Utalii principal Kenneth Ombongi exits after six-year term

The outgoing Kenya Utalii College Principal Dr. Kenneth Ombongi (left) with the incoming acting Principal Kazungu Mwango (right). [PHOTO BY GIDEON MAUNDU/STANDARD].

Kenya Utalii College Principal Kenneth Ombongi has bowed out of service after a six-year term at the hospitality training institution.

During a farewell speech at the Ruaraka-based institution last week, Dr Ombongi said his tour of duty at the college had come to an end.

“I am highly indebted to members of staff that no known currency in the world today including the mighty US dollar is enough to repay you. The bond we have created with many of you, no hammer is strong enough to break,” Ombongi said. Apart from its main campus in Ruaraka, there are two satellite campuses in Mombasa and Kisumu. In the history of Utalii College, Ombongi is second longest serving Principal after Ambassador Mwakai Sio who served for 18 years.

The college is an affiliate member of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO). Also, it is an authorised International Air Travel Agency (IATA) training centre, as well as, the only Sub-Saharan Africa’s Japanese training centre. Established over 40 years ago, the college has trained more than 50,000 from around the world.

Former Utalii College Director for Research and Corporate Planning Charles Kazungu has replaced Ombongi. Ombongi has a PhD from University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom. During his tenure, Ombongi was elected Africa’s Regional Vice President of UNWTO. He said he will be going back to teaching at the University of Nairobi.

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