These routes grow tourism, trade and investment, a goal for 2019

Transcription

1

2

3 ENJOY YOUR FLIGHT / 5 These routes grow tourism, trade and investment, a goal for 2019 Cover Image: Tariq Zaidi Off The Chain Exploring the Seychelles Magical Metropolis The best of Barcelona January 2019 FREE to Take Home! Dandy Tricks Brazzaville in Kenya Airways World Travel Awards Winner Africa s Leading Airline: 2016, 2017 Winner Africa s Leading Airline, Business Class: 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 Winner Africa s Leading Airline, Economy Class: 2011, 2018 Dear guests, Happy New Year, and warm greetings as we begin 2019! As we start a new year and a new chapter, it is with a sense of pride and satisfaction that we look back on a year that has, in many respects, been challenging but positive. In October, we launched our first non-stop flights between Nairobi to New York a historic event for both Kenya and East Africa. This milestone gives us the opportunity to offer a unique travel solution to our guests. In the same month, we returned to Gabon with the launch of direct flights between Nairobi and Libreville. Just a few months before, we launched nonstop flights to Cape Town, increasing our frequencies to South Africa to cater for the growing number of customers who travel between Nairobi and the Mother City. These routes not only cater to our passengers needs, they also grow tourism, trade and investment, a goal for Last year, we unveiled a revamped catering service. This was designed as part of our strategy to elevate our passengers experience, by offering more value and a service that is authentic and true to our brand proposition: The Pride of Africa. Sustainability is one of Kenya Airways key values, so we like to feature achievements in this domain as often as possible. Now that plastic pollution has become recognised as a major problem worldwide, it was especially pleasing when Kenya banned single-use plastic bags last year. This step forward was helped by the desire and commitment of one man: James Wakibia. We detail his inspirational story in this month s business interview. Also within the environment theme, this month s trend story investigates innovative methods of agriculture such as vertical farming, which requires no soil and less space than traditional practices that are helping to combat the effects of climate change. For most of us, the image of a man dressed exquisitely in flamboyant haute couture while walking through a rural African community, would make us wonder if we were in a dream; but in Brazzaville, in the Republic of the Congo, such a sight is commonplace. Here, local people doing local jobs parade through the streets during their days off in immaculate attire, and they are revered like rock stars. We treat you to a full exposé of the Sapeurs as we delve into the history of a fascinating culture. Thank you most sincerely for flying with Kenya Airways. Sebastian Mikosz Group Managing Director and CEO Kenya Airways

4 CONTENTS / 7 Travel & Nature 10 The Lost World The Meroë Pyramids 18 Travel Essentials Packing for Seychelles 20 Off The Chain Spectacular Seychelles 51 Guess And Win Travel quiz 52 Magical Metropolis Barcelona guide Arts & Culture 13 Habari Kenya & the world 30 The Oracle Orators African TED speakers 43 Biko On Board The inaugural flight to New York 58 Fresh Debonair The Sapeurs of Brazzaville Publisher Kenya Airways Manager Operational Excellence Evelyn Kabui Mwangi Corporate Communications Executive Mercy Agnes Mwamba Advertising MediaEdge Interactive Ltd. Managing Director Esther Ngomeli Head of Media Rose Kagori Concept, Content & Production Hearst Create Director Loes van Dokkum Managing Editor Irene Bauer Senior Designer Gaby Walther Subeditor Ben Clark Proofreader Julia Gorodecky Photo Editor Monique Kolmeijer Design Concept Sabine Verschueren Production Manager Hans Koedijker Contributors Joost Bastmeijer, Yvette Bax, Jackson Biko, Peter Chege, Shalini Gidoomal, Annemarie Hoeve, Saskia Houttuin, Desiree Hoving, Annette Lavrijsen, Joseph Maina, Dhaval Patel, Robert Michael Poole, Gijsje Ribbens, Chantal van Wessel/Vizualism, Hanna Wieslander, Tariq Zaidi Lithography Ready4Print Printer Walstead CE, Kraków

5 8 / CONTENTS Fly Guide 65 Highlights Inflight entertainment guide 75 Safari Njema News & service 81 Flying Blue News 83 SkyTeam News 84 Route Maps 89 Cargo 90 Get Comfortable 20 Business Aircraft Facts Parking 38 Crop Up Vertical farming in Kenya 44 Somalia At a glance 46 Not My Bag Interview with James Wakibia Contact details Kenya Airways Marketing & Corporate Communications, Nairobi, Kenya, , msafiri@kenya-airways.com Website kenya-airways.com, msafiri-magazine. com Facebook Kenya Airways Mediaedge Interactive Ltd. Nairobi, Kenya, / / , msafiri@mediaedgeke.com Hearst Media Nederland CV, Spaklerweg 52, 1114 AE Amsterdam, the Netherlands , Website hearst.nl/hearst-create No part of the contents may be reproduced without prior written permission. While every care is taken to ensure accuracy in preparing the magazine, the publisher and Kenya Airways assume no responsibility for mistakes and effects arising therefrom. The publisher has made every effort to arrange copyright in according with existing legislation. Msafiri is available on all KQ flights and at select hotels and businesses in Nairobi. A digital copy is available for free at kenya-airways.com. CRE A T E

6 10 / NATURE / Views / NATURE / 11 The Lost World Swept by the desert sands of Eastern Sudan, the MEROË PYRAMIDS are crumbling tombs of the powerful Nubian kings and queens who ruled this land for 600 years. text Annemarie Hoeve WHILE THE ICONIC pyramids of Giza draw millions of tourists every year, few people know that Sudan has more than twice the number of pyramids as Egypt. Nearly 200 of these stand in Meroë, an ancient city on the eastern bank of the Nile, some 200 km northeast of Khartoum. They were built around 2,000 years ago, when Meroë was the capital of the mighty Kingdom of Kush, which was centred here between 300 BC and 300 AD, and once dominated the region, extending into Upper Egypt. The tombs were looted long ago, yet ornate reliefs remain, offering a fascinating glimpse of this great civilisation. Archaeologists have also uncovered countless historical treasures, including horse harnesses, pottery and coloured glass, indicating early trade with the Mediterranean. But perhaps the best treasure of all is the solitude: you can have this magical place virtually to yourself. Kenya Airways flies direct to Khartoum International Airport from Nairobi s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Robert Harding

7 160 The Seychelles were once a pirate hideout. It's thought that treasure, worth US$160,000, is still buried near Anse Forbans bay on Mahé. Habari HABARI / 13 According to the World Health Organization, Liberia has some of the world's cleanest cities. Communication art Black Royalty Adeyemi Adegbesan examines what it has meant to be black throughout history. Approaching art as a means of communication, the artist explores the themes of royalty and Afrofuturism, by creating royal portraits of black contemporary artists, such as Erykah

8 14 / HABARI HABARI / 15 The Royal Palace, on Dam Square, was Amsterdam s grand city hall until Napoleon s brother Louis declared himself King of Holland in Nairobi Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, is named after James Monroe, the fifth US President. Underneath one of New York s most famous hotels, the Waldorf Astoria, is a secret train platform that s an extension of Grand Central Station. What s On Rising to a height of 828 m, Dubai s Burj Khalifa is the world s tallest building. Taste of India Open House Restaurant If only the two brothers who own Open House Restaurant would share their secret. Although this Indian restaurant has been here for over 13 years, it feels like forever. From chilli paneer to butter chicken and Malai kebab, the food here is all delectable. You can make a great meal for a week, a month or even a year, but to do it consistently for over a decade is rare culinary magic. Authenticity is at the core of the menu and experience. For a slice of India while staying in town, this is where you should hang your hat. ~ openhouserestaurant.co.ke Shutterstock Animal art Kioko Art Gallery A renowned global sculptor, Kioko Mwitiki is known for turning scrap metal into art. Sculptures of animals are his forte, an ode to our national pride that brings wildlife closer to people. His creations are on display at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport as well as on the green lawns of the State House. Check out his small and cosy new gallery in Nairobi Lavington, along James Gichuru Road. The younger generation needs to know where they came from Jocktan Makeke Award Sarova Stanley The five-star Sarova Stanley hotel recently won a World Luxury Hotel Award as Africa s Top Luxury Historical Hotel The oldest hotel in Nairobi established in 1902 the Stanley has hosted world leaders, renowned authors and international celebrities. The Sarova hotel chain is the largest indigenous, privately owned hotel group in Kenya. Stay at any of its locations across the country to learn why this chain is a consistent winner. ~ sarovahotels.com Nightlife Kiza Lounge Nairobi at night goes hard, never home. Want to plug into the electric nature of the city? The upscale club Kiza Lounge is just the place. Here, the party gets going just after 11 p.m. The music is legendary, with the best DJs in town on the decks pelting you with the latest hits. So, did you pack your dancing shoes? ~ kizalounge.co.ke Shutterstock Nairobi page text: Jackson Biko Habari text: Joost Bastmeijer & Saskia Houttuinen Shutterstock Sports equipment Run like a Kenyan If Kenya has some of the world s best runners, why is there no such thing as a Kenyan running shoe? That s the question asked by the founders of Enda, who create running shoes that are made in Kenya. Enda incorporates the country s history, culture and skills in its products. A pair of these kicks comes in black, red or green the colours of Kenya s flag and can be yours for US$100. ~ ke.endasportswear.com Car show Perfect for petrolheads Classic car owners, collectors, experts and enthusiasts, take note. The annual London Classic Car Show will take place from 14 to 17 February. Dealers, manufacturers, clubs and cars will be under one roof at ExCeL London. There s an indoor road upon which the cars are paraded. ~ thelondonclassiccarshow.co.uk Valentine s Day Romantic Times Looking for a place to spend Valentine s Day? There s no better place to say I love you than New York s Times Square. At one of the most special locations in the Big Apple, you can even surprise your spouseto-be with a proposal on a huge LED screen. On 14 February, Times Square will also be the stage for several wedding ceremonies and vow renewals. ~ timessquarenyc.org Shutterstock Q&A Amateur Night Amateur Night at the Apollo has been a stepping stone for black artists like Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder and D Angelo. A performance on the New York stage can be the start of a great career, but you have to make it past C.P. Lacey, aka The Executioner. What is your role as The Executioner? It s my job to rid the stage of all unwanted acts. Once the crowd boo meter reaches a certain height, the siren wails and that s my cue to get them out of here, while singing and tap dancing. You re famous for your outfits. What s your favourite? Of all my many Executioner costumes, the James Brown outfit suits me best. You can t think about the Apollo Theater and not think of the Godfather of Soul. Amateur Night has launched many careers, including James Brown s. What do you need to survive it? You need three very important things: talent, talent and talent. That s all the audience will allow on stage. Sorry, but nice clothes and a cute face won t get you by on the Apollo stage. ~ apollotheater.org/amateur-night Shahar Azhan

9 16 / HABARI HABARI / 17 Most houses in Amsterdam s canal belt were built on wooden poles in the 17th century, which explains why so many are now crooked. The Bight of Benin, in the Gulf of Guinea, was known as the Slave Coast due to its association with the Atlantic slave trade. Until 2015, Dubai had no addresses or postcodes. Now, every house has a unique 10-digit code to help identify it. Music & Culture The world s biggest cruise ships are registered in Liberia. This is due to its relaxed employment laws. Festival Zanzibar s Cultural Landmark From 7 to 10 February, the Sauti za Busara Festival will celebrate African music on one of East Africa s most beautiful and wellknown islands: Zanzibar. Over 400 musicians perform live on three stages in unique venues, such as Stone Town s Old Fort. The lineup includes: Afrigo Band (Uganda); Mokoomba (Zimbabwe); Mkubwa Na Wanawe Crew (Tanzania); Hoba Hoba Spirit (Morocco); Dago Roots (Réunion); and Lydol (Cameroon). ~ busaramusic.org Jackson Biko The Hand That Rocks The Cradle I ended 2018 with some rather deep introspection, because I decided that, in 2019, I would not tolerate people who don t punctuate their WhatsApp messages; especially those who write am when they mean I m. That breed, specifically, gets my goat. This introspection happened by mistake. I was at a café nursing a masala tea as I waited for an interviewee whose Uber had mistakenly taken him to an abattoir on the other side of town. (Things happen for a reason.) I thought to myself, What does my left hand do exactly? Because with my right hand I eat, point at things, scratch my face, elbow away the armrest from the chap on seat 54C, and poke in my PIN code at the ATM. My right hand squeezes shower gel and lemons and tubes. I even use it when someone asks me to check their temperature, which, unfortunately, is not as often as I would like. Uber had mistakenly taken him to an abattoir on the other side of town So what on Earth does my left hand do apart from fixing my watch to my wrist? (The sun can also tell the time.) Because even when I dream, I never dream that I m using my left hand; it s always my right hand that frantically waves off the burly man in a straw hat, approaching me with a teaspoonful of cough syrup. (Don t ask.) My left hand isn t as coordinated as my right hand. Hot tea never burns it. Yet it expects the same treatment as my right. I think it s unfair. So right there, sipping my masala (with my right hand, no less), I decided that my left hand had to earn its keep. So this year, apart from not tolerating poorly written WhatsApp messages, my New Year s resolution is to use my left hand more, and see if it will adapt to being my go-to hand. (I realise that this might lead to some hypocrisy regarding my WhatsApp New Year s resolution.) I ll try to be ambidextrous. I can t wait to start greeting folk with my left hand. Because most right-handed people think they own the world, they will always assume and extend their right hand in greeting. I will be, quite rightly, extending my left hand; then we ll see who s boss. You might not be able to tell, but I m continuing to write this last part of the article after taking a week s break. A lot has happened, key being that I m starting to regret this New Year s resolution. First, eating food with my left hand is proving to be tedious. Apart from it taking so long, I now eat like a baby: food keeps falling off my spoon. My WhatsApp messages are replete with typos, and sometimes typos lead you to abattoirs. It s hard to open a bottle of wine with your left hand, especially if you re trying to come across as debonair, cultured and sexy. I look like an oaf. But if you manage to get through that embarrassment, you ll realise that pouring wine into a glass using your left hand looks exotic and suave. It feels French. But I shall stick to this New Year s resolution and join the ranks of famous left-handed men and women like Oprah, Morgan Freeman and Lady Gaga; hell even Justin Bieber is left-handed. The thing with left-handed folk is that they aren t in your face; they don t extend their right hand in greeting assuming everybody is right-handed. I bet it s the right-handed brigade that coined the phrase, extend a helping hand. It just seems like something a right-handed person would say. I will keep up with this for a little while longer. Let s see where it leads. Illustration: Hannah Wieslander Film costumes Pre-Colonial Fashion I m inspired by the pure African life before and during colonialism, says Jocktan Makeke, a Tanzanian costume artist who creates traditional outfits for use in films and music videos. My designs are reimagining pre-colonial African culture and history, using the by-product from animals and plants, such as skins, bones, animal horns and bark, says Makeke. Other African fashion designers only work with African prints, like khanga kitenge and batiki. They re not pure African traditional designs. To me, it s very important that we pass on our own traditional customs to the younger generation. They need to know where they came from in order to preserve and maintain our culture. Makeke says he wants to take his fashion designs to the next level this year. I m presenting my own fashion event, I AM MAKEKE It s my goal to promote African culture all over the world, through fashion. xxxxxx Concert Jazz on The Rocks A combination of the South African summer sun, a glass of South African wine and some jazz tunes in a truly magnificent location, Jazz on The Rocks has it all. Jazz fanatics from all over South Africa flock to this five-day event, which starts on 28 February. The festival is held near Paternoster, right in the Cape Columbine Nature Reserve. ~ jazzontherocks.net Alamy Playlist Feelgood Tunes Since Spotify found its way to South Africa earlier this year, there are now some catchy playlists online. Here s a favourite. Feel good look good Start 2019 in a positive way by tuning into this up-tempo playlist, with artists like Yemi Alade and Kelly Khumago. ~ spotify.com Peter Bennett Getty Images

10 18 / TRAVEL / Essentials Central Park in New York has been featured in more films than any other location in the world. Packing for Seychelles Ndola is the capital of the Copperbelt province in Zambia. It s also one of the country s biggest cities. Hardcover photo book of mesmerising moonlit landscapes by Darren Almond. US$70, Taschen megapixel water-resistant digital camera, Olympus Tough TG-5, US$448. Olympus. Swimming shorts, US$95. Okun. Beoplay H8i wireless headphones cancel out any annoying wave noises, US$399. Bang & Olufsen. Clement Black Apricot sunglasses, US$60. Komono. Sybile shell choker necklace, US$198. Heimat Atlantica. Bikini: Bill Bra (US$110) and Bill Bottom (US$185), for that flattering 1950s shape. Norma Kamali. Aurélie Turtle Drop Earring: a gold-plated version of the Seychelles symbol, US$95. Aurélie Bidermann Carry-All Tote: a paper straw tote bag with leather strap. Perfect for carrying books to beaches, US$113. Arket. Be the bestdressed snorkeller on the island in the Hightide Wetsuit, US$265. Cynthia Rowley. Selection: Gijsje Ribbens

11 20 / TRAVEL / Seychelles TRAVEL / 21 OFF THE CHAIN Modern tourism, pristine beaches, rare animals and environmental protection all meet in the SEYCHELLES, some 1,500 km east of the mainland. text Robert Michael Poole Male Red Fody sits on a plant. Right page: Petite Anse bay, Mahé. Getty Images Robert Michael Poole

12 22 / TRAVEL / Seychelles TRAVEL / 23 FLYING DUE east from Nairobi to the Seychelles islands, my imagination is filled with vibrant Technicolor images of exotic nature and landscapes, and luxurious resorts overlooking some of the world s finest palm-fringed beaches. What surprises me, however, is that the most colourful spot of all stands in the heart of the capital, Victoria, as a monument to the diversity of history and culture that has passed through the islands of this very young and tiny country. Just off Revolution Avenue in the tiny capital city on the main island Mahé the Hindu temple Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar ascends from the ground in layers of decorative figurines depicting Hindu gods and deities in bright blue, yellow and pink. Named after the Hindu god of safety and prosperity, the temple is a reminder that these tiny isles lay on ocean trade routes between India, Africa and the Middle East. It turns out that the nation s short history is as rich in culture as it is in flora and fauna. Even the names on the tourist map of the town have me enthralled: Sham Peng Tong Plaza, the Pierre Poivre Statue and the Victoria Clock Tower all speak of the country s heritage. The Seychelles are named after Jean Moreau de Séchelles, former King of France Louis XV s Minister of Finance during French rule, before the islands were passed to the British (but were settled by native Africans). My self-made walking tour of the tiny capital quickly gives me a sense of the pace and heartbeat of a nation relaxed, proud and confident that s like a Caribbean island in different waters. The Victoria Clock Tower, which dates back to the colonial era and was built as a memorial to Queen Victoria, has been a focal point since its construction 115 years ago; the Seychelles has exactly one island for every one of those years. The 115 islands, which form an archipelago, stretch from the fabled UNESCO-listed coral-rich Aldabra discovered centuries ago by Arab traders to private eco-islands such as Frégate Island Private, and the modern Instagram star island of La Digue, where I m keen to see if the Anse Source d Argent rock beach lives up to expectations. A TALE OF TWO BEACHES Before venturing off to islands afar, I decide to split my Mahé experience between north and south, from the secluded and sedate Vista Do Mar in the north, to the truly splendid Petite Anse bay farther south. And that means getting four wheels; a decision that turns out to be an unanticipated stroke of genius, since I quickly discover that Mahé is a joy for drivers. Full of winding mountainside roads enveloped in thick jungle, it s a challenge to avoid stopping to admire all the panoramic views and filling umpteen memory cards with idyllic seascape images. > I swap four wheels for two, and quickly find myself saying hello to fellow cyclists while riding around town Where to stay Four Seasons Resort Seychelles and Desroches Island A jewel in the Four Seasons crown, FS Seychelles has a new sister on the nearby Desroches Island too. Petite Anse, Mahé. fourseasons.com Frégate Island Private Frégate offers a private island that has pioneered sustainability and the ecolodge concept. Frégate Island Private. fregate.com Le Domaine de L Orangeraie The only high-end option on La Digue is ideal for honeymooners, and has a pool bar well worth a visit, even if you can t get a room. Anse Sévère, La Digue. orangeraie.sc Le Repaire Boutique Pearched on the beachfront, this hotel is close to the centre of town. The staff can help arrange excursions. Anse La Réunion, La Digue. lerepaireseychelles.com Above: Common White Terns (top); Kids riding their bikes to school, La Digue (bottom left); Creole House, La Digue (bottom right). Right: Anse Soleil tropical beach, Mahé (top); Denis Private Island (bottom left); Tropical fruit (bottom right). Robert Harding, Alamy

13 24 / TRAVEL / Seychelles TRAVEL / 25 Catamaran in front of granite rocks, Curieuse island. The cherry on top, though, is the series of seven beaches Robert Harding

14 26 / TRAVEL / Seychelles TRAVEL / 27 Left page: St. Paul s Church in Albert Street, Victoria, Mahé (top); Honeymoon paradise (bottom left); Hindu Azul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple on Quincy Street, Victoria, Mahé (bottom right) Right: Local men (left); The Victoria Clock Tower in Victoria, Mahé (right) Robert Harding, Robert Michael Poole Many resorts are entirely self-contained in the Seychelles, but on Mahé, the Beau Vallon bay offers a stretch of beach shared by multiple hotels and restaurants. It marks the start and end point of the North Coast Road, which loops right around the northern tip of Mahé, always clinging tightly to the water s edge. In one secluded spot, I settle down for two nights at Bliss Hotel, a rustic boutique property that recalls Mexico s seaside town of Tulum. Stylish beach beds made of driftwood face Praslin island, and when the tide is out, the elegant façade of the hotel can be seen from under the palm trees, and farther away on the golden sand beach. Facing westwards on the south side, the Four Seasons Seychelles offers views over the beach below too, but with a very different vibe. Even as an experienced traveller, I find myself in awe of the natural surroundings here; the villas all with private pools cascade down a mountain side, half-encircling the crescent-shaped bay like a Greek theatre. The sunsets here are among the most beautiful I ve ever witnessed, and I make a point of rising early to climb above the entire sprawling complex, where a rocky outcrop makes for an ideal yoga spot. IN THE LAND OF GIANTS Getting between the islands, I have a few options to consider, but none gives a better view than helicopter, and ZilAir offers rides to dozens of destinations from right next to Seychelles International Airport. I head to Frégate Island Private, playing a game of spot the swimming turtle, while flying over the calm waters to the small island now famous for three outstanding qualities. The first discovery here is the beautifully wild nature. And that s taken a vast effort to achieve: years of intensive agriculture had removed all woodlands and animal species, but since 2014, Frégate Island Private has become a world-leading icon of ecology, with 10,000 indigenous trees replanted including the return of rarities like Wright s Gardenia and the Indian mulberry and the recovery of the near-extinct Seychelles Magpie Robin. Rare and endangered day-nesting turtles frequent the beaches, and most fun of all, 2,200 giant tortoise call the island their home. During one morning here, I m offered breakfast high in the forest canopy amid the homes of 13 species, all vying for my croissants; some are more brave than others to steal my morning meal. Skirting the coast of the island are private pool villas, immaculate home-away-from-home residences designed for families or couples. Immense in scale, they re the height of private-island holidaying. I can t think of what to ask my butler for, since all the luxury of nature and hospitality is already at my fingertips. It s a question of whether to enjoy the surroundings on a daybed, in a pavilion, > The Victoria Clock Tower has been a focal point since its construction 115 years ago What not to miss! There are a lot of inspiring adventures to take advantage of in the Seychelles. Here are a few fun suggestions. Marianne Rock One of the best diving sites in the Seychelles, expect underwater dramatic rock formations and keep an eye out for grey reef sharks, whale sharks, giant moray eels, turtles and more. On Yer Bike The best way to get around La Digue; cycle through canopied tunnels and over the hills to reach quiet beach coves, and enjoy cruising back down on your return to town. Do Go Chasing Waterfalls A short walk and easy find from Port Launay Road on Mahé s west coast Sauzier Waterfall offers a cool and refreshing spot you can even jump into. Hike The Eagle s Nest The peak of La Digue is a mere 333 m, but with other islands in close sight and a small restaurant on top, it s the most idyllic sunset-viewing spot around. Creole Festival Held each October over 7-10 days, this island-wide festival includes musical shows, art fairs, dance and theatre. Make sure to catch the parade in Victoria, which includes contingents from Creole-speaking neighbours: Madagascar, Rodrigues, Réunion and Mauritius.

15 28 / TRAVEL / Seychelles TRAVEL / 29 Left: Bleached coral reef (top); People walking along Market Street in Victoria, Mahé (bottom left); Tropical fruit at the market, Mahé (bottom right). The beaches here truly trump anything I ve ever encountered or in my Jacuzzi. The cherry on top, though, is the series of seven beaches, one of which, Anse Victorin, has been named the world s best. Its combination of soft white sand, coconut palms and granite stones are all to be admired, but for me, the real beauty is how easy it is to have everything to yourself. Even as an experienced traveller, I found myself in awe of the natural surroundings here Where to eat La Grande Maison The home kitchen of chef Christelle Verheyden serves delights like Creole bouillabaisse, tapas for lunch and has a tropical garden and live music too. La Plaine St. André, East Coast Road, Au Chez Jules Cafe Hidden on the east coast of La Digue with sea views, expect grilled fish fillet, octopus salad and more fine fare. Anse Banane, La La Plaine St. Andre Located in a former Plantation House founded in 1792 along with a rum distillery, this restaurant offers traditional food and some modern Creole cuisine too. La Plaine, East Coast Road, Anse Royale. takamakarum.com Marie Antoinette Dine in this century-old house from a menu unchanged in 46 years, including bat curry. Serret Road, Mahé. marieantoinette.sc RUSTIC CHARM I leave La Digue named after a French ship until last, dropping in by helicopter to the island s west coast, where the only town is located. Consisting of a few rustic and romantic lanes leading to guesthouses, cafés and small stores, it s clear that La Digue offers another alternative to the islands I ve already explored: a chilled and easy-going location where the younger travellers can mingle. Here, I swap four wheels for two, and I quickly find myself saying hello to fellow cyclists while riding around town. Better still, it s here where I have the chance to try the local Creole cuisine, including rougay, a dish of salted fish in tomato and onion sauce, fried up with garlic, chilli and ginger and served on rice. The smoother coconut curry, however, quickly becomes my daily favourite. Cycling south, most visitors head for Anse Source d Argent, where massive granite rocks tumble into the ocean in a scene that s reminiscent of a lost world. The reality is, though, that you ll need to come early to find tranquillity here. You ll also need to pick the right season since the waters are sometimes thickly carpeted in seaweed. I advise pedalling the hilly roads south, getting in some exercise en-route to the three giant coves that face southeast: Pointe Grand Anse, Pointe Petite Anse, and Pointe Anse Cocos. The beaches here truly trump anything I ve ever encountered. Fringed with rocks that are deceivingly shiny and metallic, the beaches soft sands have a pink hue when the clear waters wash over them, and the sea itself is like a pristine warm bath: the waves creating a natural Jacuzzi effect. It s fitting, then, that my last stop is the place I d be most keen to return to next time, ready to explore so many more of the islands the Seychelles has to offer. Plan your trip Book your flight to the Seychelles on kenya-airways.com Robert Harding, Alamy, Robert Michael Poole Lagoon surrounded by typical granite rocks on La Digue.

16 30 / PEOPLE / TED speakers PEOPLE / 31 The Oracle Orators Every woman has the right to make choices for herself As Africa hosts pioneering global TED conversations and independent events, some remarkable TED TALKS from African speakers are inspiring millions of people. text Shalini Gidoomal Mercy Akuot Born Bor, South Sudan Age 25 Current Location Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kenya Best known for Support work with women who have experienced perilous personal situations Milestone Escaping from a forced marriage in South Sudan TED Talk How I escaped child marriage to become a women s rights activist. (TEDxKakumaCamp 2018) BY HER EARLY teens, Mercy Akuot had been displaced twice. First by the outbreak of civil war in South Sudan that forced her family to flee to Uganda and then later by a marriage arranged by her parents, which left her with a man of 56 when she was just 15. Escaping that union forced her first into foster care, and then to Kenya to the relative safety of Kakuma Refugee Camp. Arriving at the parched dry lands of northern Kenya in 2015 was tremendously hard. She had no money and knew nobody. Living alone, she barely had sufficient food from rations to survive as she began her life yet again. But Akuot has a fierce resilience and an eloquent way of presenting herself; characteristics that quickly earned her a job as a team supervisor with the Danish Refugee Council, monitoring and mentoring women who have undergone similar experiences. She earns the maximum amount allowable to a refugee US$100 each month while she teaches life skills and helps women deal with trauma. In the three years she s been at the camp, Akuot has created a remarkable life from nothing. She met, and is now living with, a fellow South Sudanese with whom she has a child. They re both following their love for music: she s a singer and he s a producer. This passionate and pragmatic combination singled her out as a perfect choice for the June 2018 TEDx event, which was the first to be held in a refugee camp. It also serves Akuot s wider ambitions. She wants to study PR or journalism to take her cause to an international level. Like most refugees, she also dreams of resettlement. UNHCR/Tobin Jones

17 32 / PEOPLE / TED speakers PEOPLE / 33 Dr Dixon Chibanda Sisonke Msimang Born Harare, Zimbabwe Born Manzini, Swaziland Age 50 Age 44 Current Location Harare, Zimbabwe Current Location Perth, Australia Best known for Pivotal role in bringing mental health treatment to the masses Milestone Bringing the Friendship Bench to rural areas of Zimbabwe and now New York TED Talk Why I train grandmothers to treat depression. (TEDWomen 2017) Image: TED/Stacie Mcchesney Quote: Zimbabwe Situation June 2018 Best known for Writing and incisive storytelling Milestone Becoming Executive Director at Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa TED Talk If a story moves you, act on it. (TEDWomen 2016) Nick White Imagine all the wisdom and wealth of experience someone has by the age of 80 You can t force justice. It s the result of working with people, listening and creating opportunities for change MORE THAN 300 million people worldwide suffer from depression, which, according to the World Health Organization, mostly occurs in low- and middle-income countries, where suitable treatment is scarce. In Zimbabwe, for example, there are only 12 psychiatrists for a population of 16 million people. In 2005, Dr Chibanda was rocked by the death of a patient in her mid-20s who couldn t afford the bus fare to come to see him for necessary treatment. In an attempt to find a solution to this problem of depression, or kufungisisa (thinking too much), Dr Chibanda began working with grandmothers, who, for decades, have had a traditional role as community health workers in clinics nationwide. Using locally developed techniques kuvhura pfungwa (opening the mind); kusimudzira (uplifting); and kusimbisa (strengthening) supported by digital technology, he was able to create an Evidence-Based-Therapy process that allows the grandmothers to successfully treat depression and anxiety. And not even in a clinical space, as treatment takes place on wooden benches, where the grandmothers administer their unique therapy. Today, in Harare alone, more than 40,000 people have received treatment from hundreds of grandmothers on the socalled Friendship Benches. Advice is also practical: helping with income-generation and creating structures that people can use in order to progress. The results are phenomenal: research shows that six months after receiving treatment from a grandmother, people were still symptom-free. Dr Chibanda has gone on to establish Friendship Benches in Zanzibar, Malawi, the Caribbean and even New York. Constantly driven, he practices tai chi, and pursues and refines his work helping people to receive effective mental health treatment. WE LIVE IN a time where we re witnessing the decline of facts, says Msimang during her TEDWomen 2016 Talk. A recent report by the Pew Center on trends in America indicates that only 10 percent of young adults under the age of 30 place a lot of trust in the media. Conversely, they do have more respect for storytelling, which sets a dangerous precedent. According to Msimang, facts are needed, together with stories, to move the needle towards social justice. Even stories written with the best intentions can have negative consequences by glossing over real issues when they don t include all of the facts of a given situation. Msimang has a lot of experience dealing with people s everyday stories, which are often different to those that enter the mainstream. In her recently released memoir, Always Another Country, she speaks of bearing witness to stories while leading the oral storytelling programme at the Centre for Stories in Perth, Australia, where she helps refugees and diverse people to find their voices. Forged by a peripatetic lifestyle that wheeled her through Zambia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Canada as the child of South African freedom fighters in exile, Msimang s outlook was heavily shaped by her parents. They had the capacity to respect the dignity of each person, which is central to how I think about my work, says Msimang. On returning to South Africa in 1990, she entered the world of activism, before moving towards journalism as disillusionment with the Rainbow Nation dream set in. The most poignant story can get in the way of social justice, she says in the Kirkus Reviews (November 2018). You feel like you have... befriended that death row inmate. But you didn t. So stories become useful only if they allow you to think about the world, become more critical and act in better ways.

18 34 / PEOPLE / TED speakers PEOPLE / 35 Dr Kamau Gachigi Dayo Ogunyemi Born Nairobi, Kenya Born Ibadan, Nigeria Age 52 Age 45 Current Location Nairobi, Kenya Best known for Gearbox/makerspaces Milestone Setting up the first Fab Lab at Nairobi University Follow gearbox.co.ke TED Talk Success stories from Kenya s first makerspace. (TEDGlobal 2017) Image: Africa Knows Quote credit: Success stories from Kenya s first makerspace (TEDGlobal 2017) Current Location New York, US Best known for Connections to innovation via various different disciplines Milestone Setting up a virtual community linking diasporic Nigerians in the early 1990s TED Talk Visions of Africa s future, from African filmmakers. (TEDGlobal 2017) TED The world s going through the Fourth Industrial Revolution... a merger of the physical, cyber and biological worlds Tech and media were very different things, but have come together in life-changing ways SEVERAL YEARS ago, Facebook s CEO Mark Zuckerberg visited Nairobi. There s a picture of him viewing a roof tile next to the smiling Dr Gachigi. This is no ordinary tile; aside from keeping house structures watertight, it also captures solar energy and diminishes electricity costs. And Dr Gachigi insists they beat the better-known Tesla to the market with their product. It s the sort of radical innovation so often found among the digital fabrication machines set out at Gearbox, an experimental arena for hardware entrepreneurs to prototype, trial and refine their inventions. It s a factory for factories that enables engineers and creatives to develop their products and bring them to market. Out of here have come plasma cutters, biogas producers, speed governors, clean cooking fuel, data integration systems, medical technology innovation and a host of other fascinating, locally grown applications. Gearbox was created and is run by Dr Gachigi, an engineer who cites his parents as prime influences in the direction he has taken. My dad extracted silver from X-rays, and did brass casting when I was young, which is where I think my interest in material science arose, says Dr Gachigi. Both parents were also community minded; my mother worked with immigrants and refugees, and dad consistently impressed on me the importance of giving back. His current project focuses on those in the Jua Kali ( hot sun ) sector who operate outdoors or in makeshift kiosks, doing handwork, frequently with rough tools. They represent 80 percent of Kenya s workforce. Collaborating with KCB Bank Kenya Ltd. and Africa Innovation Ecosystems Group, Gearbox will provide training, initially to Jua Kali metal workers, showing them how to use digital fabrication to improve their work. I THINK a lot about digital colonialism. There s much information out there... Who decides what we can read or find? says Ogunyemi as he describes being defeated by Google algorithms in an online search for a specific clip about a Kampala taxi driver. Digital colonialism is a theory that the mass media is becoming a new empire itself by controlling the minds of the many. It s part of the issue Ogunyemi takes with not just the vision of Africa in the eyes of the rest of the world (think famine and war), but also the myopia with which the continent sees itself. Largely educated in law and business in New York, Ogunyemi moved back to work in Africa after 9/11. Despite his training, he gravitated towards media, and his firm, 234 Media, recently authored a report analysing key trends in African film. It s here that he s anchored his belief in how media can be a key part of a progressive continent-wide shift. The US has 1 screen for every 8,000 citizens, India has 1 for every 100,000 and Sub-Saharan Africa has 1 for every 6 million. It means the West can access African films better than we can, he says during his 2012 TED Talent Search Talk in Kenya. When we are able to solve issues about how to distribute our films, we can begin to see how it helps us chart our own destinies, says Ogunyemi. So far, we ve had some 50 years of US indoctrination. Given that images play a big part in perception, we need more Africans to access their own filmography and music to forge common identities. Given that film contributes some US$1 billion in GDP annually in South Africa and Nigeria, its influence cannot be overstated. Add to that the access to people that mobile technology provides (millions continent-wide), and the potential for change is enormous.

19 36 / TRAVEL / Facts Jomo Kenyatta International Airport achieved Category One status, the top security rating, in Parking Kenya Airways 787 Dreamliner automatically adjusts its wing control surfaces for a smoother ride during turbulence. At the parking bay/apron engineers add service oil and do the required technical checks. The chocks prevent the aircraft from moving while it s parked. The parking surface is made from asphalt or concrete, which can withstand any temperature. The area outside the terminal building where aircraft stop is called the ramp or apron. Aircraft are parked, (un)loaded, serviced for the next flight, refuelled and checked for routine maintenance at the ramp, says Kenya Airways Captain Dhaval Patel. The crew calls this area the parking bay, while passengers know it as the gate. Each airport has a specific procedure for directing an aircraft towards its assigned gate, says Patel. The ground controller, in coordination with air traffic control, usually assigns the aircraft an address, consisting of a street or highway (taxi lane) and house number (gate) the pilots should take. In addition to the ground signals, signs and air traffic control instructions, we use an airport layout map, either in paper or electronic format, to locate the parking bay. Once the aircraft has come to a halt, the ground crew secures the chocks around the wheels, which prevent accidental movement once the pilots release the aircraft s parking brake. If the aircraft is parked facing the terminal building, or if it s in an area where engines cannot be started (because of the hazards associated with the exhaust gases), the aircraft is pushed back by a tow-tug. If it s parked nose out, away from obstacles or the terminal building, the aircraft will taxi (drive) to the runway. text: Annette Lavrijsen image: Getty Images

20 38 / TREND / Vertical farming TREND / 39 Crop Up The hydroponic system supports the growing of all leafy vegetables To address food shortages, experts say that agriculture needs to move onwards and upwards. New methods that require less space and no soil, such as VERTICAL FARMING, are gathering momentum in Africa. text Annette Lavrijssen In November 2017, biochemistry graduate Samson Ogbole (35) dazzled the audience when he took to the TEDx stage in Lagos, Nigeria. He demonstrated cutting-edge farming methods that could ensure the future of food worldwide. To me, agriculture is more than just food production; it s the foundation for sustainable development, job creation and healthier living, he says. I believe farmers must be smart about the climate, adopt a business mindset and embrace technology, automation and data. HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM According to a 2017 report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN, farming has become increasingly difficult due to climate change, unpredictable weather, desertification, changing precipitation patterns and high crop instability. Although this is a global problem, the need for farmers in Africa to employ new farming methods is more immediate; natural resources and soil are being exhausted because farmers have insufficient time and space for an adequate fallow period. Furthermore, overcutting and overgrazing have become the norm, resulting in fertiliser misuse and improper crop rotation. The issue is compounded by the growing global population, which is expected to reach 9.73 billion by More than half of this boom will happen in Africa, where Nigeria will see the biggest increase (to about 450 million). Given that the average age of the Nigerian farmer is 60, and young people are unwilling to pick up agriculture because conventional farming has become more difficult, the need for new farming methods is even more apparent. > The perks of soilless farming It s a one-time set-up with a fast return on investment. Maintenance is cheap compared to soil-based farming. It s more sustainable, as the use of tractors, fertilisers, herbicides and insecticides are drastically diminished or eliminated. Production costs are stable throughout the seasons. Vertical farming methods need less space to grow more crops. Growth time is reduced and the plants produce a higher yield. Studies show that plants grown without soil have higher levels of phytochemicals and antioxidants, compared to crops grown in soil. Getty Images

21 40 / TREND / Vertical farming TREND / 41 CLIMATE-SMART FARMING Ogbole has devoted his time and resources to building modern farms that explore the latest technologies for agriculture, which may address some of the greatest problems the world is facing today. He s producing more crops in less space, while minimising environmental damage. Innovative technologies, such as aeroponics, hydroponics and aquaponics enable farmers to grow crops in vertical stacks without soil. This sounds high-tech, yet the basics are simple. The function of soil is to act as support, retain water and allow for aeration, says Ogbole. If we can use alternative materials in this function, we can grow crops without soil. Try it at home: if you keep some vegetables inside a few bowls of water and leave them for three to seven days, the roots will come out. Add fertiliser to the water and you will be carrying out hydroponics. HOW IT S DONE Hydroponic farmers grow vegetables in stagnant water (needing aeration via air stones) or flowing water. A liquid nutrient solution is added as a growing medium, while essential minerals sustain plant growth. Aquaponics pioneers are taking it a step further by combining the cultivation of plants and fish into one ecosystem, which is comparable to a fish tank with a garden on top. The waste urea or ammonia produced by the fish is the foundational nutrient for leafy vegetables, so it s used to feed them. The circular system allows for the growth of vegetables without regular water replacement, as the plants recycle the water by cleaning it. Aeroponics is sometimes considered to be a type of hydroponics because water is used to transmit nutrients, but the system is different because it grows plants in the air without the use of Hydroponics and aquaponics enable farmers to grow crops in vertical stacks without soil soil or an aggregate medium. The roots hang suspended in the air, while the nutrient solution is sprayed onto them in the form of a fine mist. Choosing the best soil-free system depends on the type of crops and space available. For tuber crops, such as potatoes and yams, aeroponics gives the best results because it provides easy access to the root (tuber) region. The YIIFSWA-II project, led by the Beninese agricultural engineer Dr Norbert Maroya, pairs scientists from the International Institute for Tropical Agriculture with farmers. They are collaborating in order to establish a seed system that ensures that high-quality seed tubers of various yam varieties are readily available to smallholder farmers. Seed tubers are the most crucial elements in the livelihood of yamgrowing communities, such as Nigeria and Ghana, and food supply is heavily dependent on the seed security, says Maroya. Although farmers save about 30 percent of their yield with seed tubers, the majority is ridden with pests and diseases that have Getty Images accumulated in the tubers and soils. Maroya and his team are using aeroponics to facilitate a rapid and safe multiplication of yam seed tubers. Their objective is to achieve a 30 percent increase in the productivity of yam cultivation for at least 320,000 farmers in Ghana and Nigeria. MORE CROPS, LESS IMPACT The hydroponic system supports the growing of all leafy vegetables, herbs, fruits and starchy foods, says Peter Chege, entrepreneur and founder of Hydroponics Africa. Hydroponics and aquaponics are often considered a cost-intensive enterprise, but Chege is convinced that it doesn t need to be. Over the years, the Kenyan entrepreneur has learned that many farmers incur high costs for animal feed even though the quality is often unsatisfactory. To address this problem, he and his team started developing hydroponic systems that enable farmers to grow animal feed at low cost, while also providing them with the means to grow vegetables. Evidently proud, Chege says, Since 2015, we have been rolling out our simplified hydroponic systems, which are not only practical, but cost-effective too. We ve developed an optimal nutrient solution specific to various crops, which directly irrigates the crop s root through the watering system. This minimises wastage of both nutrients and water (excess water is being recycled). For the substrates, we use recycled materials, such as pumice, wood chips, mattress tissues and even plastic cups. The water system is fully automated and powered by integrated solar panels, and there is zero use of herbicides. As there is no competition for nutrients, the crops are highly nutritious compared to crops grown under conventional methods, and they mature 30 percent faster, resulting in more harvests per year. EMERGING POTENTIAL The impact these new farming methods have on production is significant. If you want to grow tomatoes in the soil, it will take you three months; with a hydroponic system it takes you, at most, a month. Growing wheatgrass in the soil takes three to four months, with this system it takes only seven days; without any pesticides, very little fertiliser and no soil, says Ogbole in his TEDx Talk. Will these vertical, soil-free farms unleash a green revolution in Africa, as proponents love to call it? With just three major suppliers, hydroponics is still an emerging industry, but according to Chege, business is booming. So far Hypdroponics Africa has installed more than 5,000 hydroponic systems in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Somalia, and the company has extended its presence in Burkina Faso and Nepal. Based on the current high demand, they expect an exponential growth of 70 percent in the next few years. Soil-free farming systems are inseparable from the global movement that seeks to make agriculture climate-smart and future-proof. Most governments now recognise the need to develop interventions, and some have already taken action. As one of the first in Sub-Saharan Africa, Kenya launched the Climate Smart Agriculture Strategy , in which the government declares its objective to make agriculture more sustainable and resilient through collaborations and education. The major challenge is knowledge, says Ogbole. By training people and making them aware of the potential of vertical and soil-free farming, agriculture becomes a tool to build the nation we so much desire. I m not saying we should eliminate soil, but I do believe we should complement soil. Vertical, soilless farming is one of the ways to ensure the future of food. 30 Urban aeroponics gardens can grow in half the time it takes for them to grow in soil, with a yield of 30% more. 90 Aeroponic farming requires around 90% less water than soil-grown crops. 6,400 The biggest aeroponics farm in the world is being built in Newark, US, with 6,400 sq m of cultivated spaces without soil. 8,000 By using aeroponics, a farmer can produce up to 8,000 lettuce plants in a 3 m x 1 m space each year. 50,000 A yam tuber that is multiplied using aeroponics can get more than 50,000 tubers annually. Peter Chege Sources: Environmental Assessment Agency PBL, International Institute for Tropical Agriculture (IITA), YIIFSWA-II project, IITA University of Chile 2015.

22 Inaugural flight / INTERVIEW / 43 Biko On Board New Kid on The Block On board the inaugural flight to New York, Jackson Biko talks to Blessing Samii, who s travelling with her son, the youngest passenger on the aircraft. She hopes that this experience will encourage him to travel and see the world when he s older. Blessing Samii ity Zimbabwean Profession Nurse Place of Residence Cape Town Why New York? Begin her son s travels with one of the world s top destinations Parents often want to live their lives through their children. Personally, I m flipping this narrative on its head; I want my son to live his life through me, and be curious and go beyond where we live. To go farther away without losing where we are, who we are. I think the world is too vast and too diverse to die not learning a bit of what it has to offer. Although we live in the lovely age of the Internet, we can t explore the real world online. We have to pack a bag and see it for ourselves, and not be influenced by what other people think. This is why I m on this flight to New York with my son Malachi. He will be turning three in a few days, and I wanted it to happen there. I like to think that he will get a head start by seeing one of the world s top cities on his first journey. I can t wait to see Times Square. I ve seen it a lot on TV. New York looks wonderful and I hope it meets my expectations. We will spend 10 days in the US. Malachi might not remember this trip when he s older, but I hope that some part of it stays with him, such as travelling on the subway, seeing the many bright lights in Times Square, or the beautiful autumn streets. I hope he remembers that he had a great time in New York. I hope to plant in him the seed of travelling and of curiosity. I think that when you travel, you open yourself up to a different world. It s like discovering new doors to a house, going in there and finding a totally different experience. I love travelling even though I haven t done much of it because of cost and work obligations. Italy is also on my wish list. I want to go there for the wine and that festive, bonhomie Italian vibe. I ve been told that Malachi is the youngest person on this inaugural flight. I hope that one day he will know that he was part of this great history in the making. So far he s having a great time. The food is great. The inflight entertainment is good too. Kenya Airways has obviously catered for child travellers as well. We are having the time of our lives and the atmosphere is just magic. I like to think that he will get a head start by seeing one of the world s top cities

23 44 / BUSINESS / Country at a glance BUSINESS /45 At a glance Somalia Have a closer look at the potential of Somalia. The most relevant FACTS AND FIGURES, touristic attractions and social trends of today. text Yvette Bax infographics Chantal van Wessel/Vizualism

24 46 / BUSINESS / Interview BUSINESS / 47 NOT MY BAG Seeing PLASTIC BAGS littering the landscape enraged James Wakibia so much that he took matters into his own hands; thus began a modern-day hero s journey. text Joseph Maina James Wakibia Born 25 January, 1983 in Matuiku, Nakuru County, Kenya. Profession Photographer, environmental activist and public speaker. Education Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication and Media from Kenya s Egerton University (2014). Greatest achievement Kenya s 2017 ban on single-use plastics. Motto Less plastic is fantastic. What inspired your interest in the environment? While I was at university, I took a three-month environmental science module, taught by Dr Stanley M. Makindi, a very environmentally conscious man. His passion for the planet, his faith in humanity and his belief that everyone has the ability to make a difference far and wide by taking the first steps themselves, lit a fire inside me that has never gone out. That s when I began really talking about the environment. And that s when I took action. I embarked on my path in My first step was nothing particularly special. I just took my camera with me to Mathare a slum in Nairobi and took a picture of plastics clogging a nearby river. It looked like a river of plastic; it was an environmental disaster. But it wasn t until I saw the rubbish in the Nakuru dumpsite that I truly understood the significance of that image. That scene was the turning point; that s when my activism began in earnest. Describe the situation at Lake Nakuru Nakuru town s dumpsite is on an elevation, with the town in the middle and the lake on the lower side. When it rains, most waste leaves the dumpsite and heads to Lake Nakuru, which has had quite a beating from pollution, mostly as a result of urbanisation. A study conducted a few years ago revealed that up to 20 tons of plastic debris was being collected every year in and around Lake Nakuru Park. Flamingos in the lake were disappearing, and this was often because of plastic pollution. Why are plastic bags so harmful to the environment? They don t biodegrade, and they re often thrown away after being used once. That s the most disturbing thing that came into my mind. Some day you ll go shopping for five commodities and carry them in five different plastic bags. After that single use, these bags are often discarded and live for hundreds of years, >

25 48 / BUSINESS / Interview while destroying the environment. Even if they break down, they break down into micro-plastics, which are even more dangerous because they re carried off into the rivers and oceans where they re eaten by fish. And we end up ingesting them too, when we eat the fish. dumpsite, carrying placards, all the way to the Nakuru County headquarters. There were so many of us. I felt proud. We were very motivated at this point. I looked in the eyes of my allies and I had goose bumps. I could see that the fire was inside them too. I was excited. We were doing something meaningful that was also fun. That sort of satisfaction is hard to describe. Our message was heard, because two but I didn t see lack of money as something that could stop me. I had university friends, and we knew we could do it. I had social media. If I needed to print something, I had classmates to do a few posters. Even today, I say that if more money had been available at the time, I would have done more. But it never What did you do to get the government s attention? I started taking pictures of the Gioto dumpsite in Nakuru town. I then organised a petition, seeking 10,000 signatures from residents of the town to relocate the dumpsite or close it down. I collected about 5,000, and then I marshalled my classmates, who bought my idea that we should do a protest from the dumpsite as we deliver the petition to the governor. On 27 July 2013, we walked from the Timeline 2013 James Wakibia and his campus colleagues start campaigning for a ban on single-use plastic bags. 28 February, 2017 Kenya announces the ban on use, manufacture and importation of all carrier and flat plastic bags used for commercial and household packaging August, 2017 Kenya s Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources, in conjunction with Environment Management Authority, organise the annual Alternative Eco-Friendly Exhibition to sensitise manufacturers, retailers, distributors and the public to alternative packaging material. 28 August, 2017 Ban on plastic bags takes effect in Kenya. We were doing something meaningful that was also fun. That sort of satisfaction is hard to describe weeks later the county s minister for the environment told me that, though it would be difficult to close down Gioto dumpsite, they would try and manage it. Of course, I noticed later that it wasn t the dumpsite s fault. The problem was plastics. So I started talking about plastic and why we need to ban it, and control plastic pollution. I wrote opinion articles in local newspapers and took a lot of pictures of plastic pollution. I then shared them on social media. Which of your activities had the most impact on government policy? My petition against the use of plastic bags in Nakuru County, which was later tabled before the Nakuru County Assembly, was the launchpad for the ban. My relentless lobbying on social media was also influential because it culminated in an endorsement on Twitter by Judy Wakhungu, who was Kenya s Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Water & Natural Resources at the time. In September 2015, she sent a tweet supporting my hashtag: #BanPlasticsKE. This was a game-changer in the war against plastics in Kenya. From this point, Wakhungu propagated the antiplastic campaign through her Twitter channel and gave it greater momentum. What were the main challenges? I didn t see challenges. You know, when you are mad about something, you don t see anything that can stop you. I had no money a potential challenge crossed my mind that I didn t have money, because I was so passionate. How do you feel now about the movement against plastic pollution? I am very optimistic, because so many people and governments are talking about plastic pollution. I think people are becoming conscious about the plastics they use in their daily lives, and the impact these plastics have on the planet. What are you working on at the moment? I m starting a new project called #RethinkPlastics, which is basically trying to tell people to rethink their use of plastics, especially single-use plastics. If you don t need it, please don t use it. If you don t need that straw, leave it. It will not be reused, and it will never be recycled. Once you use it for those five or so minutes, its usefulness ends there, but it remains on the planet for hundreds of years. What are your hopes for the future? I hope to see a more sustainable world: a greener world, with less singleuse plastics. I want my son to grow up in a world free from them, where we don t have single-use cups and bags. I don t want him to grow up in a plastic world. I want the world to develop in a more sustainable way, where everything can be reused or recycled, and there is less waste; a world where what we call waste can be used by somebody else.

26 50 / TRAVEL / Quiz Guess and Win We give you five clues about a KENYA AIRWAYS DESTINATION. Which city are we referring to? Post your answer to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter using #msafiriquiz, and we may surprise you with a gift. text Ben Clark 1 Humpback whales can be seen in this city during September and October, when they migrate from their breeding grounds in the tropics. 2 This city, know locally as Mother City, was number one in The New York Times article, 52 Places to Go in Author J.M. Coetzee, who has won many awards, such as the Nobel Prize in Literature 2003 and the Booker Prize in 1983 and 1999, was born here. 4 Biltong dried, salted and spiced strips of beef or game is a popular snack in this city. 5 Dr Christiaan Barnard performed the first-ever heart transplant at Groote Schuur Hospital here in Do you know the country? Post your answer to Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using #msafiriquiz. Each month, Kenya Airways will pick a winner and surprise him or her with a gift. Correspondence about the quiz results will not be possible. Shutterstock, Getty Images, ANP Foto

27 52 / TRAVEL / Barcelona TRAVEL / 53 Magical 5 Metropolis 1 2 BARCELONA, in northeast Spain, is one of Europe s biggest tourist magnets. Annette Lavrijsen, who recently moved there, has discovered what makes the coastal city so attractive. 6 text Annette Lavrijsen Robert Harding, Matteo Colombo, Stocksy I M SO HAPPY for you both, this is the best city in the world. For a second, I thought she would burst into tears of joy, but my mother-in-law simply turned her head and gazed in the direction of the Mediterranean Sea. Having eaten Sunday lunch, we were having coffee on the balcony, which also looks out onto the mountains, in the midst of which are the city s elegant apartment blocks intersected by wide avenues and, in the distance, the heavenly towers and cranes of the Sagrada Família church. Surely everyone living here would describe this place in the same way? I thought to myself as I leaned over the balustrade and watched the whirling leaves on the street announcing the arrival of winter. By the time spring kicked in, we had moved into a small apartment in Barcelona s centre, where I became engrossed in architecture, food culture and unapologetic creativity. > 1. Outdoor cafés at Plaça Reial 2. Windows of Plaza Batlló 3. Spanish tiles 4. A tourist at Avinguda Diagonal 5. Sunrise at Barceloneta beach 6. Art Deco pharmacy at la Rambla 7. Rooftop of Casa Milà with a view on the Sagrada Família

28 54 / TRAVEL / Barcelona TRAVEL / 55 Sit down at one of the many squares for a coffee or a glass of beer and some tapas ARCHITECTURAL WONDERLAND Being adorned with brilliant works of architecture, both from the past and the present, Barcelona s urban landscape is often described as magical. The underground transport network, which is one of Europe s best, provides efficient access to the spellbinding streets of the central neighbourhoods. From the Barrio Gòtico with its enchanting alleyways and ancient cathedral to the distinguished Eixample with its richly decorated, multi-hued façades and luxury boutiques and El Poblenou, the former industrial district that is now a hub for innovation and creativity, each area has a distinct identity. Central threads are the modernist buildings, parks and street lamps that are dotted across the city. Many of these sprouted from the imagination of the eccentric architect Antoni Gaudí ( ), who was at the forefront of Catalan Modernism. Taking inspiration from the colours, shapes and structures in nature, he was a pioneer in his field, and his dreamlike work led to the creation of some of the city s most iconic landmarks. Casa Batlló (Passeig de Gràcia 43), with its polychrome façade decorated with glass and ceramic, and undulating roof representing a mythical dragon, may be his most original achievement. Gaudí s masterpiece is undeniably the aforementioned Sagrada Família (Carrer de Mallorca, 401), a basilica to which he dedicated 16 years of his life, living as a recluse in the building until he was hit by a tram and died in Since then, he rests in the crypt of the basilica awaiting the completion of his dream. Don t miss out; book your tickets in advance for a look inside. Or walk a few blocks up to Ayre Hotel Rossellón on Carrer de Rosseló 390, and take the lift to the rooftop terrace for a cocktail and incredible views of the 7 (of 18) completed towers. Another unfinished gem is Park Güell, on the slopes of the Sierra de Collserola mountain range, which is so mystical that you need to see it to believe it. The fairy-tale gardens with colourful mosaic animals and rock-covered pathways have led some to believe that Gaudí was under the influence of hallucinogens when he created it. CREATIVE CHARM After visiting this tourism hotspot, you may want to enter Plaça del Sol in Google Maps and follow the route downhill through Gràcia, a former village that was engulfed by the city but has preserved its smalltown charm. The area, currently one of the hippest and most artistic in Barcelona, has fewer tourists, which guarantees a relaxed vibe. Wander through the narrow streets lined by small artisan workshops, bric-abrac shops and vegan bakeries and sit down at one of the many squares for a coffee or a glass of beer and some tapas. Besides the Plaça del Sol, the most charming squares are the Plaça de Rius i Taulet, recognisable by the clock tower in its centre (where you might stumble upon a live music event) and Plaça de la Virreina, which evokes a flavour of the old Gràcia, with a quaint church and locals chatting in the shade of the trees. From Gràcia, it s an easy walk to the more central Eixample district, via the elegant Passeig de Gràcia, where you can find the chic boutiques of Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Hermès, next to flagship stores of Spanish brands, such as Massimo Dutti and Zara. > 1. Empty terrace on the beach 2. Sagrada Família 3. A girl with a bicycle downtown 4. Restaurants at Plaça Reial 5. Bike lane 6. Park Güell 7. A narrow street in the Barrio Gòtico 8. The cable car to Mount Montjuïc 9. Close-up of a fountain at Plaça Reial WHERE TO SLEEP Casa Bonay Located in a neoclassical building from 1869, which was brought back to life by a team of designers, chefs and local artisans. At the weekends this is a place where the cool crowd hangs out. Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, 700 casabonay.com Hotel Grand Central A five-star hotel with a luxury spa, sky bar and rooftop pool that offer panoramic views across the city. Via Laietana, 30 grandhotelcentral.com Margot House A home away from home with an elegantly decorated living area, complete with kitchen and library. Paseo de Gracia, 46 margothouse.es WHERE TO EAT Terraza Martínez Have lunch here and enjoy some of the best views of the city. Afterwards, walk off your meal on Montjuïc and take the cable car down to the beach. Carretera de Miramar, 38 martinezbarcelona.com Mauri The best way to cope with Barcelona s late dinner hours is to have a merienda around 6 p.m., traditionally consisting of hot chocolate and a sweet snack. The cakes are legendary here. Rambla de Catalunya, 102 pasteleriasmauri.com Pez Vela Share a paella at this contemporary classic, on the groundfloor of Hotel W. Paseo del Mare Nostrum 19/21 grupotragaluz.com Boca Grande Go here for the best cocktails in Eixample. Passatge de la Concepció, 12 bocagrande.cat Collage Art & Cocktail Social Club For a more intimate experience try this cocktail bar in El Born. C/ Consellers, 4 collagecocktailbar.com Robert Harding, Stocksy, Getty Images, Alamy

29 56 / TRAVEL / Barcelona TRAVEL / It didn t take long for me to find out that life in Barcelona revolves around food THINGS TO DO Watch a flamenco show or music concert at the Palau de la Música Catalana, which is beautiful inside and out (palaumusica.cat). To avoid the flocks of tourists, book the first walking tour of the day (most are for free) and explore the Barrio Gòtico at its best. Highlights are the Plaça de Sant Felip Neri, Plaça Reial and the old Jewish street Sant Domènec del Call, which has recently been renamed Carrer de Salomó Ben Adret. Visit the stadium of the legendary football club FC Barcelona or, in short, Barça. However, never say Barça when you mean the city of Barcelona, lest you want to come across as a guiri (ignorant tourist). The Picasso Museum is the city s most famous museum, but just as interesting are the Fundácio Joan Miró, showing works by the Catalan artist and more contemporary surrealists, and the CaixaForum Barcelona, an odd mashup of a warehouse and a castle by modernist architect Josep Puig i Cadafalch, boasting epic seasonal shows loaned from the world s most important museums. For shows see: museupicasso.bcn.cat, fmirobcn.org and caixaforum.es/barcelona. Explore El Poblenou, a district buzzing with creativity. Highlights are the Design Museum of Barcelona and Torre Glòries, La Rambla del Poblenou, and the Palo Alto artistic colony, which often organises food markets at the weekend. URBAN BEACHES Blessed with a Mediterranean climate, Barcelona has soft winters and sunny days most of the year, which are probably best enjoyed on the Barceloneta seafront. Once the home of fishermen, this area now offers 1,100 m of sandy beaches, surf rentals and xiringuitos (beach bars) as the main attractions for visitors. Shelter from the sun can be found in Barceloneta s back streets, where you ll walk under a ceiling of drying clothes and eat like a king in the plethora of traditional bars and restaurants. All-time favourites are Bar Bitácora and Bar Jai-Ca, where you ll find reasonably priced tapas and good vibes, and seafood restaurant Montolio Can Maño. Or follow the scent of fried fish and find yourself a spot in La Cova Fumada, an oldschool bodega that is known for its oily pa amb tomàquet (tomato bread) and the tastiest bombas (breaded potato and meat balls served with aioli and brava sauces) in town. It s greasy, but good. FOODIE HAVEN It didn t take long for me to find out that life in Barcelona revolves around food. Conversations among friends or relatives always seem to end up with a discussion on what, where and how to eat. I wonder if there s a causal relation with the astoundingly high density of restaurants that, apart from the tourist traps around La Rambla, mostly offer good quality for a very decent price. A smart option is the three-course menu del dia, which usually costs between US$12-18 (including a drink), and is often outstanding. Whereas the choice in modern international cuisine is increasing, most restaurants still serve traditional fare, as defined by the many migrants from other regions in Spain. Worth a try are the Catalan butifarra (sausage) and arroz negro (black rice), Galician seafood, Andalusian tapas, Basque pintxos (small snacks) and Asturian meat stews and cheeses. Streets that are well-known for their food scene are Carrer d Enric Granados, a semi-pedestrianised oasis a stone s throw from Eixample s most-visited monuments; the unpretentious Carrer de Blai in Poble-Sec, which is the place for a midday vermouth and some pintxos; and the streets around the Santa Caterina market in El Born. With a vast array of wine and cocktail bars, El Born is famous for its cosmopolitan nightlife. But, just as interesting, is the wide range of concept stores, art galleries and local designer shops, where you can find unique, custom-made pieces by Barcelona s creatives. El Born s main shopping streets are Carrer de la Princesa and Carrer de l Argenteria. Don t forget to browse the little streets for the most special gems. THE WHOLE PACKAGE In addition to what I ve mentioned above, probably one of the best things about Barcelona is its convenient location with easy flight connections to all major European cities and close proximity to the Mediterranean Sea and mountains. A while ago, I was having dinner with a friend who described his day to me: he had woken up early to go skiing in the Pyrenees, stopped on the way back to take a dip in the sea, and went shopping in Passeig de Gràcia before meeting me for a relaxed dinner. All in one day! I expect that it won t be long before I start telling people that Barcelona is the best city in the world Robert Harding, Stocksy, Getty Images Kenya Airways operates flights to Barcelona via Amsterdam from Nairobi s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. 1. Street light with Catalan colours 2. Interior view of the Sagrada Família 3. Quimet and Quimet tapas bar 4. Street in the Old City 5. Torre Glòries (formally Torre Agbar) marks the gateway to Barcelona s technological district 6. Light and ceiling inside Casa Batlló 7. A paddle board 8. La Boqueria Market 9. A restaurant menu in the Barrio Gòtico

30 58 / HERITAGE / Fashion HERITAGE / 59 Celestin (67) cuts a stylish figure outside a local shop. He has been a Sapeur since he was 12. He has four children and works as a mason and builder. His favourite item is his pair of Giorgio Armani braces. Kass (42) has been a Sapeur for 20 years. He has three children and sells clothes in a small shop. His favourite item is his pair of J.M. Weston shoes, which can cost hundreds of dollars. Tariq Zaidi FRESH DEBONAIR Milan, Paris, London and...brazzaville? The Republic of the Congo s capital might be an unlikely hub of haute couture, but its SAPEURS have given dapper a new meaning. text and photography Tariq Zaidi

31 60 / HERITAGE / Fashion HERITAGE / 61 Below: Elie (45) has been a Sapeur since the age of 10. He has one child and owns two taxis, which he rents out in order to save up for his Ganni bag, J.M. Weston crocodile shoes and Louis Vuitton cane. But his most prized item is his blue Ruben O suit. Right page above: Arle (33) performs the signature Sapeur greeting of stamping and clicking his heels together. He has been a Sapeur for eight years and works as a driver. Right page below: Celestin (67) is a builder who has been a Sapeur for 55 years. He shows off his beloved Emmanuelle Khanh sunglasses and Giorgio Armani braces. IMMACULATELY DRESSED in a pink three-piece suit, bow tie and sunglasses, Maxim wouldn t look out of place on a catwalk at Paris Fashion Week. But he happens to be strutting his stuff in Ouenzé, a suburb of Brazzaville. Despite the sewage-strewn streets, crumbling concrete homes, chickens pecking the dust around his feet and, of course, the intense heat, this 43-year-old Sapeur looks like a million dollars. Followers of Société des Ambianceurs et des Personnes Élégantes (the Society of Tastemakers and Elegant People) aka La SAPE, the Sapeurs will spend US$3,000 on a suit when they don t even have running water, and go without food in order to save up for the right designer accessories. Most have ordinary day jobs as taxi drivers and gardeners, but as soon as they clock off, they transform themselves into debonair dandies. Defying their circumstances by sashaying through the streets, the Sapeurs are treated like rock stars as they turn heads and bring joie de vivre to their communities. Spending money on ornate umbrellas and silk socks might seem surreal when almost half the population of the country lives in poverty, but the La SAPE movement aims to do more than just lift spirits. Over the decades, it has functioned as a form of resistance, social activism and peaceful protest. La Mairie or De Guy, bars on the dusty streets in Brazzaville, may not look like churches or temples, but every Sunday evening the Sapeurs visit these well-known places of worship. Their god is fashion and, as you d expect, the ceremonial robes are spectacular. From the tips of their Armani fedoras, to the soles of their shiny J.M.Weston shoes, these men are dressed to the nines. As they click their heels, showing off flamboyant braces while twirling their canes, Tariq Zaidi The true art lies in a Sapeur s ability to put together a look that is European, but has an African twist they re in stark contrast with their slumlike surroundings. The Republic of the Congo is one of the poorest countries in the world, and yet for followers of La SAPE, labels are everything knock-offs are not accepted and they prefer to get their clothes directly from Europe, waiting for friends to travel to Paris or London to buy clothes from designers such as Dior, Gucci, Jean-Paul Gaultier, Armani, Kenzo, Yamamoto and Versace. The gross national income per capita (per year) in the Republic of the Congo may be US$1,710, but the Sapeurs will think nothing of spending that on a single pair of shoes. Most of these men will save up for years or borrow huge sums to fund their lavish wardrobes. They will also share clothes to maintain the appearance of affluence, pick up items from fashion boutiques in Brazzaville, or have pieces made by local tailors. True Sapologie is about more than expensive labels; the true art lies in a Sapeur s ability to >

32 62 / HERITAGE / Fashion HERITAGE / 63 put together a look that is European, but has an African twist. The movement can be traced back to the Congolese resistance in the 1920s, when young men sought to adopt and imitate French and Belgian clothes as a way of combating colonial superiority. Congolese houseboys spurned their masters secondhand clothes and became defiant consumers, acquiring the latest fashions from Paris by spending their small monthly wages extravagantly. After independence in 1960, Kinshasa the Democratic Republic of the Congo s capital and Brazzaville became centres for a new African Francophone elite. They travelled to Paris and London, returning with designer clothes. Congolese people are known for taking pride in their appearance their maxim being that they would rather dress well than eat well yet La SAPE takes the art of looking good to the next level. Papa Wemba, the famously dapper Congolese rumba singer credited with popularising the Sapeur look, said inspiration for La SAPE came from his parents who, in the 1960s, were, always well put together, always looking very smart. Although during the 1980s there were campaigns to ban Sapeurs from public spaces, they have been resurgent in recent years, and are now treated with respect as a vital and life-affirming part of the country s cultural heritage. Sapeurs of all ages continue to gather to dance, talk and have friendly fashion face-offs as they compete for the bestdressed title. In a country torn apart by colonialism, corruption, civil war and poverty, the Sapeurs have found that shared sartorial ambitions and their gentlemanly civil code of conduct can help to heal the infighting. I don t see how anyone in La SAPE could be violent or fight. Peace means a lot to us, says Severin (62), whose father was also a Sapeur. The La SAPE movement is constantly evolving beause the country s disenfranchised youth see fashion as a way of navigating the journey from developing country to a more hopeful future. Despite being a tradition passed down the patrilineage, many Congolese women have begun donning designer suits, in order to become Sapeuses. And the increasing La SAPE following across Central Africa is being helped by the region s exuberance and freedom of expression. As Papa Wemba once said, White people invented the clothes, but we make an art of it. Indeed, a quick perusal of the images herein should leave you in little doubt as to who wore it better? Boukaka (30) has been a Sapeur for 25 years. He works as an electrician, has a child and is married. Although he loves his Ray-Ban glasses and Tissot watch, his favourite accessory is his earring. The Sapeurs will spend US$3,000 on a suit when they don t even have running water Tariq Zaidi Above: Maxim (43) has been a Sapeur since he was seven years old. He mixes labels such as Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior with suits that he has made himself. Now married and the father of two children, he teaches others the art of dressing elegantly. Left: Nino (31) takes a stroll through his neighbourhood with his Mississippi-style wooden pipe. He paints houses and fixes roofs, but in Sapeur mode, he s treated like a rock star.

33 ENTERTAINMENT / 65 Kenya Airways offers its passengers complimentary inflight entertainment. The programme will vary in different aircraft types. Check your screen to view the selection on your flight. Relax & Enjoy Discover our complimentary blockbusters, new releases, African films, all-time favourites, Bollywood films, TV, audio and games during your flight. These are this season s highlights. Gravity (read more on the next page) You just point the damned thing at Earth. It s not rocket science Matt Kowalski Played by George Clooney in the movie Gravity MOVIE RATINGS G Suitable for all ages PG Some material may not be suitable or children PG-13 Some material may be inapproriate for children under 13 R Under-17s should watch only with parental approval Please note: at certain periods of the month the programming may differ from that shown.

34 66 / ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT / 67 New Releases New Releases Gravity Sci-Fi Alfonso Cuarón approached the creation of Gravity with one clear theme in mind: adversity. From this sprung the image of a lone figure spinning into space. Gravity follows medical engineer Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) as she embarks on her first space mission. Alongside her, on his last expedition before retirement, is veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney). When debris strikes their shuttle, causing irreparable damage and killing all but Stone and Kowalski, the two are left stranded with little hope of rescue. Though intent on survival, they must overcome extreme conditions and acute isolation as they fight to make it back to Earth. On more than one occasion, the looming maw of space forces them to confront their own mortality. Cuarón and his team were faced with unique challenges as they worked to accurately simulate the physics of space. They were pushing the boundaries of film-making, and at times it seemed as thought their dream was impossible to execute. Four years of dedication and innovation later however, Gravity came to screens in all its cinematic glory. It has since been lauded for its cinematography, visual effects, musical score and direction. Sandra Bullock s performance was also met with much critical acclaim. Tag (2018) COMEDY Every year, five friends meet to play tag, which they ve done since school. This year, the game coincides with the wedding of the only undefeated player. Jeremy Renner, Ed Helms, Jake Johnson. R, 100 mins. Director: Jeff Tomsic. Crazy Rich Asians (2018) COMEDY This contemporary romantic comedy, based on a global bestseller, follows native New Yorker Rachel Chu to Singapore to meet her boyfriend s family. Constance Wu, Henry Golding. PG-13, 120 mins, Director: Jon M. Chu. Modern Life Is Rubbish (2017) COMEDY Brought together by their shared love of music, Liam and Natalie are at breaking point. In their case, opposites attract in the short term. Ian Hart. R, 105 mins. Director: Daniel Jerome Gill. Ocean s 8 (2018) ACTION Just out of prison, Danny Ocean s sister and criminal mastermind, Debbie, gathers a crew of female thieves to pull off the heist of the century. Sandra Bullock, Cate Blanchett. PG-13, 110 mins. Director: Gary Ross. The Darkest Minds (2018) SCI-FI After a disease kills most of America s children, the survivors develop superpowers and are placed in internment camps. A group of teens escapes. Mandy Moore. PG-13, 103 mins. Director: Jennifer Yuh Nelson. The Predator (2018) ACTION When the universe s most lethal hunters return to Earth, only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers and a teacher can prevent the end of the human race. Yvonne Strahovski, Olivia Munn. R, 107 mins. Director: Shane Black. Sandra Bullock, George Clooney. PG-13, 91 mins. Director: Alfonso Cuarón. Did you know ~ It took more than three years to create the film s visual effects. ~ During filming Sandra Bullock was placed inside a giant, mechanical rig for up to 10 hours at a time. The Mercy (2018) ADVENTURE The incredible story of amateur sailor Donald Crowhurst and his solo attempt to circumnavigate the globe. Rachel Weisz, Colin Firth. R, 112 mins. Director: James Marsh. The Wedding Guest (2017) COMEDY Returning home for his ex-girlfriend s wedding, Adam must convince himself and everyone else that he is truly happy for her. Lea Thompson, Cobie Smulders. R, 105 mins. Director: Ryan Eggold. The Meg (2018) ACTION After escaping an attack by what he claims was a 21-m shark, Jonas Taylor must confront his fears to save those trapped in a sunken submersible. Ruby Rose, Jason Statham. PG-13, 113 mins. Director: Jon Turteltaub.

35 68 / ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT / 69 African Highlights Bollywood My Story Dear Mummy B Film Picks from the continent We ve selected the best of current African cinema, including drama and comedy. My Story (2018) DRAMA A civil engineer supervising a building in a poor village takes a liking to a poor boy. Things take an interesting turn when the engineer takes the boy with him to the city. Zubby Michael, Offiafuluagu Mbaka, Chizzy Alichi. R, 134 mins. Director: Daniel Chukwueze. Wet (2018) ROMANCE A successful career woman, who has been jilted by many men, falls in love with her assistant. Ruth Kadiri, Fred Peters. R, 94 mins. Director: Emmanuel Mang Eme. Dear Mummy B (2018) DRAMA A single mother s advice to her daughter s friend goes viral on the Internet, bringing with it fame and fortune. It also places a strain on their relationship. Ada Ameh, Yvonne Jegede Fawole. R, 100 mins. Director: Tope Oshin. Wet Cooked Up Love Cooked Up Love (2018) ROMANCE A combination of good looks, charisma and finesse makes Chef Abbey s TV show the toast of the cooking community. A twist on the show results in an unlikely reunion with his ex. Enado Odigie, Bimbo Ademoye. R, 98 mins. Director: Desmond Elliot. Blood Brothers (2018) DRAMA A greedy man attempts to usurp family assets after the demise of his brother. However, his nephew decides to take measures to curb his uncle s excesses. Daniel K Daniel, Chinwe Owoh. R, 132 mins. After Dark (2018) DRAMA A ghetto boy invites his friend to stay in his mother s house, only for his presence to attract danger and propel his life in a different direction. Daniel K Daniel, Ebele Okaru Onyiuke. R, 136 mins. The Friend Zone (2017) DRAMA Two good friends find themselves in a predicament when their emotions get in the way of their friendship. Ebube Nwagbo, Onyii Alex. R, 97 mins. Wife for Rent (2016) ROMANCE An ambitious young man seeks out a wife to rent when a colleague tells him that he is likely to be overlooked for promotion at work because he s unmarried. Seun Akindele, Mimi Orjiekwe, Tissy Nnachi. PG-13, 114 mins. We ve selected some recent comedy, drama and musical titles from India s Hindi-language cinema. Newton (2017) COMEDY A government clerk on election duty in the jungle tries to conduct fair voting despite the apathy of security forces and the fear of guerrilla attacks. Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi, Anjali Patil. R, 106 mins. Director: Amit Masurkar. The Brawler (2017) ACTION Aspiring boxer Shravan works day and night to achieve his dream of becoming a professional. However, things go awry when he falls in love. Vineet Kumar Singh, Zoya Hussain. R, 154 mins. Director: Anurag Kashyap. Blackmail (2018) ACTION When Dev finds out his wife is cheating on him, Blackmail Film Picks from Bollywood he secretly blackmails his wife and her lover as a form of revenge. Irrfan Khan, Kirti Kulhari. R, 138 mins. Director: Abhinay Deo. Almost Single (2017) COMEDY After reluctantly joining a dating app, a 35-yearold widow accompanies an easy-going poet on a trip to visit three of his exes. Irrfan Khan, Parvathy, Bajrangbali Singh. PG-13, 125 mins. Director: Tanuja Chandra. Long before me there was another Newton... I never understood what he meant while I was studying... but now while working I ve understood it Munna Michael (2017) MUSICAL A young man tries to follow in the footsteps of his idol, The King of Pop, Michael Jackson. Tiger Shroff. R, 140 mins. Director: Sabir Khan. Newton

36 70 / ENTERTAINMENT ENTERTAINMENT / 71 TV Music Channel Explained: The Channel number for your favourite music programmes is shown at the end of each description. It's determined by the aircraft type, so you will need to know what type of aircraft you re on. Please check the safety card in front of you. Spotlight on Van The Man Audio Friends Gillette World Sport Northern-Irish musician Van Morrison has touched copious hearts with his spellbinding music. With myriad hit songs, such as Brown Eyed Girl, Moondance, Someone Like You and Cyprus Avenue, Van Morrison has become a music legend. His second album, Astral Weeks, is regarded my most fans as his best work, and it s considered in the industry to be one of the best albums of all time. Bruce Springsteen said that Astral Weeks gave him a sense of the divine. CNBC Conversation Fish Life 24: Live Another Day KQ Radio (with guest DJ) Our guest DJs bring you some of Kenya s biggest hits. B737 CH. 3 Small Screen Programmes & Series We ve selected the best TV comedies, drama, sports and lifestyle programmes for your entertainment. Comedy The Big Bang Theory, Season 10, Episodes 9, 10, 11: A woman who moves into an apartment across the hall from two brilliant but socially awkward physicists shows them how little they know about life outside of the laboratory. Friends, Season 6, Episodes 5, 6, 7: This comedy hit follows the personal and professional lives of six friends living in New York. Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air, Season 2, Episodes 1, 2, 3: A streetwise young man from Philadelphia is sent by his mother to live with his aunt, uncle and cousins in their Bel-Air mansion. Sports Gillette World Sport, Season 1, Episode 9: A look at sports around the world. Super Bowl LII: The 2008 Super Bowl was one of the most sensational season finales in 52 years, setting several records. Pure Outdoor, Season 1, Episode 1: A look at the eco sports that people have now embraced in their leisure time. Pathfinders, Season 1, Episode 3: Pathfinders follows travellers who seek adventure and open spaces. Lifestyle Dreams Aquamarine: A film that promotes relaxation through the use of ocean colours and sounds. Spirited Traveller, Season 1, Episode 1: Chef Kiran Jethwa maps Indian cuisines and culture. Cities Turn Green, Season 1, Episode 3: Portraits of New York s urban farmers. Discover Fish Life, Season 1, Episode 6: Witness the profusion of life that inhabits the world s oceans. City Tour New York: Home to the Empire State Building, Times Square, the Statue of Liberty and other iconic sites, New York is a fast-paced, globally influential centre of art, culture, fashion and finance. News CNBC Conversation: Coverage of recent economic events. Real Economy: Real Economy hones in on the economic issues that impact our everyday lives. Lasting Legacy, Season 2, Episode 1: Lasting Legacy goes behind the scenes of some of Europe s most successful family businesses, to find out just how family life and company strategy cross over. Drama Bones, Season 11, Episode 7, 8: Forensic anthropologist Dr. Temperance Bones Brennan and cocky FBI Special Agent Seeley Booth build a team to investigate murders. More often than not there isn t much more to examine than rotten flesh and mere bones. 24: Live Another Day, Season 9, Episodes 3, 4: Jack Bauer comes out of hiding in London to head off a massive terrorist attack while being hunted down by American forces dispatched by President James Heller. African Classics The best tunes from classic African artists, from Angélique Kidjo to Umanji. B737 CH. 4 Jazz Our highly diverse collection is a must-listen for the discerning jazz fan. B737 CH. 7 Pop Enjoy our sampling of all of today s most-loved pop music. B737 CH. 8 Dance Hall/Reggae We offer a fusion of sounds, with a range of diverse artists. B737 CH. 6 Classical Sit back and relax to our classical collection s awe-inspiring compositions. B737 CH. 5 Chinese Pop The perfect selection for exploring the sounds of the Orient. B737 CH.9 Easy Listening Unwind and take it easy with some laid-back sounds. B737 CH. 10 Meditation Sit back, relax and de-stress to the ultimate meditation mix. ONLY ON B787 and B777 The first piece of music that captured my imagination was probably Ray Charles Live At Newport Van Morrison Getty Images

37 72 / ENTERTAINMENT Kids Animation Teen Titans Go! To The Movies A villain s maniacal plan for world domination side-tracks five teenage superheroes who dream of Hollywood stardom. With a few madcap ideas and a song in their heart, the Teen Titans head to Tinsel Town, certain to pull off their dream of starring in their own film. But when the group is radically misdirected by a super villain and his maniacal plan to take over the Earth, things really go awry. The team finds their friendship and their fighting spirit failing, putting the very fate of the Teen Titans themselves on the line. Greg Cipes, Scott Menville. PG, 88 mins. Directors: Aaron Horvath, Peter Rida Michail Film and TV The Ones to Watch These are the most popular films from our selection. If you ve already seen these, take your pick from this season s selection of 35 family and kids films. Happiness Is A Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown Linus is pushed to his limits when he learns Grandma is coming to visit. Austin Lux, Amanda Pace. G, 60 mins. Directors: Frank Molieri, Andrew Beall Tom & Jerry (Classic) Tom, a grey-and-white cat is always trying to catch Jerry, a little brown mouse. Compilation Captain Planet And The Planeteers A quintet of teenagers work together to encourage environmentally responsible behaviour. Season 1, Episode 9 The Flintstones The misadventures of a modern-day Stone Age family, The Flintstones. Season 1, Episode 15

38 SAFARI NJEMA / 75 Saint Valentine of Rome, who was executed for performing weddings for soldiers, signed his farewell letter, Your Valentine. To book flights to Gabon go to kenya-airways.com. Safari Njema Shutterstock Five Valentine Hotspots in New York 1 Brooklyn Bridge provides great views of Manhattan as you walk across it on your way to your romantic dinner. It will also ensure that you have a good appetite. 2 Frenchette is a very popular French restaurant that s hard to get a table at before 10 p.m., so if you want to impress your Valentine, book a month ahead. 3 Blue Hill has a menu that s based on seasonal crops grown at nearby farms; a sustainable choice for the environmentally conscious cupid. 4 Westlight is a great rooftop bar in Williamsburg where you can enjoy cocktails and toast to the sweeping views of Queens, Manhattan and Brooklyn. 5 Rockefeller Center provides a great activity for intrepid romantics: an outdoor ice-skating rink. Buy tickets in advance or just show up. The last session starts at p.m.

39 Kenya Airways launched a carbon offset programme in 2011, the first African airline to do so. News SAFARI NJEMA / 77 Kenya Airways New York route requires 4 pilots and 12 flight attendants. The Flying Blue interview Company Man The Flying Blue Gold member and Senior Executive Director of Kenafric Industries Ltd. was on the recent inaugural non-stop flight to New York. While growing his business, Mayur Shah has spent countless hours in the sky with Kenya Airways. Mayur Kumar V. Shah ity Kenyan Profession Senior Executive Director of Kenafric Industries Ltd.: one of the largest home-grown and privately owned consumer goods makers in East Africa. What s your personal story? I was born in Karatina as the youngest in a family of four brothers. My father came to Kenya from Gujarat, India, in search of greener pastures. After many years, he began a wholesale business. This is where I got my love for entrepreneurship. It runs in my blood. I m passionate about positioning Kenafric as the leading household manufacturer of diverse consumer goods, from footwear and confectionery, to food and stationery. What does Kenya Airways mean to you? My relationship with Kenya Airways spans over 20 years. It s my only solution when travelling to many destinations. A national symbol that s true to its mantra: it is indeed the Pride of Africa. What examples do you have that illustrate this? Kenya Airways has been instrumental to the success of my business. The airline s robust network has enabled us to penetrate many markets across Africa. We export to over 25 countries including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Senegal, Mali, Uganda and, recently, Ghana. What keeps you coming back? The world-class service and care I receive on board. As a frequent flyer, the staff recognise me and make me feel appreciated. The warm, friendly African hospitality is something I experience whenever I travel with the airline. Why is the direct flight to New York so important to you? It s a real game-changer as the fastest connection from East Africa to New York. At only hours, I get to save time, which is key for a business traveller like me. It will also play a pivotal role in boosting our economy. I see immense trade opportunities for Kenya and New York. It will help push up tourist numbers and promote trade and investment in both regions. What makes you feel proud when travelling? As a country, we are already known for our famous game reserves like Maasai Mara, and our long-distance runners. Now we can add Kenya Airways to the list as the first airline in East Africa to offer non-stop flights to New York. This is something to be proud of: the feeling that I m supporting and building Kenya whenever I travel the Pride of Africa. Kenya Airways has been instrumental to the success of my business What s your most interesting travel encounter? Once, while travelling to Tanzania, I met a business mogul on board a Kenya Airways flight with whom I was able to close my first deal for Dar es Salaam! Other important people I have met include: Ted Turner, founder of CNN, and Frank and Dan Carney, founders of Pizza Hut. They helped me to establish the route I wanted to take in my career, which has since created a new destiny for my family and I. Finally, I must not forget the Kenya Airways crew, who light up my travels on every flight.

40 78 / SAFARI NJEMA Want to know the carbon emission of your flight? Visit climatecare.org and click on the carbon calculator. News Kenya Airways now flies to Paris more often, with six direct flights each week. Leadership Mikosz Attends Key Meeting Group Managing Director and CEO Kenya Airways Sebastian Mikosz joined other African aviation leaders for the 50th African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Annual General Assembly (AGA) and Summit on 25 and 26 November 2018 in Rabat, Morocco. The AGA and summit is a high-profile air transport event dedicated to airline CEOs and invited top executives in the aviation industry. It brings together more aviation industry executives and principal decision-makers than any aviation event in Africa. Like any other annual general meeting, the event provided an opportunity for the sector s leaders to deal with the most important issues, which include the trends, challenges and opportunities in Africa. Speaking during the CEOs roundtable, Mikosz said, African airlines should not shy away from the high standards set out because it s in high compliance that the African airlines will soar and thrive to even greater heights. Let s not compromise on standards. I must not forget the Kenya Airways crew, who light up my travels on every flight Farming Grafting For Better Yields In southeastern Kenya, low and unpredictable rainfall has caused consistently poor agricultural yields and negatively affected local communities who rely on subsistence farming. Wildlife Works, Kenya Airways carbon offsetting partner, carries out training with communities living in the Kasigau Corridor in Tsavo using alternative crops that are better adapted to growing in low rainfall. As part of this, Wildlife Works has been grafting fruit seedlings since Grafting involves joining a scion of a desired high-yield plant onto a root stock seedling of a drought-resistant local variety. Grafted seedlings produce high-quality and fast-maturing plants, and provide tremendous opportunities for small-scale farmers to enhance their incomes. Wildlife Works demonstrates the grafting process to local community groups and school groups (among others), and is proud to support farmers in increasing yields, reducing the reliance on food aid and empowering Kenyans to support their families financially. Mayur Shah Flying Blue Gold member ~ Offset your carbon With your Kenya Airways flight you can help to protect the environment. Simply tick a box when booking to offset carbon emissions per journey. Funds go to initiatives in conjunction with Wildlife Works. Visit wildlifeworks.com to find out more.

41 80 / SAFARI NJEMA SAFARI NJEMA / 81 About 80 percent of Somalia s population are pastoralists. News To book your flight to Mogadishu go to jambojet.com How many Miles did you earn while flying to your current destination? Find out online with the Flying Blue Miles Calculator. Flying Blue There are new discounted award tickets, or Promo Awards, available every month, saving you up to 50 percent on Award Miles. Expansion Cargo Flights Begin to The US Kenya Airways inaugural cargo flight to New York s John F. Kennedy International Airport from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi took place on 1 December paving the way for increased trade between the two countries. We have gone through the entire regulatory clearances with the TSA [Transport Security Authority], and we have been engaging our customers on the potential. So if I look at the demand in the pipeline, my worry now is that payload may become an issue, but the demand is certainly there, said Commercial Manager Cargo Kenya Airways Peter Musola in an NTV Kenya news report. CEO Kenya Private Sector Alliance Carole Kariuki added, A lot of our products horticultural flowers have gone through Europe and that is time lost. Remember, these are perishable goods, so it means a lot more cost working on all manner of technology to preserve them. This shortens all of that, meaning more traffic of our products this way and more fresh products that would come to the US market from Kenya. The Pride of Africa flies to 53 destinations worldwide Sebastian Mikosz Group Managing Director and CEO Kenya Airways Service improvements Select Your Seat Kenya Airways has introduced a seat selection option in Economy Class, meaning that guests can now reserve a Preferred Seat or Extra Legroom Seat and enjoy a little more comfort for a small fee. Preferred Seats, which are closer to the front of the aircraft, allow customers to disembark quicker, while the Extra Legroom Seats offer a little more comfort than the rest of the Economy Class cabin. We want to provide a choice of seat selection to enhance the travel experience of those who prefer extra comfort, or being seated in the front part of the Economy Class cabin for easy access to the exit points, said Group Managing Director and CEO Kenya Airways Sebastian Mikosz. This product is available on all Kenya Airways-operated flights. Guests can now purchase their seats any time before departure on our website Kenya-airways.com or any of our sales outlets. Kenya Airways flies to 43 destinations in Africa and carries over 4 million passengers annually. The Pride of Africa flies to 53 destinations worldwide. The airline continues to modernise its fleet with its 32 aircraft being some of the youngest in Africa. Membership levels Redeem Your Miles! The Flying Blue frequent flyer programme allows you to earn Miles for every flight you take with Kenya Airways, Air France, KLM, Joon, HOP!, Transavia, Aircalin, TAROM, SkyTeam, or other airline partners. You can redeem your Miles to fly with Kenya Airways or upgrade your seats to Business Class. There are four membership levels in Flying Blue, and with each qualifying flight you take, you gain XP (Experience Points). When you first enrol, you will be awarded Explorer status, which progresses to Silver, Gold and ultimately Platinum. The more you travel with Kenya Airways or one of our partner airlines, the higher your level becomes, which results in you earning more Miles and enjoying more benefits. Miles can be redeemed for flights to destinations operated by Kenya Airways or our partner airlines. Go for an upgrade, a seat with more legroom or an a la carte feast with your Miles. Pay for your hotel stay or car rental with Miles. Your accumulated Miles are valid for life as long as you take an eligible flight at least once every two years. The total number of Miles credited to your account on Kenya Airways-marketed flights is based on distance, the booking class earning percentage, and the Elite bonus earning percentage, if applicable. ~ Enrol now and start to enjoy the benefits Flying Blue has to offer. Go to flyingblue.com for more information and to sign up. 1 Exchange Reward Miles can be redeemed for a flight to any Kenya Airways destination or an upgrade to Business Class. 2 Check Your choice of destination determines the number of Miles required for your Reward ticket. Log on to flyingblue.com to check if you have sufficient Miles for your choice. It is advisable to have flexible date options in case your initial choice is not available. 3 Redeem Once you have made your choice, you can redeem your Award Miles by two methods: A. Call the Kenya Airways contact centres in Nairobi on ; or B. Visit kenya-airways.com and go to Loyalty Program, Flying Blue, Earn and Spend. For further information, you can always contact us at kenya-airways.custhelp.com. 4 Tax Reward Miles do not cover tax charges. These will need to be paid for separately and this can be done so via credit card, M-Pesa or a cash payment at any Kenya Airways office. 5 Easy Does It Five steps to make the most of your Miles. Ticket Once payment has been received, your e-ticket will be sent to you by . ~ Reward tickets are subject to seat availability. The number of Miles required varies depending on available booking class. ~ Miles can be used for flights and for upgrades to Business Class when you have already purchased an Economy Class Kenya Airways ticket on Y,B,M,U,K,H,L,Q,T,R,N & V classes for all routes. All upgrades are subject to seat availability in Business Class.

42 SkyTeam operates more than 17,000 departures a day to 1,080 destinations in 177 countries, and offers SkyTeam members 750 lounges in airports worldwide. SkyTeam SAFARI NJEMA / 83 Founded in June 2000, SkyTeam is a major airline alliance that consists of 20 carriers from 5 continents Another Exciting Year for SkyTeam January is a month to start afresh and look ahead, so we ve decided to reveal just a little of what you can expect from SkyTeam and its member airlines in This month, Garuda Indonesia celebrates 70 years in the sky, while Xiamen Air becomes 35 in July. In 2019, Korean Air turns 50, China Airlines becomes 60, Air France and Aeromexico both reach 85 and KLM, one of the world s longest-operating airlines, will celebrate its centenary in October. As for Sky- Team, we turn 19 on 22 June. Anniversaries aside, there are plenty more developments to look forward to in the coming months. Customers flying with Middle East Airlines from Beirut will be among the first to see its brandnew airport expansion; keep an eye out for updates as we countdown to the grand opening. SkyTeam launched its very first lounge in London s Heathrow Airport in 2009, so this year marks our 10th year of lounges, and the good news is that we have no plans to slow down; in fact, we re adding more! This year will see brand-new facilities open in Santiago and Istanbul New Airport, giving you more opportunities than ever to work, call loved ones or simply unwind before your flight. Elsewhere, Air Europa will give customers more choice and add two new routes to its offering: Panama from February and Iguazu from June. The airline will also grow its fleet with five new Boeing 787-9s and its first three Boeing 737 MAXs. They re not the only ones: China Eastern Airlines and Aeromexico will also sign for new aircraft. And the latter has rolled out a carefully crafted new menu for Business Class customers on Europebound flights. ~ This is only a taste of what s to come this year, follow us on on or visit skyteam.com.

43 84 / SAFARI NJEMA SAFARI NJEMA / 85 Global Network Kenya Airways Fleet Boeing 787 Dreamliner THE NETHERLANDS Amsterdam London GREAT-BRITAIN Aircraft 7; Seats Economy 204, Premier 30; Crew 14; Seat pitch Economy 32 ; Premier 75 ; Max. take-off weight 227,930kg; Fuel capacity 126,903 litres; Range 14,500km; Typical cruising speed at 35,000ft Mach 0.85; Thrust per engine at sea level 69,800lbs; Wing span 60.1m; Length 56.7m; Interior cabin width 5.49m Paris FRANCE UNITED STATES New York UNITED ARAB EMIRATES CHINA Dubai Guangzhou Mumbai SUDAN Khartoum MALI SENEGAL Dakar Bamako Monrovia LIBERIA Addis Ababa BENIN Abuja GHANA Lagos Abidjan Accra Cotonou CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC CAMEROON Douala Bangkok Djibouti NIGERIA COTE D'IVOIRE Freetown SIERRA LEONE INDIA Yaoundé THAILAND DJIBOUTI Aircraft 8; Seats Economy 129, Premier 16; Crew 8; Seat pitch Economy 32, Premier 47 ; Max. take-off weight 79,015kg; Fuel capacity 26,020 litres; Range 5,665km; Typical cruising speed at 35,000ft Mach 0.78; Thrust per engine at sea level 26,400lbs; Wing span 34.3m; Length 39.5m; Interior cabin width 3.53m SOMALIA ETHIOPIA SOUTH SUDAN Juba Bangui UGANDA KENYA Entebbe/Kampala Kisumu Kigali NAIROBI Libreville GABON Brazzaville Kinshasa DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO RWANDA Bujumbura Kilimanjaro BURUNDI Mombasa Mahé TANZANIA SEYCHELLES Dar es Salaam Luanda Lubumbashi MALAWI Ndola Lilongwe ANGOLA Moroni/COMOROS Dzaoudzi/MAYOTTE ZAMBIA Lusaka Blantyre Nampula Livingstone Harare Victoria Falls ZIMBABWE MOZAMBIQUE Johannesburg SOUTH AFRICA Cape Town Chantal van Wessel/Vizualism Boeing Antananarivo MADAGASCAR Boeing Aircraft 2; Seats Economy 100, Premier 16; Crew 7; Seat pitch Economy 32, Premier 40 ; Max. take-off weight 70,080kg; Fuel capacity 26,020 litres; Range 6,225km; Typical cruising speed at 35,000ft Mach 0.785; Thrust per engine at sea level 26,400lbs; Wing span 34.3m; Length 33.6m; Interior cabin width 3.53m MAURITIUS Maputo Embraer 190 Aircraft 15; Seats Economy 84, Premier 12; Crew 7; Seat pitch Economy 31, Premier 38 ; Max. take-off weight 51,800kg; Fuel capacity 16,153 litres; Range 2,935km; Typical cruising speed at 35,000ft Mach 0.82; Thrust per engine at sea level 20,000lbs; Wing span 28.72m; Length 36.24m; Interior cabin width 2.74m

44 86 / SAFARI NJEMA SAFARI NJEMA / 87 The Nairobi Park stopover package allows guests travelling on flight KQ101 from London Heathrow to enjoy a wildlife tour during their transit. Welcome to Kenya Passengers travelling in a group of at least ten (economy cabin) or five (business cabin), can request for a group fare. SOUTH- SUD A N E T HIOPIA Practical tips Getty Images Getting around On Arrival TO THE CITY Jomo Kenyatta International Airport is about a 30-minute drive away from Nairobi city. Moi International Airport, Mombasa is a 20-minute drive to Mombasa city. More time is needed during rush hour. VISA Most visitors to Kenya require a visa. Multiple and single entry visas are available. You can apply at any Kenya High Commission or Embassy prior to travelling. The single entry visa (obtainable upon arrival at the airport) is US$50 (correct at time of print) or the equivalent in local currency. You will also require a passport that is valid for three months from the moment of entry. Health Emergency services Dial 999. Note that ambulance services are mostly private. Services include: St Johns Ambulance or Kenya Red Cross Ambulance Hospitals Nairobi and Mombasa have good hospitals. Medical expenses Make sure you have adequate travel health insurance and accessible funds to cover the cost of any medical treatment. Consultations and treatments will have to be paid for at the time, and the costs claimed back later. General Voltage 240 volts AC, using three-square-pin, 13-amp-type plugs. Security It is advisable not to walk alone in isolated areas in towns or on beaches, particularly after dark. Tipping Tips are appreciated. Most hotels/restaurants add a 10 percent service charge. Water It is wise to drink or use only boiled or bottled water, and to avoid ice in drinks. Self-drive Traffic adheres to the lefthand side of the road, and most cars are right-hand drive. A current driving licence with photograph is accepted for up to a threemonth stay. Public transport Nairobi is the only city with an effective municipal bus What & How service. Local (private) matatus are the main means of getting around. Taxi service Uber operates in Nairobi and Mombasa. Photography Taking photographs of official buildings, including embassies, can lead to detention. Photography is also prohibited at airports. Embassies & consulates All embassies are located in Nairobi. ID You must carry a valid form of ID with you at all times. Post office Open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mondays to Fridays; and 9 a.m. to 12 noon Saturdays. Telephone/internet Phone cards may be bought from post offices or international call offices. s can be sent from most hotels. Money matters Currency Kenyan shilling (KES) Currency regulations There are no restrictions on the movement of currency into or out of Kenya for currency transactions. Banking Banks are generally open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Mondays to Fridays; and 9 a.m. to 12 noon Saturdays. Banks in coastal towns open and close half an hour earlier. Most ATMs accept international VISA cards. Credit cards Visa and MasterCard are widely accepted. Hotel bill payment Pay in Kenyan shillings or convertible currency. Most hotels also accept credit cards. LAKE VICTORIA UGA N D A Lokichokio Muruasigar 2149 m Songot 1755 m Nasolot Reserve TA NZANIA Central Island Park Namoratunga Stones Lodwar Masai Mara Reserve South Turkana Reserve LAKE TURKANA South Island Park RIFT VALLEY Sibiloi Park Nairobi Park LAKE MAGADI Shompole Conservancy CHALBI DESERT Loiyangalani Mt Kulal 2285 m Kajiado West Chyulu Game Conservation Area Amboseli Park Mt Kilimanjaro 5895 m Marsabit Reserve Losai Reserve Marsabit Marsabit Park Maralal Saiwa Matthew s Peak Swamp Sanctuary 2375 m Mt Elgon Park Kaisungua Maralal Reserve Kitale 3167 m Samburu Mt Elgon Kerio Valley Reserve Shaba 4322 m Reserve Reserve ELDORET Archer s Post LAKE BARINGO Kakamega Buffalo Springs Forest Reserve Lake Bogoria Isiolo Meru Reserve Kakamega Reserve Park Ndere Island Nanyuki Park KISUMU Meru Mt Londiani Rusinga Island Kericho 3000 m North Nakuru Mt Kenya Kitu Lake Nakuru 5199 m Mfangango Park Nyerri Embu Reserve Island Kisii Muranga a Mwea Ruma Hell s Gate Park Mt Longonot 2777 m Reserve Park RIFT VALLEY Longonot Park Thika Migori Narok NAIROBI Oi Donyo Park Chantal van Wessel OFFICES & AGENTS Head Office Airport North Road, Embakasi P.O. Box: Nairobi, Kenya, Tel +254 (0) , Safaricom , Airtel Contact Centre (24 hours) Tel +254 (0) Safaricom , Airtel customer.relations@kenya-airways.com JKIA Sales Office Terminal 1C International Departures Tel +254 (0) /8, Terminal 1D Domestic Departures Tel +254 (0) Baggage Services Tel delayedbaggage.nbo@kenya-airways.com Tsavo West Park K ENYA Tsavo East Park Voi Kora Park Moyale Rahole Reserve Mwaluganje Elephant Sanctuary Shimba Hills Reserve Garissa MOMBASA Wajir Tana River Primate Reserve Malka Mari Reserve Arabuko Malindi Marine Sokoke Park Park Malindi Watamu Marine Park Diani Kisite Marine Park Kisite Marine Park Boni Arawale Reserve Reserve Dodori Reserve SOMALIA INDIAN OCEAN 100 km

45 SAFARI NJEMA / 89 Cargo Very Important Pet Golden Ticket On board the maiden direct fiight from New York to Nairobi was a very special guest with a sky-high cuteness factor: a Goldendoodle puppy! Louie made the journey in cargo thanks to the joint efforts of Kenya Airways, Avia Cargo and The ARK at JFK's Pet Oasis. A cross between a Golden Retriever and Poodle, Louie was bred in Alabama and was on his way to his new home in Kenya. Delivered directly to the aircraft in time for the inaugural flight last October, Louie received the VIP experience. He was safely loaded and secured in the aircraft's temperature-controlled and pressurised cargo hold, where he rested during the trip. The doors opened in Nairobi, and Louie was carefully unloaded. After a veterinary inspection and a breeze through customs, he was united with his owner, who was pleased to see him in such good spirits, "I couldn't believe how happy, clean and excited he was after a 15-hour flight!" she says. "It not only makes me want to teil the world to trust how amazing Kenya Airways is, hut makes me confident to take Kenya Airways to JFK myself." Louie is just the first of many animals that are now able enjoy the ultra longhaul journey in comfort and safety. Kenya Airways is committed to providing the best possible travel experience for animals in transit. "KQ Live is our safe and caring service for the transportation of animals," says Boniface Mugugu, Cargo Sales Manager Kenya Airways (KQ). "We offer continuous care for animals by spe cially trained staff before, during and after flights." KQ Live is available to all Kenya Airways destinations. As well as accompanied and unaccompanied pets, wild animals (such as rescued monkeys in the care of wildlife associations) are also allowed to travel. As live animals are the first item to come out of the aircraft upon arrival, both pets and wild animals are loaded last and kept next to the entrance, where off-loading time is at a minimum. In most cases, a vet is present before take off and on arrival as an extra measure. This is sometimes necessary for wild animals. Kenya Airways strictly adheres to a failsafe process that helps to prevent the illegal traflicking of wildlife, particularly endangered species. A dedicated sales and customer service team attend to all questions or concerns, and information about anima! shipments is available via a track and trace system on the website after flight departure.

46 90 / SAFARI NJEMA KQ won the Best Business Class in Africa for five years in a row from World Travel Awards. Get Comfortable KQ received an International Safety Award in 2016 and 2017 from the British Safety Council. What you need to know Flight Mode Safety Please watch the safety demonstration before take-off and refer to the leaflet in your seat pocket. Smoking is prohibited on all flights. Electronic devices including laptops, tablets and mobile phones may not be used during take-off and landing. Hand luggage Place hand luggage in the overhead storage or beneath the seat in front of you. Cabin crew will remove hand luggage from passengers seated in exit rows for take-off and landing. 1 Get a good night s sleep, eat a light meal and take some gentle exercise before your flight. Travel On The Move Six top tips for a healthy and comfortable journey 2 Wear comfortable clothing and shoes. 3 Keep your circulation going by standing up and walking in the aisle when possible. Flex muscles in your feet, arms, shoulders and neck. 4 Low cabin humidity on longer journeys can cause dry eyes, nose and throat. Remove contact lenses and apply To get lost is to learn the way African proverb moisturiser and lip balm. Avoid salt, drink plenty of water and moderate your intake of alcohol, tea and coffee. 5 When travelling across time zones your body s sleep rhythms can become disrupted, leading to insomnia, loss of appetite and fatigue. Try to give yourself some time to adjust to new night and day cycles when you arrive. 6 On arrival spend as much time as possible outside. Sunlight helps your body to adjust to a new time zone. Seat adjustments Ensure your seat is upright for take-off and landing. Infants Baby-changing tables can be found in selected toilets. The crew will help prepare baby food. Cots are available on some flights. Inflight service A hot meal is normally served during longhaul flights. Special-diet or vegetarian meals are available when pre-ordered. There is a courtesy inflight bar service for wine, beer, spirits and soft drinks. Entertainment Seat-back entertainment featuring a range of movies and music is available on our long- and medium-haul flights. Please refer to the IFE guide in Msafiri. Take-off The aircraft climbs steeply immediately after take-off. Shortly afterwards you will hear a reduction in the engine sound, while the aircraft continues to climb. All aircraft cabins are pressurised. Due to a change in pressure during take-off and landing, some passengers may experience slight discomfort in their ears. Relieve this by swallowing, yawning or pinching the nostrils gently, while keeping lips sealed. Landing After touchdown you may hear an increase in engine noise due to the reverse thrust applied to assist braking. Remain seated until the engines are off and the doors are open.

47