Innehållsförteckning för Issue 168 - Aug - Sept 2021 från Msafiri

INNOVATORS Meet Kenya’s daring problem solvers From turning plastic waste into building bricks or transforming locusts into animal feed, brilliant young Kenyans are getting creative with turning problems into positives WORDS: PETER MUIRURI Ever since Kenya invented the mobile money transfer service Mpesa, in 2007, the country’s innovation space has been getting busier by the day. Perhaps egged on by the high rates of unemployment, newly minted graduates are thinking outside the box – creating inventions that are inducing venture capitalists to seek a piece of the innovation pie. And opportunities for innovation abound. A locust plague in northern Kenya piqued innovators to think about animal feeds; others saw paving blocks and roofing tiles in plastic waste; discarded flip flops littering our beaches became boat-building materials. Even the dark cloud…

FILM ANIMATING THE FUTURE HOLLYWOOD BIG-HIT TER DISNEY HAS EMB ARKED ON A FIRST-OF ITS-KIND COLLABORATION WITH AFRICAN ANIMATORS KUGALI MEDIA TO PRODUCE A NIGERIA-BASED SCI-FI SERIES WORDS: HARUN MOMANYI DISNEY ANIMATION Animation has come a long way since its humble beginnings in France, back in July 1887. However, despite 133 years of such creativity, African stories – with the exception of The Lion King – have remained underrepresented in this medium. So, the excitement was paramount when, last December, Walt Disney Animation Studios announced it was partnering with Kugali Media, an African animation studio, to make a sci-fi long series. It was truly a historical moment. Set in Lagos, Nigeria, Iwájú is scheduled to debut on Disney+ in 2023. Speaking at the time, Disney Animation’s chief creative officer Jennifer…

PART FIVE: GET RUNNING WITH KIPCHOGE LEARN FROM YOUR RUNNING MISTAKES RICHARD HEATHCOTE/GETTY IMAGES PART FIVE IN THE PENUL TIMATE INSTALMENT OF OUR SIX-PART MARATHON TRAINING SERIES WITH OLYMPIC CHAMPION ELIUD KIPCHOGE, WE LOOK AT THE BIGGEST MISTAKES RUNNERS MAKE… AND HOW TO AVOID THEM Running, just like anything in life, is not a perfect script. There are ups and downs – and mistakes will happen. Particularly for new runners, mistakes are a common occurrence and it is normal to put a foot wrong at some point or other The greatest marathon runner in the world, Eliud Kipchoge, agrees. Before he rose to become the best in the world, an Olympic champion and a world-record holder, Kipchoge, like everyone, started off as a novice. It is these mistakes he made…

connections KENYA AIRWAYS EXPANDS DELTA CODESHARE KENYA’S NATIONAL CARRIER ENHANCES CONNECTIONS ACROSS NORTH AMERICA Kenya Airways has expanded its codeshare agreement with US carrier Delta Air Lines, extending the airline’s reach in North America via its flights from Nairobi to New York. The deal sees the two SkyTeam alliance carriers offer seamless travel to 39 cities across Africa, the US and Canada, and enables KQ to place its code on Delta’s services to Washington DC and Indianapolis. Julius Thairu, acting chief commercial officer at Kenya Airways, said: “[The] partnership remains central to our plans of offering the fastest connections to the Americas from our Nairobi hub and is in line with our brand promise of enabling the sustainable development of Africa by providing access to different markets.” Other US destinations…

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 KQ and our partner airlines. And what’s more it’s free to join. You can redeem your Miles for flights, upgrade your seat, or pay for your accommodation or car rental. Your Miles are valid for life as long as you take an eligible flight at least once every two years. The more you travel, the more Experience Points you receive – earning you greater numbers of Miles and benefits. More information on Flying Blue, go to flyingblue.com PLANE FACTS: FLYING PREMIER WORLD When you fly Premier World, the benefits begin before you board the plane. Our SkyPriority service offers guests…

KQ sponsors three young Kenyan rally drivers Kenya Airways recently partnered with the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Rally Star programme to support three young Kenyan drivers in their quest to take part in this year’s Safari Rally. The Rally Star programme is a global initiative seeking to identify, train and develop talented young drivers aged between 17 and 26 years. The FIA-KQ partnership included flights for the three protégés – McRae Kimathi (aged 26), Hamza Anwar (22) and Jeremy Wahome (22) – to attend training and profiling sessions in Europe and beyond. Driving in his first-ever rally, Wahome and his co-driver, fellow Kenyan Victor Okundi, finished a commendable 16th place, surpassing several more experienced drivers in one of the toughest World Rally Championship (WRC) events. Hamza came 25th, while…

network Ⓚ Kenya Airways routes believe it or not… Get to know our network with some unusual facts about the cities we fly to SOURCE: AIRMILESCALCULATOR.COM; DAVE PROFFER/FLICKR; JOACHIM S. MÜLLER/FLICKR; FABIAN PLOCK/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM; HENDI RUHENDI/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM Note: Due to the ongoing coronavirus crisis, Kenya Airways’ network is subject to change. Please check www.kenya-airways.com for the latest updates. BUJUMBURA Some 150 years ago, Dr David Livingstone and Henry Morton Stanley met in Mugere, just outside Burundi’s capital. A stone monument now marks the spot where the two explorers stayed in 1871, not long after their famous meeting in Tanzania, where the immortal words, “Dr Livingstone, I presume?” were allegedly uttered. LUSAKA Look out for Ansell’s mole rats, which frequent the Lusaka area. These near-blind underground burrowers live in elaborate tunnel systems stretching…

WILDLIFE LION PRIDE BEFORE THE FALL MSAFIRI TAKES A LOOK INSIDE PHOTOGRAPHER GEORGEL OGAN’S NEW BOOK, IN WHICH HE USES CREATIVE, EVOCATIVE IMAGERY TO HIGHLIGHT THE PLIGHT FACING AFRICA’S ICONIC BIG CAT There’s no getting away from it – Africa’s lion population is dwindling. Faced with the challenges brought by habitat loss, hunting and human–wildlife conflict, there are now fewer than 20,000 of these big cats still roaming Africa’s heartlands – and time is running out to safeguard their future. Published in conjunction with international wildlife charity Born Free Foundation, Lion: Pride Before the Fall contains a collection of acclaimed wildlife photographer George Logan’s beautiful and thought-provoking images. Logan has followed and photographed lion prides across the continent for the past 10 years, and this book is a culmination of…

KQ extends reach in southern Africa Kenya Airways has signed an interline agreement with South African airline Airlink. The move enables passengers flying KQ to Johannesburg or Cape Town to connect with Airlink-operated flights to Durban and Port Elizabeth (South Africa), Gaborone (Botswana), Maseru (Lesotho), Maputo and Pemba (Mozambique) and Windhoek (Namibia), among others. Julius Thairu, acting chief commercial officer at KQ, said: “As global economies continue to reel from the effects of the pandemic, such strategic partnerships are critical. These new routes will positively impact the flow of trade and tourism across the region.”…

CONSERVATION: FALLING FOR PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOS: ANGAMA MARA FOUNDATION As part of its partnership with the Angama Mara Foundation’s The Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year competition, Kenya Airways flew four winning photographers’ guides to Livingstone, Zambia, to experience the Victoria Falls. The group, hosted by Martin Keino – son of Kenyan marathon legend Kip Keino – comprised Antony Kiplunghurt, Leshan Sayialel, Daudi Lolotuno and Joseph Njapit, the winning guides from the 2019 and 2020 editions of the competition. Steve Mitchell, cofounder of the Angama Mara Foundation, said: “Showcasing the magic of the Mara all year round is a key focus for the Greatest Maasai Mara Photographer of the Year competition, but so often photographers’ guides – who play such a crucial role – are overlooked. In KQ, we are…

skyteam A SENSE OF PLACE SkyTeam lounges blend the essence of their city with sustainable, aesthetic design and superior service Travel the world and you’ll find a warm welcome and a relaxing space to escape the gate at hundreds of lounges across our network, including four SkyTeam-branded lounges. Located in Dubai, Istanbul, Sydney and Vancouver, there’s a new lounge coming soon to Santiago de Chile. Each is distinctly SkyTeam yet reflects the vibe of the city you’ll find them in, through colours, design elements and cuisine. SUSTAINABLE BY DESIGN SkyTeam is as passionate about caring for the planet as we are about you and we factor sustainability into the design of all our lounges. This year, our Vancouver lounge was awarded the YVR Green Excellence Award, recognising our environmental contributions…

IDENTITY TABITHA MWANGI PROGRAMME MANAGER FOR THE CAMBRIDGE-AFRICA PROJECT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE AND HAILED AS ONE OF THE ‘TOP 20 KENYAN BLOGGERS YOU SHOULD FOLLOW’, TABITHA MWANGI REVEALS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE KENYAN AND WHY SHE WRITES ABOUT HEALTH MATTERS How would you describe yourself in three words? Hardworking, kind and learning. What does being Kenyan mean to you? Kenyans set a high bar for themselves and they work hard. We really do push ourselves, but what we have lacked is uplifting leadership. What motivates you? I want to add to the stories from Africa by Africans that are full of hope, inspiration and challenge. To offer encouragement. Why do you think it is important to blog about health issues? I bring my research training into blogging…

INNOVATIONS & TECHNOLOGY MSAFIRI REVIEWS WORK SMARTER Become a tycoon from your kitchen table with this must-have home office tech… Working from home – or remotely – comes with a host of benefits. There’s no commute, so there’s no need to fight for a seat on the bus. You can grab lunch any time you like – from your own fridge. You can rock up to work in flip-flops. And, best of all, you can customise your office. Below you’ll find eight hi-tech gadgets to spruce up your workspace and stay on top of that busy schedule… REVIEWS BY TOM BAILEY APPLE IPAD PRO (2021) 1 The big daddy of the iPad range is superpowered for work and play thanks to Apple’s latest M1 processing chip. It makes light work…

CONSERVATION GOLD STANDARD MSAFIRI CONTRIBUTOR DR PAULA KAHUMBU SCOOPS THE TOP PRIZE AT PRESTIGIOUS CONSERVATION AWARDS Dr Kahumbu chief executive, WildlifeDirect Kenyan wildlife conservationist Dr Paula Kahumbu picked up the Gold Award and £100,000 (US$140,000) in project funding at this year’s Whitley Awards. The judges commended her “pioneering approach” to justice for wildlife and citizens, in the fight against ivory trafficking and habitat destruction. Presented by UK charity Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), the awards recognise grassroots conservationists for their work with communities to protect endangered wildlife and threatened habitats. Overall, Africans scooped four of the seven awards on offer at this year’s event. Alongside Dr Kahumbu, WFN rewarded Kenya’s Sammy Safari for his work transforming the future of sea turtles through coastal stewardship; South Africa’s Lucy Kemp for her…

DREAM LODGES GRAND DESIGNS WHAT DOES IT TAKE TO BUILD A LODGE IN A REMOTE LANDSCAPE? TO FIND OUT, MSAFIRI MEETS THE CRE ATIVE GENIUSES BEHIND SOME OF AFRICA’S ICONIC PROPERTIES AND DISCOVERS HOW THE ENVIRONMENT PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN DESIGN ASILIA HIGHLANDS TANZANIA | SEGERA RETREAT KENYA | BISATE LODGE RWANDA | WATAMU TREEHOUSE KENYA | CHISA BUSANGA ZAMBIA | KISAWA SANCTUARY MOZAMBIQUE There is no set formula for designing a lodge. Some owners employ an architect, a team of interior designers, engineers, a project manager, building contractor, the lot – necessitating a collaborative approach; some projects just have one designer; others grow organically, with no set plan. “With Asilia Highlands, there wasn’t an architect,” says Caline Williams-Wynn, owner of Artichoke, a design company based in Cape Town.…

connections SECOND DREAMLINER CONVERTED INTO PREIGHTER AIRLINE ADDS TO CARGO FLEET Kenya Airways has successfully repurposed a second Boeing 787 aircraft into a freighter, also known as a ‘preighter’. This follows the airline’s world-first conversion of another of its Dreamliner fleet earlier this year. The move comes in response to the increased demand for air cargo in Kenya and across the continent, while the passenger market remains depressed because of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the second preighter, the carrier aims to continue addressing the growing need for medical and essential goods, while contributing to the growth of regional and local economies. As last time, KQ undertook the cabin modifications in close collaboration with Canadian aerospace company Avianor.…

Sponsorship SAFARI RALLY SPECIAL WELCOME RETURN FOR SAFARI RALLY JUNE SAW THE LONG-AWAITED RETURN OF THE SAFARI RALLY – OF WHICH KQ WAS A SPONSOR – TO THE WORLD RALLY CHAMPIONSHIP CALEND AR. PETER NJENGA REPORTS STATEHOUSE KENYA Kenya’s Safari Rally returned to the high-profile World Rally Championship (WRC) with a bang in June, following a 19-year absence. Deemed a resounding success, the event has found itself part of the motor racing conversation around the globe. The iconic Kenyan rally, first held in 1953, showed it had lost none of its verve as it took its toll on most of the championship’s top drivers over the course of the four-day competition. The rally took place on the floor of the Rift Valley, around lakes Naivasha and Elementaita, offering postcard-like vistas…

pride FIRST SIGHT: LOUISA IMBUGA FIRST OFFICER, BOEING 737 FLEET Q Why did you want to become a pilot? When I was a child, I loved visiting the airport with my siblings to pick up my parents after their travels. The whole experience of glimpsing the planes, hearing the sound of the engines, the anticipation of my parents’ arrival and their stories of faraway lands made me fall in love with the idea of working in the travel industry. After my first flight as a passenger, which was KQ to Kisumu, I knew I had to find a way to work with aircraft and travel as well. Q What, to you, makes Kenya Airways 'The Pride of Africa'? KQ has a presence throughout the continent and it has withstood the…