Utalii College boosts far flung counties staff with refresher courses, says Principal Kenneth Ombongi

Premier regional hospitality training institute, Utalii College has orgainised a first ever refresher training course for hotel workers in Turkana County, in conjunction with the Tourism Fund.

The training at Kanam Resort and Conference Centre, Lodwar saw 76 graduands drawn from ten hotel establishments in the county obtain certificates after an intensive two-week course.

Utalii College Principal Kenneth Ombongi said they are keen to establish and cement links with counties such as Turkana.

The graduands underwent training in supervisory skills, house keeping techniques, basic kitchen operations, front desk techniques and food and beverage service techniques. “We seek to leave an indelible mark in this area. The tourism potential in this homeland of humanity is humongous and unmanageable,” Dr Ombongi said.

“All we need is to work together to develop this potential into a reality and the capacity of the Turkana people to benefit from these boundless opportunities therefrom.”

Key stakeholders

The inaugural graduation was attended by Turkana County Governor Josephat Nanok, who was the chief guest, the County’s Executive in Charge of Trade, Tourism and Industrialisation Lynus Ebenyo and Chief Executive Officer, Tourism Fund, Allan Chenane.

Obongi told the graduands to use skills gained to serve the country. “When one talks about Turkana and Lodwar to an average Kenyan, it conjures images of a far-flung area; a frontier district as the colonialists called it.” “Our coming here with our team of professionals, is to reaffirm our commitment to interface and positively engage with counties to enhance excellent service in the hospitality sector all over our motherland, Kenya,” he said.

He said the training - the first ever in the region is a testament to Utalii’s commitment and pledge to empower people in counties.