region. While Kenya is famous worldwide for September–December, 2014 its excellent Game Parks and Reserves and idyllic tropical beaches, there are large areas of the country that remain largely unknown and seldom visited. The Western part of Kenya is an area of great geographic, cultural and natural diversity, offering tourists just as much, if not more, than many of Kenya’s better known tourist areas. “Kenya is keeping pace with the demands of the international tourism market, and offering a diversified range of destinations beyond simply wildlife and beach safaris” said TF CEO Allan Chenane. Western Kenya tourism circuit has the capacity to outpace other areas in the country. However, over the years, the region has attracted a meager share of visitors coming to Kenya due to poor marketing and low investor confidence. Speaking at the event, Mr Chenane said: “Despite the windfall that the Obama factor brought to the Western circuit, local entrepreneurs were not well prepared and did not move fast enough to react to the influx of tourists.” He also encouraged stake- holders from Kakamega County to package the spectacular traditional bullfight as a tourism product. Such events are crowdpullers for the local Luhya community. This breathtaking spectacle represents a significant cultural link between traditional African cattle culture and the art of bullfighting as practiced throughout Southern Europe. TF’s Samuel Ngari educated the stakeholders on there responsibilities of paying the 2% Tourism Levy as pronounced in the Tourism Act 2011. In his presentation, he demonstrated to the stakeholders how to calculate the 2% levy. During his presentation, Mr Ngari said, support from tourism stakeholders is essential for the development, successful operation, and long-term sustainability of tourism. For Tourism Fund to be able to fund the sustainability and development of tourism industry, the owners of every regulated tourism activity and services under the Tourism Act 2011 should abide by the rules and regulations in paying the 2% tourism levy. Kenya@50 Tourism Fund Marking Kenya at 50 LEFT: Tourism Fund staff take clients through the organization’s milestones BELOW: From left, Tourism Fund CEO Allan Chenane, Kenya Utalii College Principal Kenneth Ombongi and Kenya Tourism Board Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa when they visited the stand. T ourism Fund came up with an insightful way of celebrating Kenya’s Jubilee year officially launched by the president of Kenya, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyata, through an exhibition at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre ground to showcase Tourism Fund evolvement and changes the organization has gone through since its existence in 1972. The exhibition took place from 4th December 2013 to 10th December at the KICC ground. The Kenyan@ 50 steering committees organized a 7 day exhibition at Kenyatta international convention centre (KIC C) where public institutions participated to showcase their contribution to national development over the last 50 years. The event gave an opportunity to highlight the changes in the ministries, state corporations and other institutions have undergone since independence. The exhibition provided a rich display that attracted a great audience who were interested to know what Tourism Fund is all about. This provides us with a perfect platform to promote awareness of our services to a broader group that had a little or no knowledge of our services. September–December, 2014 | 23 Social Responsibility Tourism Fund Donation of Computers to Kibabii University College K ibabii University College is a Constituent College of MasindeMuliro University of Science and Technology. The establishment of Kibabii University College (KIBUCO) owes its origins to Kibabii Teachers’ Training College, the precursor to the current Kibabii University College that started operations in March 2012 through legal notice No.115 The Faculty of Information and Communication Technology, the most recent to be created under the School of Computing and Informatics is yet to be equipped with the required computers, printers etc to make it fully functional and operational for both the students and the lecturers. Consequently, through our CSR Program, the Fund purchased computers not only to equip the learning institution but as a way of promoting and enhancing Science and Techno- logy in this digital era. The Principal in his welcoming remarks thanked the Tourism Fund fraternity for equipping the institution’s Computer Lab. The countless manifestations of science pervade our world, and they profoundly affect the social, economic, and cultural outlooks of societies and individuals alike. Moreover, the accumulation of scientific knowledge and its technological applications is accelerating at dizzying speed, enabled in large part by powerful computers and lightning-fast communications. As competition in science and technology heats up around the world, science and technology is a key ingredient in ensuring future innovation. In that regard, Tourism Fund donated computers to Kibabii University with a view to building a strong popular constituency for science and technology in the institution. ABOVE: Staff from TF and KUC pose with the ICT gadgets that were donated by Tourism Fund. BELOW: Tourism Fund CEO Mr. Allan Chenane(2nd from left, front row), Kibabii University College Principal Prof. Isaac I. Odeo(4th from left, front row) flanked by the TF and KUC staff who participated in the computer presentation event. September–December, 2014 | 25 CSR Pictorial ABOVE AND RIGHT: Tourism Fund staff in Coast Region donating umbrella to Traffic police in Mombasa. LEFT: TF CEO Allan Chenane views the blueprint for the construction of Rarua Primary School classroom. 26 | September–December, 2014 Tourism Fund CEO Mr. Allan Chenane (left) donates medical gloves to Mr. Abbas Gullet Secretary General for Kenya Red Cross (center) during the Westgate Mall terrorism attack. Looking on is Mr Willis Ondiek former Tourism Fund Head of Quality and Assurance. Memory Records Tourism Fund staff (foreground) and Loigero Primary School pupil (background) plant seedlings during the tree planting project sponsored by TF at the school ground. Staff pose for a group photo at the Public Relations & Communications Management appreciation course. Loigero Primary School students entertain TF staff with a colorful traditional Maasai dance. Tourism Fund staff and outlook solution team in a group photo at Masinga Dam resort after drafting the strategic plan. 28 | September–December, 2014 The Environment ABOVE: Tourism Fund environmental committee members prepare for the town clean up RIGHT: The Fund staff conducting clean up drive in Mombasa while displaying a banner 30 | September–December, 2014 The Environment Coastal Clean Up T BELOW: Cleaning with a smile: clearing the sewer from trash he Mombasa County Government, in liaison with all the Tourism Stakeholders in the country held a cleanup exercise along the Airport Road, stretching from the Airport to Changamwe roundabout. The exercise was part of the monthly town clean up activity meant to create awareness and demonstrate the need for personal responsibility on waste management. Environmental Sustainability helps prevent global warming and climate change. One example of environmental sus- tainability is simply through cleaning. Cleanliness in the environment contributes a lot in maintaining a clean and serene surrounding. Cleaning is a simple but helpful way of maintaing a healthy environment. As part of the environmental target stipulated in the Performance Contract 2013/2014, the Environment Committee indicated the need to develop and implement environment awareness creation programs as part of its deliverables in the 3rd Quarter 2013/2014. The purpose of the program is to ensure solid waste is managed in a way that protects both public health and the environment. Through teamwork and group effort, we helped Mombasa County Government through this program. The Mombasa County Ministry of Tourism and Culture was represented by its Tourism Director Ms. Lilian Ayimba with Tourism Fund represented by the Coast Regional Office staff and the Environmental Committee Members from both Headquarters and the Nairobi Region. September–December, 2014 | 31 Conference Kenya to Host World Conference on Public Relations in Emerging Economies 2015 K enya will host the first Special World Conference on public relations and communication management in emerging economies. The conference will be hosted by the Public Relations Society of Kenya on November 15-18, 2015 in corroboration with the Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management. The conference, announced during the closing stages of the 2014 World Public Relations Forum in Madrid, Spain, will bring together practitioners and academicians from across the globe to look at particular challenges facing practitioners working in an evolving and continually changing environment. The announcement was a culmination of a long winded journey embarked on collectively, by a select team from 32 | September–December, 2014 the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK), The Ministry of Information Communication Telecommunication (Min. ICT), Kenya International Conference Center (KICC), Kenya Tourist Board (KTB) and Tourism Fund (TF) in 2012. Thereafter, the team moved to Melbourne Australia the following year where intense canvassing continued. And finally, the all important announcement was first made here. Ms Anne Green, the President of Green Alliance made the final confirmation in Madrid, Spain a year later. I still recall the remarks of Daniel Tisch, the copresente/Co chairman of WPRF quoting the Masaai saying, “when you want to walk fast, walk alone and when you want to walk far walk as a team,” that preceded the moment that sent the Africa delegation into wild jubilation and celebration. The serene Palacine De confrees was turned into a Kenyan enclave, albeit momentarily with the Jambo Bwana Karibu Kenya ballad renting the air. I felt nostalgic as tears of joy welled in my eyes as the organizers bestowed my country with this top honor despite the myriad challenges it faces. We returned home like imperious warriors but without the usual ecstatic crowds that you would find welcoming home popular politicians. To many, the award counts for nothing, at least for now. But come 2015 many will obviously begin to appreciate the importance of this privilege. In his acceptance remarks, the Principal Secretary, Ministry of Information Communication and Technology (ICT), Mr. Joseph Tiampati ole Musuni, noted that the conference will give international PR and com- A Picture of the Kenya Delegation at the World Public Relations Forum L-R Grace Munjuri, Amos Kiangwe, Mildred Yiamat, Japheth Muthomi, Leah Eshitemi, Margaret Maranga, Naim Bilal, Ambassador Bramwel Kisuya, Justin Green, PRSK Chair Jane Gitau, Ezekiel Mutua, Kentice Tikolo, Arik Karani, Roselyn Rotich, Hon Rachel Ameso, Joseph Tiampati ole Musuni, Hon Vincent Musau, Mathao Perera, Hon Banticha Jaldesa, John Maina Kairu, Timothy, Lokopia, Peter Mutie, Rachel Alwala, Patricia Ondeng, Noella Mutanda. Others not in the picture – Angela Nganga, Wausi Walya, Daniel Muoki, Mary Ombara and Michael Owora Conference munication practitioners the opportunity to interact with a world that has evolved and made great strides over the years. Thanking the Global Alliance Board for their consideration, he said it was an honor for the Government and the people of Kenya. The cultural, social and economic impact of public relations will be considered and, as Global Alliance Chair Anne Gregory commented, the Kenyan conference provides a vital opportunity for professionals to exchange ideas and innovations made in the field. “Kenya is uniquely placed to hold this conference which will have particular and significant relevance for those public relations professionals around the world who are bogged T with specific issues surrounding emerging economies and the role of public relations and communication management in economic and social progress. “The Global Alliance is delighted to be cooperating with Kenya and we look forward to meeting next year to discuss these issues in depth.” Kentice Tikolo, outgoing Chairman of the Public Relations Society of Kenya added: “There is real need for an exchange of information and ideas surrounding practice in emerging economies and we are very happy to invite practitioners and other interested professionals to meet in Kenya and discuss the challenges and opportunities presented during periods of development and change. “We will have specialist speakers on the subject as well as some academic insights and contributions - it promises to be an absorbing and useful conference.” The Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) aims to advance excellence in public relations in Kenya and to ensure that the practice continues to thrive within the ethical framework defined by the profession. The Global Alliance for Public Relations and Communication Management is the confederation of the world’s major PR and communication management associations and institutions, representing 160,000 practitioners and academics around the world. The Global Alliance works to raise professional standards all over the world and share knowledge. Charting modalities of a tourism and hospitality professional body he idea for a legally recognized Tourism and Hospitality professional Organisation with in the Tourism industry is well overdue. The Tourism Fund in its objective towards funding of continuous robust capacity building of Human resource with in the industry, sponsored the team to initiate mapping of modalities for the formation of the Tourism and Hospitality Professional body. The team which was led by the CEO Mr. Allan Chenane, and members from various recognizable institutions assembled at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha. The creation of this professional body will enable tourism and hospitality professional body speak with one voice and the government, corporate, the public and all other organisations will call on this body for services just like any other professional organization. Tourism Fund CEO Mr. Allan Chenane in his key note stated that it Members pose for a group photo during the workshop for the formation of a tourism and hospitality professional body at the Great Rift Valley Lodge in Naivasha. is common knowledge that in today’s world every professional must belong to a professional body to be recognized. “All professionals in this country belong to an association that unites them and keeps them strong on a professional basis” said Mr. Chenane He also added that, “Today is yet another milestone for the tourism industry as we all embark on this noble journey of forming a tourism and hos- pitality professional association”. The creation of this body is informed by the fact that there are various associations that seem to work and speak at cross-purpose with each other. For instance during disasters, these associations seem to compete for attention at times without offering credible services. The formation of a professional body will curb such like events. September–December, 2014 | 33 Conference Kenya wins the bid to host the 40Th ATA World Congress K enya has won the bid to host next year’s Africa Travel Association (ATA) World Congress. The country has also won bids to host the World Public Relations Forum and the Skal International Congress in 2015. Cabinet Secretary for East African Affairs, Tourism and Commerce, Phyllis Kandie said: “The successful bid for the ATA conference is good news as we refocus on Meetings Incentives Conference and Exhibition segment, which is rapidly growing, especially in Nairobi and other major towns,” she said. “The international events are a show of confidence in our country.” Uganda hosted the 39th ATA Congress in November. This Congress was attended by Africa Tourism Ministers, International Tourism Organisations, industry leaders in Hotel Chains, International Travel Agencies and Destination Marketing Organisations. The Africa Travel Association was established as an international travel industry trade association in 1975 to promote travel, tourism and transport to and within Africa, and to strengthen intra-Africa partnerships. ATA share a commitment with the African Union with whom they have a long standing MOU to champion development and promote travel tourism to Africa. ATA’s signature event in Africa provides a networking, learning and agenda-shaping platform for the most diverse group of tourism industry stake- holders of any travel industry event on the continent. The event addressed timely industry topics, offered a lineup of educational and professional development opportunities and showcased the host destination’s newest products and services. Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Managing Director Muriithi Ndegwa, who delivered a paper on marketing African destinations, noted that insecurity, political instability, infrastructure and air connectivity remain the key challenges. He added that low air connectivity has also dealt a blow to smooth travel. He said the adoption of an “open sky” policy, and acquisition of more routes by African carriers flying to Africa destinations and affordable air fares will reverse the current situation by improving propensity to travel. The Ebola crisis in West Africa dominated the week-long ATA congress as a major threat to tourism with member states rallying behind a campaign to create awareness on the foot print of the epidemic. The congress saw a good number of international participation of more than twenty countries in attendance, from host nation Uganda to Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Zambia, South Africa, the Seychelles, Turkey, Switzerland, Italy, the UK, Canada and the US, giving Uganda a unique opportunity to showcase herself as one of Africa’s foremost adventure destinations. In contrast, Kenya will now embark on its journey towards the 40th ATA Annual Congress to be held in November next year and no doubt will pull out all the stops to exceed the number of delegates and visitors, using it as a major platform to showcase Kenya and in the run-up to the event, telling the world that Kenya is safe to visit. ABOVE: Tourism Fund’s Muna Hassan and other delegates listening to the CS speech. INSET: CS for East African Affairs Commerce and Tourism Phyllis Kandie, address delegates during a luncheon hosted by her ministry and Magical Kenya. September–December, 2014 | 35 Sports T LET’S RACE ourism Fund joined other key stakeholders to sponsor the 25th Maralal international camel derby in Samburu County. The derby whose key objective is to showcase culture and promote peace among the communities in the regions has grown over years attracting both local and international participation. Maralal town is mostly a market town but the growth of tourism in the region in recent years has ensured that is serves as a base for tourist activities such as wilderness walks, white water rafting and Camel safaris and of course the Maralal Camel Derby. This remote desert town is a haven for adventurers and nomads wanting to experience Kenya’s wild north. The three days event included activities like; Camel race, marathon race, bike race and cultural displays which saw over 16 different countries participating, an indication that the event has gained popularity. The event did not only attract participant from county levels but also international participant such as; United States, Britain, Germany, Netherlands, India, Ghana, and France. Consequently boosting tourism in the County. Camel has been the mode of transport for people in the region for centuries and as such a camel derby is part of the way of life. The single humped dromedary is the vehicle of choice and each year in August people gather to celebrate their animals. Gracing the event, Samburu county governor Moses K. Lenolkulal pledged his commitment to sustain and conserve the derby for promotion of peace among its neighbouring tribes that is the Turkana, Borana and Pokot Community and also to showcase the rich culture of the Samburu community. With this year’s theme being promoting conservation and tourism through sports and culture, TF being 36 | September–December, 2014 Participants embarked on the camels ready to race Marathon race flagged off at the Camel derby Tourism Fund staff join Samburu County government officials to plan trees part of the main sponsors of the derby gave out Ksh.230, 000.00 in support for the event facilitation. Apart from sponsoring the event, TF participated in showcasing its services through exhibition to improve the organization corporate, brand visibility especially with the eminent unveiling of the new Tourism Brand in September 2014 and educating the stakeholders of our mandates according to the Tourism Act 2011. Tourism Fund being an environmentally friendly organization and in regard to its commitment to conserve the environment; planted trees to leave a green foot print behind. Safety A safe workplace is no accident! Staying healthy and safe at work is important. No matter what your job is, it is important to reduce the risk of injury and/or illness at work! Tourism Fund is committed to make our workplace as safe and comfortable, as possible. As employees, we are all responsible for our safety in the workplace. On behalf of the Safety and Health Committee, I wish to share a few safety tips to ensure that we take better care of ourselves! and other PPE’s (personal protective equipment) can dramatically reduce your risk of injury. Stay sober. Alcohol and drugs are a contributing factor in around three per cent of workplace fatalities. It is not permissible to report for duty while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Take regular breaks. Staying fresh and alert will help you avoid injury or burnout. Schedule the most difficult tasks of each day for times when your concentration is best, for example early in the morning. Avoid stooping or twisting. Understand the risks. Once you know the particular hazards of your job or workplace, you can take steps to reduce your risk of work-related injury or illness. Reduce workplace stress. Common causes include long hours, heavy workload, job insecurity and conflicts with co-workers or bosses. Stress can lead to depression, sleeping difficulties and problems with concentration. Use ergonomically designed furniture and equipment, and rearrange your work area so that everything you need is within easy reach. Protect your back. If you do need to pick up and carry heavy loads, keep the load close to your body and lift with your thigh muscles. Your back is delicate and needs to be protected. Spinal injuries are serious! Talk over any concerns. Your supervisor needs to be informed about hazards and risks that you encounter when performing your duties. We can then work together to ensure that Tourism Fund is a safe working environment. Wear protective equipment to suit the task. If worn correctly, gear such as earplugs, dust coats, dust masks September–December, 2014 | 37 Entertainment Office Humor Motivational Quotes A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the bricks others have thrown at him. ~David Brinkley There are two types of people who will tell you that you cannot make a difference in this world: those who are afraid to try and those who are afraid you will succeed. ~Ray Goforth Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. ~Jim Ryun Pay Raise Joke Sam walks into his boss’s office. “Sir, I’ll be straight with you, I know the economy isn’t great, but I have over three companies after me, and I would like to respectfully ask for a payraise.” After a few minutes of haggling the boss finally agrees to a 5% raise, and Sam happily gets up to leave. “By the way”, asks the boss as Sam is getting up, “which three companies are after you?” “The electric company, water company, and phone company”, Sam replied. A fellow stopped at a rural gas station and, after filling his tank, he paid the bill and bought a soft drink. He stood by his car to drink his cola and he watched a couple of men working along the roadside. One man would dig a hole two or three feet deep and then move on. The other man came along behind and filled in the hole. While one was digging a new hole, the other was about 25 feet behind filling in the old. The men worked right past the fellow with the soft drink and went on down the road. “I can’t stand this,” said the man tossing the can in a trash container and heading down the road toward the men. “Hold it, hold it,” he said to the men. “Can you tell me what’s going on here with this digging?” “Well, we work for the county government,” one of the men said. “But one of you is digging a hole and the other is filling it up. You’re not accomplishing anything. Aren’t you wasting the county’s money?” “You don’t understand, mister,” one of the men said, leaning on his shovel and wiping his brow. “Normally there’s three of us–me, Rodney and Mike. I dig the hole, Rodney sticks in the tree and Mike here puts the dirt back.” “Yea,” piped up Mike. “Now just because Rodney’s sick, that don’t mean we can’t work, does it?” An Old Occupation What happens when people of different occupations get old? • Old accountants never die, they just lose their balance • Old cashiers never die, they just check out • Old chauffeurs never die, they just lose their drive • Old cleaning people never die, they just kick the bucket • Old journalists never die, they just get de-pressed • Old lawyers never die, they just lose their appeal • Old printers never die, they’re just not the type • Old ministers never die, they just get put out to pastor. September–December, 2014 | 39 TF County Cluster COUNTY CLUSTERS BY REGION 1. Nairobi Region 1. Nairobi county 2. Makueni County 3. Machakos 4. Kiambu 5. Garissa 6. Marsabit 7. Kajiado 8. Garissa 9. Mandera 10. Wajir 2. Coast Region 1. Mombasa County 2. Kwale County 3. Kilifi County 4. Taita Taveta County 5. Tana River County 6. Lamu County 3. West Kenya Region 1. Kisumu County 2. Kakamega County 3. Busia County 4. Bungoma County 5. Bomet County 6. Vihiga County 7. Siaya County 8. Homa Bay County 9. Migori County 10. Kisii County 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. Nyamira County Kericho County Turkana County West Pokot County Trans Nzoia County Uasin Gishu County Elgeyo Marakwet Nandi County 4. Rift Valley Region 1. Nakuru County 2. Samburu County 3. Baringo County 4. Nyandarua County 5. Narok County 6. Part of Laikipia County 5. Central Region 1. Isiolo County 2. Meru County 3. Tharaka Nithi 4. Nyeri County 5. Embu County 6. Kirinyaga County 7. Part of Laikipia OFFICE RELOCATION ANNOUNCEMENT We wish to inform all stakeholders that with effect from 1st November, 2014 our Coast Regional Office moved from SHEETAL PLAZA - MOHDAR MOHAMMED HABIB ROAD to:PEREIRA BUILDING, 3rd Floor, Machakos Road, (off Moi Avenue), P. O. Box 99832-80100, Mombasa, Kenya. Tel: 041-220 493, Mobile: 0717 359 971/ 0787 359 97, Toll Free line: 0800 221 0915/0800 772 2109, Email: info@tourismfund.co.ke All operations will continue to run smoothly. However, we seek your patience should there be any delay in responding to your correspondences during the transiting period.