Change of guard as locals take over coast hotels

In the early 1980s, a visit to any of the coastal tourist resorts would have been met by a ‘mzungu’ manager - either as the hotel’s general manager, chief chef or chief executive.

This trend continued for more than three decades, with indigenous Kenyans being on the periphery - only occupying supervisory positions.

But after years of intense training, a new crop of young, talented Kenyans are today calling the shots at most star-rated beach holiday resorts.

Hoteliers lobby, the Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (KAHC)  describes the change of guard as a new phenomena in the industry. KAHC Coast Branch Executive Officer Sam Ikwaye said having more indigenous locals as managers is shaping ‘new’ tourism in the region.

“After Utalii College training, many more local managers have advanced their education and even branched off to other institutions of higher learning - making them competent managers to drive the industry,” noted Ikwaye.

He said this is being manifested by the increased number of indigenous middle and top managers in the sector. He opines that the new crop of managers is not only restricted to male staff. “There is also a significant increase in the number of women in tourism holding top, managerial positions,’’ he said. “An example is the newly refurbished Jacaranda Indian Ocean Beach Resort & Spa in Kwale County where Ms Ann Safari, who previously had a stint at the Leopard Beach Hotel assumed the leadership role last December.”

At Hill Park Hotel, Tiwi Beach, Caroline Chemutai has risen through the ranks to become the new general manager. “We keep encouraging them to advance and even have a management development course at Utalii College to refresh managers’ competencies,” said Ikwaye.

“Soon through the Tourism Fund, managers may be able to take loans and advance their training and capacities.”

Job promotions

Among the other refined hoteliers who have taken up the mantle in hotels previously managed by foreigners, include Silvester Mbandi, the current general manager of Baobab in Diani.

His rise started 22 years ago after completing a four-year diploma in Hotel Management at Utalii College. He benefited from practical training in the Caribbean and also trained at Cornel University.

He has a degree in hospitality from Kenyatta University and is currently pursuing an MSc in Hospitality and Tourism Management.

Mbandi joined Turtle Bay Beach hotel, Watamu setting it up as one of the first all-inclusive hotels in Kenya, managed by Clubs International from St Lucia in the Caribbean. “I worked under a great management team of Neel Inamdar and Ann Loehr who moulded me to become who I am today, after starting as a restaurant manager before moving to the Kilifi-based Mnarani Club as operations manager,’’ Mbandi said.

It was at Nyali Beach Hotel as the food and beverage manager, later rising to the position of deputy general manager, where he learnt a lot about dealing with high-profile clients, conferences and banquets.

At the Baobab Resort, Mbandi oversees the operations of a 328-room resort that has three wings - managing, controlling, recruiting and ensuring the business is profitable as well as maintaining its reputation of the best all-inclusive resort in the region.

Another entrant into the coastal hospitality scene, making a comeback after a two-year stint in Eastern Kenya, is Diani Reef Beach Resort & Spa Chief Executive Titus Kangangi. Kangangi who once held the position of KAHC Coast branch chairman and board member of Utalii College, has 20 years’ experience from local and international hotel chains.

He is a graduate of Les Roches in Switzerland and holds a degree in hotel and hospitality management from Moi University.

Prior to his new assignment, he worked at the Coast Water Service Board and Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa among others.

He also worked in Switzerland, at the Accor hotels in Australia and at a beach resort in Sorrento, Melbourne.

Mohamed Omar, the current general manager of Leopard Beach Resort & Spa, South Coast has risen through the ranks - starting as an assistant food and beverage manager at the then Whitesands Beach Hotel - now Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort & Spa - and the Mombasa Continental Resort. Mohamed also worked at the Intercontinental Hotel, Nairobi as a banquet manager before being elevated to full manager.

He was later to be poached by RedCourt Hotel as general manager (now Boma Hotel, Nairobi), and the Kenya Safari Lodges & Hotels where he oversaw the operations of the group’s flagship hotel, Mombasa Beach, alongside Voi Safari Lodge and Ngulia Safari Lodge respectively.