Innehållsförteckning för Issue 194 - Dec 2025 - Jan 2026 från Msafiri

DEAR READER Welcome on board, and thank you for choosing to fly with Kenya Airways – The Pride of Africa. As we approach the close of 2025 and look ahead to a new year filled with promise, I would like to take a moment to reflect with gratitude and optimism. This has been a year of growth, innovation and renewed partnerships – all driven by our unwavering commitment to creating exceptional travel experiences for you. Our new codeshare partnership with Qatar Airways now connects Africa to more destinations across Asia and the Middle East, opening exciting opportunities for business, leisure and cultural exchange. Closer to home, the launch of KQ Safari Data ensures you can stay seamlessly connected wherever your travels take you. We have also joined forces with Aga…

“As a frequent traveller I need a system that enables persons with disabilities (PWD) to travel without stress, worry, or hassle,” says Dr Anne Wafula Strike MBE, the British-Kenyan Paralympian, author, founder of The Olympia-Wafula Foundation and globally acclaimed advocate for disability rights. Born and raised in Western Kenya, Anne’s journey from rural girlhood to the tracks of the Paralympic Games is nothing short of phenomenal. Today, she’s breaking more boundaries – not on a wheelchair race track, but across Kenya’s majestic landscapes. Anne shared with us her dream accessible itinerary – a blueprint on how Kenya leads Africa in opening its arms to travellers of all abilities. Q IF YOU WERE DESIGNING THE PERFECT ACCESSIBLE KENYAN HOLIDAY, WHERE WOULD YOU BEGIN? Anne: I would start in Nairobi – it’s…

1 Choose ethical tour operators: Book with companies that support conservation projects, employ local guides and follow park regulations. 2 Respect wildlife space: Keep a safe distance, avoid loud noises and don’t pressure your driver to get closer for a photo. Stress-free animals behave more naturally – and make for better sightings. 3 Say no to wildlife products: Avoid buying souvenirs made from ivory, skins, horns, shells, feathers or live animals. If in doubt, don’t buy. 4 Pack light, tread light: Use refillable bottles, biodegradable toiletries, and reusable bags. Many parks in Africa are moving toward zero plastic – you can help lead the way. 5 Support community-led tourism: Visit cultural centres, stay in conservancy lodges, and buy crafts directly from local artisans. When communities benefit, conservation thrives. 6 Give…

If you’re like me, you probably enjoy scrolling through New Year’s resolution memes on social media. Their sarcasm hits close to home: It’s almost time to repeat the ‘new year, new me thing’ … sigh. Brace yourself, the new year’s resolution gym members are coming! You said that you would stop eating junk food. The lie detector determined that was a LIE! And my personal favourite: How to transfer my body fat to my enemies. Humour aside, the New Year offers a fresh chance to set goals and commit to better habits. But how often do these resolutions stick? According to a Forbes Health survey, the average resolution lasts just 3.74 months. Some unofficial calendars even mark January 17th as ‘Ditch New Year Resolutions Day’ and the second Friday of…

1 Do a feasibility study of the target market and your product’s potential to satisfy that market. Success in your home country does not necessarily translate into success in another country. 2 Study customer preferences and see if you can meet their requirements in terms of quality. 3 Check if your product is priced competitively by comparing similar items from your competitors. 4 Ensure your packaging meets the standards of the destination country, including any laws on environmental sustainability. Some countries such as Kenya do not allow singleuse polythene bags to either leave or enter the country. 5 Understand and respect cultural differences. 6 Check any trade agreements between your country and the destination that you could benefit from. 7 Encourage feedback from customers to improve future export operations. ADAPTED…

RYAN WESLEY OGAM KENYAN | FOOTBALLER Ryan Wesley Ogam is one of the names that have been birthed from the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) co-hosted by Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The Kenyan forward was in hot form at the tournament, scoring three goals in five games, having just recovered from knee surgery that had kept him on the sidelines for four months. Having joined Tusker FC at the start of last season, Ogam, 21, was a star in the making, scoring 15 goals in 17 matches for the Brewers, fuelling their title charge in the Kenyan Premier League. However, a knee injury in February halted his run, and eventually Tusker’s hunt for the title. But, upon return, he showed why he is the next big thing at CHAN. His performances,…

Kenya Airways, through its healthcare division KQ Health, has signed a strategic partnership with the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) to strengthen medical travel and accessibility to advanced healthcare within Africa. The collaboration will leverage Kenya Airways’ extensive regional network and AKUH’s renowned medical expertise to create a seamless system for patients seeking specialised treatment in Kenya. Under the agreement, KQ Health will manage the entire travel process, from pre-flight medical clearances and in-flight assistance to direct ambulance transfers to the hospital, while AKUH will provide care in key specialities such as oncology, cardiology, surgery and critical care. Speaking during the signing, AKUH CEO Rashid Khalani said the partnership will make it easier for Africans to access world-class healthcare without leaving the continent. KQ CEO and group MD Allan Kilavuka…

EXCESS BAGGAGE REDEMPTION Did you know you can carry extra luggage using your Asante Rewards points? As an Asante Rewards member you can redeem points for additional baggage allowance and pack everything you need for your journey without worrying about excess baggage fees. You can add one additional bag per 3000 points for domestic flights, 20,000 points within Africa and 35,000 for international destinations. To redeem your points, contact: asante@kenya-airways.com or call +254 711024747. POINTS BOOSTER Fast track your Asante Rewards status with KQ’s loyalty programme 2x or 3x Tier Points Booster. Sign up for either the 2x or 3x booster option and earn double or triple tier points on all eligible flights (all Kenya Airways and SkyTeam flights) during your active subscription period. Members may subscribe to a 90-day or…

Alykhan Devji MR BEAN ON THE GO @MR.BEANONTHEGO Devji, and his father, Hanif, with whom he co-founded Mr Bean On The Go, started their thriving mobile coffee business in April 2025 out of their “shared love for great coffee and community” and a desire to bring that energy wherever people are. The simple coffee cart idea has grown into a brand with a personality and a deep respect for the coffee origins. “We want to deliver exceptional coffee experiences, one cup at a time, with a strong dose of Kenyan hospitality,” he says. Devji, whose favourite blend is peppermint mocha, is encouraged by the growing coffee culture in Kenya, a region traditionally rooted in tea. He has seen the rise of the hitherto underrated drink, the Cold Brew Tonic, which…

One day soon, Nairobi River will flow with the majestic calm it was always meant to have. Its clean waters will catch the mid-morning light as they run free between renewed riverbanks, with young trees taking root where debris once strangled the river’s edge. Weaverbirds will call above the softened hum of traffic, and new walkways will follow the river’s bends; schoolchildren stopping to watch a heron holding still on the far bank. CURRENT AFFAIRS The Nairobi River Regeneration and Engineering Works Programme, launched in March 2025 at a cost of KSh50 billion, aims to turn these possibilities into solid progress. The project will build a 60km-long trunk sewer line, provide 50,000 affordable housing units in reclaimed riverfront areas, and generate about 40,000 jobs -nearly doubling opportunities under the earlier…

Holidays are for rest. Nostalgia flows through me during this season, memories of awakening to the aroma of chicken roasting in the oven, the crackling of the charcoal grill roasting nyama choma; the laughter and warmth of family being home. Where I come from, we mostly had easy bitings as starters to keep people from getting ‘hangry’ before the feast was laid out. These would be tasty treats like cumin lamb samosas, cabbage pepper spring rolls and mkate wa Mayai (a Swahili pancake filled with fragrant beef mince) and bhajia, which are potatoes coated in an aromatic gram flour batter. They would all be accompanied with a tamarind and a coriander yoghurt sauce that would pair amazingly. I may just begin to drool as I remember those flavour bombs! The…

Remembering Wildlife, the photography book series that raises awareness and funds to save endangered animals around the world, recently published its 10th book, 10 Years of Remembering Wildlife, featuring images donated by worldleading wildlife photographers, such as Marsel van Oosten, Frans Lanting, Greg du Toit and Jonathan and Angela Scott. The book includes favourite images from previous books, as well as a brand-new section showcasing stunning photos of the world’s most trafficked mammal, the pangolin. All profits from sales of the book will go to pangolin conservation projects. “Pangolins are fascinating and endearing creatures," says Margot Raggett MBE, founder and producer of Remembering Wildlife. “We don’t know how many are trafficked, but we do know that poachers will use their ingenuity to literally sniff them out of their hiding places.…

Flames lick high into the night, sparks spiralling toward a sky heavy with stars. Traditionally, this is when safari guests gather around the boma fire, plates piled with boerewors, lamb chops and steak. For decades, it was almost a given: game drives meant biltong in the car and dinners that leaned heavily into safari’s meat-led traditions, where ‘chicken is practically a vegetable’ could almost pass as a proverb. But on a growing number of African safaris, that’s changing. For many travellers, the idea of admiring wildlife and championing conservation is at odds with the idea of eating meat products or sinking into leather couches. And across the continent, safari lodges are starting to evolve their offerings to be more inclusive. Guests are tucking into fine dining menus, sipping herbal cocktails…

KQ Cargo has introduced a direct Sharjah to Dar es Salaam freighter operation, representing a major milestone in the division's strategy to enhance connections between the United Arab Emirates and East Africa. A B737-800F aircraft with a maximum capacity of 20 tons operates the weekly service between the UAE and Tanzania, with plans to increase the frequency to twice a week. The expansion strategy centres around offering both direct freighter services – straight from the UAE to key destinations – and indirect shipments via Nairobi to other destinations not served by KQ’s Sharjah hub. The direct solution already operates to Hargeisa and Mogadishu in Somalia; Juba in Sudan; Eldoret in Kenya; and Djibouti.…

Africa MICE Awards: KQ received the Best Incentive Travel Programme award at the recent Africa MICE Awards ceremony, held in Nairobi National Park. The award recognised the innovation behind the airline’s discount framework and tailored group travel solutions that simplify travel, reduce costs and ensure seamless journeys for delegates and organisers alike. It also underscores the dedication of KQ’s Commercial team to advancing MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) travel as a strategic growth area and propelling Africa’s prosperity by connecting people, cultures and markets. TripAdvisor Traveller's Choice Award: KQ’s Pride Lounge at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi was named the winner of the 2025 TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Award. This global recognition places the lounge among the top 10 per cent of hospitality experiences worldwide, a distinction based on…

JO MALONE LONDON WOOD SAGE & SEA SALT COLOGNE INTENSE Cologne, 100ml Breathe in the bracing sea air and the windswept shore, alive with sea salt and the mineral scent of rugged cliffs. Immersed in wild waters, the sound of breaking waves heightens the senses. The natural beauty of the ocean inspires a fresh, woody scent. Top notes of ambrette seeds; heart notes of sea salt; base notes of sage. FRAGRANCE NOTES: Fresh – Woody $137 SEE OUR FULL RANGE OF DUTY FREE PRODUCTS. BUY BEFORE YOU FLY You can now pre-order your duty free online three days before your flight and get your shopping delivered directly to your seat on board. Quick, easy and convenient shopping! VISIT WWW.KQDUTYFREE.COM NOTE: SOME PRODUCTS ARE ONLY AVAILABLE ON SELECTED AIRCRAFT TYPES TOM…

We all love our summer bunnies. As the Swahili saying goes, “Mgeni njoo, mwenyeji apone”. Which means that when a guest comes, the host benefits. That’s pretty straightforward, right? In Kenya, it’s a slight transgression to visit someone empty-handed, especially if you’ve been away for an extended period. (FYI: the endearing term, ‘summer bunnies’ refers to Kenyans who live, work or study in North America and Europe, and vacation in Kenya in December.) YOU CAN TELL A SUMMER BUNNY FROM YOUR REGULAR FLIER THE MOMENT THEY DISEMBARK FROM A KQ DREAMLINER. IF THEY ARE SEMI-FAMOUS, THEY WILL BE MET BY TRADITIONAL DANCERS AND SHUTTERBUGS THE REAL PRIDE OF AFRICA The easiest way to feel the effect of our summer bunnies is by checking our country’s balance sheet. These folks are…

In 2018, the UK formed a Ministry of Loneliness in response to the Jo Cox Commission report that revealed that 14% of Britons felt isolated some or all of the time. In 2021, Japan followed a similar route. The World Health Organization (WHO) Commission on Social Connection reports that one in six people globally is affected by loneliness. A June 2025 report linked loneliness to an estimated 100 deaths hourly. Social connection is a crucial social determinant of health. Loneliness can negatively impact physical, mental and even economic health. It can increase the risk of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, mental illness and cognitive decline. A feeling of connection and kinship goes beyond benefits to individual health and wellbeing. Strong family units and supportive relationships lead to healthier, safer, more resilient…

HOLLYWOOD NEW RELEASES LILO & STITCH Experience Disney’s beloved story in a wildly funny and heartwarming new way with this live-action reimagining of Lilo & Stitch. On the sun-soaked shores of Hawaii, a spirited young girl named Lilo adopts what she believes is a strange but adorable puppy – only to discover he’s actually Stitch, a mischievous alien on the run. As Stitch causes chaos with his wild antics, he slowly learns the meaning of ‘ohana’ (family), helping Lilo heal old wounds. THE ACCOUNTANT 2 Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal return in the thrilling sequel as Christian Wolff and his deadly brother Brax. When a cryptic message tied to an old friend’s murder surfaces, Wolff is pulled back into a dangerous conspiracy. Forced to join forces with Brax and US…