ISSUE 33 / MAY – JULY 2019
YOUR COMPLIMENTARY COPY
COMPETITION
WIN A NIGHT AWAY FOR TWO WITH IBIS STYLES
SUPPER CLUB
GRILLL SHACK
SLEEP OVER
SERENA NAIROBI
Five of the best GEMS OF KENYAN ARCHITECTURE
ALSO INSIDE THIS ISSUE: ENTERTAINMENT • NEWS • GADGETS • REVIEWS & MORE
CONTENTS
contents issue 33 REGULAR FEATURES 3 In this issue 4 540 news 26 SLEEP OVER
26
Nairobi Serena Hotel
29 DRIVE TIME
Rav 4
32 SUPPER CLUB
Grilll Shack
COVER STORY 8 Five of the Best
34 GADGETS
Image courtesy of Jimmy Nelson
35 ENTERTAINMENT
is published by Land & Marine Publications Ltd 1 Kings Court, Newcomen Way Severalls Business Park Colchester, Essex, UK, CO4 9RA Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Email: publishing@landmarine.com www.landmarine.com
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Best smart watches
Watch. Read. Listen.
40 Kids' Corner
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SPECIAL FEATURES
Advertising: Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Cell: +44 (0)7769 110343 (WhatsApp) Email: 540@landmarine.org
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11 Daniel ‘Churchill’ Ndambuki
Fly540 Aviation Baycourt Upper Floor, Suite 3&4, The Watermark Business Park Ndege Rd, Karen PO Box 10293-00100 Nairobi, Kenya Tel: +254 (0)20 388 3060-2 Fax: +254 (0)20 3883063 Email: info@fly540.com www.fly540.com The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the editor, or any other organisation associated with this publication. No liability can be accepted for any inaccuracies or omissions. ©2019 Land & Marine Publications Ltd
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New health app takes Africa by storm 11
King of Kenyan comedy
15 Kenya Open
the Kenya Open Golf Championship
19 Turkana
Vivid experiences in cradle of mankind
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22 Eldoret Indian restaurants
Indian cuisine at its most delicious
21 Advertising Feature
Sheffield Steel
USEFUL INFORMATION 36 Fly540 Network 37 Fly540 Contacts 38 Travel Information 39 Fly540 Fleet
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IN THIS ISSUE
In this issue
Issue 33
LOOK OUT FOR
Welcome aboard Welcome to our 33rd edition of Fly-540’s in-flight magazine, 540.
Sleep Over: Nairobi Serena Hotel, page 26 Watch. Read. Listen:
On page 35 we review the latest blockbuster movies, ‘must read’ books and music releases Gadgets: We checkout the Versa Fitbit Smart and more on page 34
We kick off this issue by offering a top prize to our readers. The lucky winner will receive a three-course meal including a bottle of wine and a bed-and-breakfast stay for two at the ibis Styles Hotel Westlands Nairobi. Read how you can be in with a chance of winning on Page 5. Our regular Five of the Best feature focuses on architectural gems in Kenya, including a bird’s nest-style property located on the Laikipia plains and an enchanting hot glass studio tucked away in a corner of Nairobi National Park. We have an exclusive interview with the king of comedy, Daniel ‘Churchill’ Ndambuki himself, about his TV show, inspirations and success. Our other regular features include a look inside the recently renovated Nairobi Serena Hotel as well as testing out the brand-new Dubaiowned eatery that opened recently in Nairobi’s Westgate mall.
restaurants, Sains and Kitchen Service, to get a good fill of authentic Indian food. This issue also looks back at the highlights of the Kenya Open Golf Championship, held in March at the exclusive Karen Country Club, along with plans for next year’s event. In our regular Drive Time feature, we’re focusing on the Toyota RAV4. As always, we check out the latest gadgets – in this issue we look at the best smart watches on the market – as well as reviewing the latest movies, albums and books to see you through the next few months. I hope you enjoy this issue. If you have any comments, please feel free to contact me by email at: amylaubach@landmarine.org. Amy Laubach Editor
We head to Eldoret to sample more delicious food, visiting two well-known
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Title
Images courtesy of Nils Laengner
Issue 33
WE SUPPORT KENYA’S TOP CYCLISTS IN RWANDA EVENT Fly540 was delighted to support the Kenyan riders who took part in this year’s Tour du Rwanda from 24 February to 3 March by offering them flights to and from the race venue. The Kenyan team were up against some of the world’s top cycling teams and knew they would have to be very tactical and give it their all. In the end, the Kenyan riders
produced some worthy results, including Suleiman Kangangi taking eighth place in the General Persons Classification and fourth in the Best African classification and John Kariuki
coming 10th in the Best Young Persons classification. The Kenyan team as a whole were placed seventh in the Team classification. Well done to all the Kenyan riders who took park in the 2019 Tour du Rwanda. It was an honour to support you all!
Trading as East African Safari Air Express Limited, our sister airline Fly-SAX will now be known as EastAfrican. So the in-flight magazine will now change its name from Fly-SAX to Fly-EA. EastAfrican is the region’s premier safari and private charter airline, based in Nairobi and operating from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and Wilson
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Africa’s low cost airline
Image courtesy of Stephen Ouma
SISTER CARRIER FLY-SAX REBRANDS TO EASTAFRICAN Airport. EastAfrican offers daily scheduled flights to the some of the best safari and beach destinations both in and around Kenya. The airline prides itself on pioneering new and previously under-served destinations‚ such as Kitale and the Comoro Islands‚ and in offering bespoke packages‚ through its private charter
service‚ that provide passengers with maximum flexibility when tailoring their travel schedule.
Images courtesy of ibis Styes hotel
AND THE WINNER IS… Congratulations to Christine Kanini Mutinda, who won a dinner for two including wine at The Talisman in our Issue 32 competition. Well done, Christine!
COMPETITION Win a stylish experience: bed and breakfast for two, plus a three-course dinner with a bottle of wine We know that Fly540 passengers love a selfie, so we’re asking you to send us your best 540 face with a copy of this magazine to be in with a chance of winning bed and breakfast for two at the ibis Styles Hotel in Nairobi including a three-course dinner with a bottle of wine.
Competition terms and conditions - Closing date is 20 July 2019 - Prize valid for redemption until 30 Nov 2019 - One entry per person - Entrants must be aged 18 or over - Prize is issued as a voucher - The organiser’s decision will be final - This competition is not open to employees or their relatives of the ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands Hotel, Fly540, Eastafrican or Land & Marine Publications Ltd.
The ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands Hotel is the first property to be opened in East Africa by the economy brand AccorHotels, taking its place alongside luxury brands such as Fairmont and Pullman. Located in the Westlands business district, the hotel guarantees business and leisure travellers and families a good night’s sleep at affordable rates. The hotel features a unique and creative design along with a first-rate team of staff members who are ready to provide guests with a memorable experience. With 277 bedrooms, the ibis Styles is one of the largest-capacity hotels in Nairobi. On the ground floor there are business facilities such as conference rooms and co-working spaces as well as a casual dining restaurant and a coffee shop.
Crowning the building are the Sky Bar and a roast house called Kilele Nyama, both offering epic views of the city and a glimpse of the countryside. As its name suggests, the hotel has a stylish, ‘feel good’ vibe: a magical experience awaits. For the lucky winner, ibis Styles Nairobi Westlands is offering a fabulous dinner for two people, including a bottle of wine, plus bed and breakfast. To be in with a chance, grab your camera or smartphone and take a selfie with this copy of 540 magazine, either on the plane or at a location of your choice, and email the image, along with your full name and booking reference, to: competition@landmarine.org. The winner will be picked at random after the competition closes on 20 July 2019 and the winning image will be featured in Issue 34 of 540 and Fly-EA magazines. Tel: +254 20 514 7500 / +254 713 120 539 / +254 20 775 7000 Email: HB065-RE@accor.com Web: www.ibisstylesnairobi.com/rooms
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AFYA Pap
The new health app taking Africa by storm Award-winning technology company Baobab Circle is using an AI-powered platform to deliver personalised management of health conditions such as diabetes and hypertension through a mobile app called Afya pap (meaning ‘health now’ in Swahili).
W MOBILE APP The app is available from the Google Play Store
ith constraints on medical services across Africa, it has become increasingly difficult for patients to see a doctor to help manage chronic conditions. To help solve this ongoing issue, Baobab Circle has developed a smartphone app known as Afya Pap. The app is designed to deliver personalised information that helps users to manage their diabetes and hypertension. Dr Precious Lunga, the chief executive and co-founder of Baobab Circle, has previously established Econet Health and launched a number of services including the EcoHealth Tips platform. The low-cost mobile application, now available in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe, interacts with users to give them detailed information and health coaching focused on nutrition, exercise and mental wellness. The app is quickly spreading across the
continent, soon to be launching in Egypt, Mozambique and elsewhere.
Health tips In addition to information about diabetes and high blood pressure, subscribers can receive daily health tips that educate users on how to lead a health lifestyle, including diet, physical activity, sexual health and mental wellness. The smart app also includes a measurement tool that allows users to retrieve and store their blood sugar and blood pressure readings. Afya Pap also explains the readings and what they mean for the patient. The app also gives the user access a whole team of nutritionists, doctors, nurses and sport scientists.
BAOBAB CIRCLE TEAM Afya Pap launch in Harare, Zimbabwe: Left to right: Tinashe (lead software developer), Spencer (head of partnerships and business development), Precious (chief executive), Isaac (marketing lead) and Paul (gheneral manager).
KEY FEATURES • Interactive health coaching around nutrition, exercise, mental wellness and medication • 24/7 link to a doctor, nutritionist and sports therapist • Subscription from US$ 1 per month Afya Pap is currently available to download from the Google Play Store or by dialling *727# on Telkom feature phones.
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Five of the best
Gems of Kenyan architecture I
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©Watamu Treehouse, Photo: HandZaround
©Watamu Treehouse, Photo: Neil Thomas
f you have a taste for beautiful architecture and want to find the best spots for that Instagram-worthy picture during your travels, then you’re in luck. 540 has handpicked five of the most wonderfully different buildings across Kenya.
Image Courtsey of Jimmy Nelson
FIVE OF THE BEST:
WATAMU TREEHOUSE, WATAMU Many local people as well as visitors flock to the regular yoga classes and retreats held at the exceptional Watamu Treehouse in the peaceful town of Watamu, on the coast about 100 km north of Mombasa. The treehouse itself is built in harmony with the lush natural surroundings of Watamu Beach and the mangrove forest that lines the coast. The handcrafted house is a peaceful haven with a focus on well-being where guests can enhance their mental, emotional and physical health. Each guest room is spacious and open with a unique architecture and decor. Owing to the individuality of the rooms, members of staff do their best to match each room to the needs of individual guests. In addition to retreats and overnight stays, Watamu Treehouse plays host to weekday yoga classes, all year round, which are open to visitors and to the local community. These classes are held in the rooftop yoga studio – the highest point in Watamu with all-round views – or in the peaceful new yoga studio in the forest. The treehouse also offers yoga classes on stand-up paddle boards for those with experience or looking for a new challenge. Guests can also experience nature at its finest on one of the treehouse’s kayak, paddle boarding or walking expeditions, or simply relax by the pool or have a massage or pedicure. There’s also a pop-up vegan restaurant at the treehouse on Wednesday and Saturday evenings (pre-booking required). Find out more at www.treehouse.co.ke
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Images Courtsey of African Heritage House
BIRD NEST Unique property in Laikipia
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Located on the wild plains of Laikipia, the Nay Palad Bird Nest is a unique and quirky safari lodge. This luxurious property has all-round views and is built parallel to a river in an area well stocked with wildlife. This creative living space is the result of a collaboration between Segera and Nay Palad, who together with architect Daniel Pouzet created this magnificent raised suite that forms part of the Segera Retreat. The avian base is ideal for a one-night stay, offering a bedroom and bathroom equipped with solarheated running water. The Bird Nest is decked out with cosy decor, scatter cushions and slatted windows. Guests who prefer to sleep in the open air can expect a bed on the upper floor. The Bird Nest is the creation of Nay Palad founder Carolin Dekeyser, her father Bobby Deskeyser and Daniel Pouzet in association with Segera founder Jochen Zeitz. Find out more at www.segera.com/nay-palad-bird-nest
AFRICA HERITAGE HOUSE, NAIROBI African Heritage House, overlooking Nairobi National Park, was designed by Alan Donovan, the American co-founder of the African Heritage Pan African Gallery, who moved to Kenya over 50 years ago. The house has a style that reflects the traditional mud architecture of Africa and features large African patterns. This style is described in ‘Architectural Digest’ as “an architecture arising from the sere Kenyan plain like an outcropping of earth, a vision of usefulness informed by the African genius for decoration”. Inside, visitors will find interesting textiles, masks, art, artefacts and crafts as well as bookstand photographs. The house is open to the public for tours, which cost about US$ 40 for up to five people. There’s an opportunity to have breakfast, lunch or dinner here, either on the rooftop or by the swimming pool. In addition, African Heritage House has luxurious rooms for guests who plan to stay overnight. Find out more at www.africanheritagehouse.info
Martin Mwaura / Shutterstock.com
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NAY PALAD BIRD NEST, LAIKIPIA
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LORD EGERTON CASTLE, NAKURU DISTRICT Lord Egerton Castle, located 14 km outside Nakuru, is a property dating from 1938. Its foundations were laid by the English aristocrat Maurice Egerton, who was granted land in Ngata near Nakuru. The architect Robert Brown designed the castle in a distinctly English style to reflect Egerton’s heritage. The castle’s impressive, well-manicured grounds provide a perfect background for picnics, weddings and events. Egerton Castle is open to visitors daily from 7 am to 1 pm and from 2 pm to 5 pm for an admission fee of about US$ 12 for adults who are non-residents with the option to go on a guided tour and learn about the castle’s rich history. Within its walls are more than 50 rooms, many of them filled with trinkets and wall mountings that tell a story. There is a small onsite canteen for visitors.
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Five of the best
5 KITENGELA HOT GLASS BY ANSELM CROZE, NAIROBI Anselm’s Hot Glass studio is located in a planetarium dome bordering Nairobi National Park. The building itself has a unique and enchanting design, like a wonderful picture in a children’s storybook. It’s easy to lose yourself for an hour or so in admiring the gardens, where blownglass ornaments hang from above, but the main attraction is inside, where you can see demonstrations of glass blowing. The studio is open to the public all day, seven days a week, with glass blowing demonstrations from 9 am to 1 pm on Sundays and Mondays and from 8 am to 4.30 pm during the rest of the week. The skilled craftsmen create blown and cast objects, make beads from recycled glass and even make chandeliers, furniture and colourful eco-friendly panels that can be used for architectural installations. Their craftwork can be purchased at a reasonable price and there is also a visitors’ café serving drinks and snacks. Find out more at www.kitengela.com
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Daniel Ndambuki All images courtesy of LaughIndustry
Daniel ‘Churchill' Ndambuki
King of Kenyan comedy ‘Churchill’ on the art of making Kenyans laugh
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Title Ndambuki Daniel
D
aniel ‘Churchill’ Ndambuki began his career in comedy back in 1996. Today he’s a household name in East Africa. He talks to 540 about his inspirations and success and launching ‘The Churchill Show’ on television. Q. Can you tell me a little about yourself? Where did you grow up? A. I was born many years ago in a place called Machakos on the outskirts of Nairobi. That’s where I started school and finished.
Q. From what age did you know you wanted to be a comedian? Did anyone inspire you? A. Inspiration to become a professional comedian came much, much later in my life. My dream was not to become a comedian; it was actually to be a footballer. Comedy came by chance. I was actually established in theatre when there was the opportunity for comedy and stand-up comedians. Lots of people have inspired me, both locally and abroad. Locally, Mr Victor Ber, Mr Ken Waudo and Sammy Mwangi. And later on for comedy TV, because at that time there was only ‘Fanya & Family’ and, of course, ‘Redykyulass’.
Q. What’s the hardest thing about your job? A. The hardest thing is that people 12
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expect you to be happy all of the time. We also have our moments; when I’m paying my KRA returns, you can be assured the look on my face isn’t a smile. But you have to compile yourself and comply. Every day as a comedian you should make people’s day, even if you’re having a bad day.
Q. What’s the most rewarding aspect of your job? A. Seeing people laugh in unison, from the person seated in VIP to those sitting in regular seats. It’s a feeling that money can’t buy.
Q. How did you come to launch ‘The Churchill Show’ in 2008? Was it an immediate success? A. There was a gap in 2008 because the trailblazers then – ‘Redykyulass’ – quit the industry to pursue their own career … and, of course, that meant a gap needed to be filled. So there was an opportunity that presented itself to me. Was it successful from the outset? No it wasn’t. It took around three seasons for people to realise actually that we
STAND-UP Churchill still gets nervous before shows.
weren’t in a hurry and we weren’t going anywhere. You can dislike us all you want but fall in love with us on the way. Turning hate critics into fans has been the biggest achievement of my life. Initially we were doing the show at the Kenya National Theatre at the Public Noise Makers and we pitched the idea to the head of content production for MTV. So they picked up the show, which ran for two seasons before being cancelled. Then from there we had a US tour that was sponsored by ‘Redykyulass’ the last time they were doing their world tour. So I happened to be doing a cameo appearance for them and there was a producer who discovered ‘Redykyulass’ at university – in terms of putting them on TV – and they became stars. When we came back from the tour we managed to launch ‘Churchill Live’ with Cinematic Solutions.
Q. How did it feel to be rated number seven in Kenya’s 100 Most Influential People list? A. It came as a big surprise as there are so many people that I look up to. I think, thank God for that, I didn’t know that [would happen].
Q. Who does your fan base consist of mostly? A. Families. ‘The Churchill Show’ is a family brand for everyone from politicians to mothers.
Q. Do you have an international following? A. I’d like to believe yes I do, but in a way we have kind of held back on that. It’s part of our plan; we haven’t done big tours abroad, just small ones in the US and the UK on a personal level. In terms of taking ‘The Churchill Show’ on an international level, this is what we are building on. Firstly we are starting in Africa, then in five years’ time we hope to launch material for the international market. First we must concentrate on conquering the local market.
Q. Which of your jokes prove to be most popular?
course, the digital front is growing as well as shows such as Netflix. So when these types of TV channels start absorbing local content in Africa, revenues will increase and you’ll see more concentration and even better production, which I think will then help sell the comedy elsewhere in the world.
Q. Any words for aspiring comedians? A. Make sure you are serious about jokes. It’s a serious business.
Q. Do you still get stage freight?
A. Jokes about families, perspectives and observations.
A. Every day. I have a special doctor to help remove butterflies from my stomach before I go on stage [laughs].
Q. What’s the comedy scene like in Kenya?
Q. Tell me about the Churchill Academy.
A. It’s only just beginning to blossom and so it needs to be given time. We’re way behind in comparison to America and South Africa. But it’s an industry that’s enjoying its renaissance – we are just beginning. In the next five or 10 years the landscape will have completely changed. I thank God that the ministry have embraced stand-up comedy. In the next few years I think we’ll have a different class of people performing comedy differently. Right now Kenya is only able to pull acts from a small number of people – comedy has only just begun. Of
A. It doesn’t take the form of a building – it’s a mentorship. The difference with our academy is that you don’t have to pay to join. Actually you give up being part of the academy because they have to monitor your progress, your seriousness and your commitment to the course and that’s why we call it an academy. How you excel is how your audience appreciate you there and how you start gaining numbers in social media and also with your endorsement working with other brands.
CHURCHILL Daniel Ndambuki began his career as a comedian back in 1996.
???
Q. Where do you go for inspiration? A. The Bible, to God and to Jesus. That’s my inspiration.
Q. What are your future plans? A. To retire happily knowing there’s an established industry where we have better people in comedy.
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Kenya Open
Image credit: Karen Country Club
All images courtesy of Kenya Magical Open
Kenya Open back in the big time
T CELEBRATIONS Karen Country Club
his year, for the very first time, the Kenya Open Golf Championship joined the main PGA European Tour – a multi-milliondollar cavalcade that in 2019 will stage events in 28 countries outside the Americas. Played in March this year at the exclusive Karen Country Club (on occasions in the past it has also been staged at the Muthaiga Golf Club), the Magical Kenya Open Presented by Absa attracted professionals from far and wide as well as
a sprinkling of Kenya’s top players. This uprating of the event is a personal feather in the cap for the Hon. Najib Balala, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, who has personally backed its elevation to the main tour. It’s a shot in the arm, too, for the local game as well as, hopefully, for the tourism sector. European tour events receive pretty much wall-to-wall coverage by the Golf Channel as well as by global networks such as Sky Sports and SuperSport. So, lots of worldwide publicity for
Kenya – but at what cost? The total prize money of €1.1 million was not quite up there with the cash splashed around for many other PGA European Tour events and so, unfortunately, some of the game’s star names were absent. Inside the world’s top 50 the South African golfer Justin Harding was the highest-ranked player in the tournament.
New event But it can take a while to establish a new tour event in the minds of www.fly540.com
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JamesOpen Kenya Wakibia
CHAMPION Guido Migliozzi.
professionals, so this was a good start and Kenya can hope for bigger and better things next time – especially if the total prize money is increased and with continued sponsorship from Absa.
Interest Kenya Open Golf Ltd Tournament Director, Patrick Obath, said: “We were pleased with the level of interest the tournament was able to elicit among top players from our key tourism source markets including Europe, Japan, Korea, India and South Africa. The level of golf played over the four days of the tournament was evidence of the level of players we had attracted.” 16
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This year’s event was won by the largely unknown Italian player Guido Migliozzi, who as a result of his triumph has moved up into the world’s top 200. Sadly, the event has never been won by a Kenyan, but in 2017 England’s Aaron Rai was victorious. Rai has strong family ties with East Africa because his mother was born in Kenya. Twenty Kenyans (14 pros and six elite amateurs) did qualify for the event and it was a little disappointing that collectively they did not perform well. Thika Golf Club’s Simon Ngige was the bestplaced local player, finishing in tied 25th spot and winning €10,615 for
his fine effort. The winner, by the way, pocketed a handy €183,330. Justus Madoya, who plays at Great Rift Valley Lodge and Golf Resort, was the only other Kenyan to make the 36-hole cut (and any prize money), coming home in 72nd place.
Safari tour The Kenya Open dates from 1967. In those days it was a key event on what was known as the safari tour – a chance for European players to compete for prize money in a handful of African competitions when the weather at home was less than perfect for golf and before Dubai, Abu Dhabi and
ABSA WILL BE HEADLINE SPONSOR Absa has signed a two-year sponsorship with the Kenya Open Golf Limited so the bank will still be part of the tournament as a headline sponsor in 2020. The Government, through the Kenya Tourism Board and Sports Kenya, will continue to support the tournament for a further three years.
KAREN OR MUTHAIGA FOR 2020?
Doha fulfilled this role. Sadly, this fondly remembered Africa swing petered out in the 1980s. Since then, Kenya had spent the last 27 years cast to the outer fringes of the satellite European Challenge Tour. Gone are the heady days when the Kenya Open hosted and was won by the likes of legendary Spaniard Save Ballesteros and Welshman Ian Woodsman, both of whom went on to win the prestigious US Masters, perhaps the most sought-after of the game’s four ‘majors’. South African player Trevor Immelman also won the Kenya Open in 2000 when competing on the Challenge
Tour and, like Ballesteros and Woodsman, went on to win the Masters eight years later. So, Kenya has a long and proud history of being an early proving ground for some of the world’s best golfers. And you never know, we may one day see Guido Migliozzi picking up one of golf’s top prizes – even a coveted Master’s green jacket. Better still, and within easier reach, would be for Simon Ngige to eventually join the main European or PGA Tours and really fly the flag for Kenya. But he’ll need a few more top-25 finishes or better before he can begin to dream of doing so.
Patrick Obath explains how and why the Kenya Open Golf Limited chooses who hosts the Kenya Open: “There are challenges in almost all golf clubs in Kenya, including both Karen and Muthaiga, in not having the minimum length of driving range required of 400 yards. Muthaiga also has a severe access restriction between the two nines, which we believe is being attended to. “On this basis, the Karen Country Club offered the best option in that it had more space to put up spectator infrastructure, the village, parking, etc. It also had high-class hotels nearby for the players. All these considerations made Karen a natural choice. Karen will have additional challenges next year and we are in discussion with several clubs, including Karen, as to which one will offer the best proposal to host the 2020 competition.”
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Turkana
By Harriet James All images courtesy of Harriet James
Vivid experiences in cradle of mankind
JESUS The Redeemer statue in Lodwar.
F
or the longest time I desired to discover this cradle of mankind and when the Kenya Tourism Board contacted me for the trip, I took the chance to see what Turkana holds. Despite the fact that the county has been known in the recent past as ‘shamba la mawe’ (‘stone field’), I was amazed at the different forms of travel that one can experience in this place. Whether it’s an archaeological experience,
a wildlife safari, birdwatching or simply relaxing on the beach – Turkana has it all. Here are some of the interesting things you can do on a visit to this region.
Meet your ancestors The debate on the origin of mankind has never ceased, but the famous fossil known as Turkana Boy (or Nariokotome Boy) seems to have the answers. The remnants of this boy were discovered in 1984 on the shore of Lake Turkana www.fly540.com
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Turkana Title
and the skeleton is said to be 1.6 million years old. After a five-hour drive through the rugged terrain, we finally arrived at the monumental pillar and a brass replica of the Turkana Boy. The fossil was detected by Kamoya Kimeu, a researcher in Dr Richard Leakey’s scientific team. This is not the only place in Turkana where significant hominid findings have been found. The earliest known stone tools, some 3.5 million years old, were discovered at another location, reinforcing the theory that Turkana is, indeed, the cradle of mankind.
Relaxing beaches at Eliye Springs A small resort 50 km east of Lodwar, the laid-back Eliye Springs is a great place to unwind. With its endless palm-fringed sand beaches and its panoramic views of Lake Turkana, this is a place of breathtaking beauty. The lake is fed by the rivers Kerio, Turkwel and Omo; but it lacks an outflow and loses its water through evaporation. The lake is life for the people of this village, governing most of their affairs just as the ocean does in coastal towns. Don’t forget to try the fingerlicking tilapia served at some of the restaurants by the lake, as well as the hot ugali with a little bit of kachumbari.
Take a boat to Central Island Lake Turkana can get rough at times, putting a halt to activities, but the heavens smiled on us that day and we were able to take a speedboat ride to Central Island National Park, one of the gems of the region. This volcanic island grows out of the water in the middle of the lake. There are three crater lakes in Central Island. One is known for its tilapia fish, another has thousands of flamingos and the third is a breeding ground for crocodiles. You have to climb to the 20
Africa’s low cost airline
top to see the lake, so it’s important to wear comfortable shoes. Though we didn’t do this, you can pitch a tent and stay overnight and enjoy the spectacular sunrises and sunsets. You can go further to Sibiloi National Park, home to significant archaeological sites.
Visit the fishing town of Kalokol Taking its name from a Turkana word meaning ‘lots of fish’, Kalokol is the centre of fishing activities in the county. The region is hot, dry and dusty, permitting only restricted pastoral activities and business development. The town has grown significantly thanks to its flourishing fish industry, which has provided jobs for the youth. The catch is either sold fresh, dried or processed and ferried to distant markets like Rwanda and the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. I loved mingling with the friendly locals, who told me about the town and about their way of life.
Visit Kenyatta House/ Lodwar Museum This house is a landmark of Kenya’s struggle against British imperialism. It served as a detention camp for five of the Kapenguria Six – including Jomo Kenyatta – who served their sentence in Lokitaung prison. Kenyatta was detained in Lodwar under house arrest soon after he
was released from prison in 1959. The building was granted museum status to preserve this piece of Kenyan history.
View Lodwar from Christ the Redeemer statue REPLICA Turkana Boy fossil.
Towering conspicuously on one of the many hills overlooking Lodwar town, this figure of Jesus Christ with arms spread apart – inspired by the one in Rio de Janeiro – is a landmark in Turkana County. The journey to the top of the hill isn’t easy, but it does provide wonderful views of the town. The statue is at the top of a sanctuary that stands for the Way of the Cross – the 14-step Catholic devotion in memory of Christ’s last day on earth as a man. It is said that the late president enjoyed spending time here while on detention in Lodwar.
SIGN This sign stands on the hill near the Jesus monument.
Buy a basket at the market The women of Turkana are industrious and it’s great to watch them work intricately with colourful beads and reeds. For some women, this has provided a way out of poverty. Be sure to visit the town and see the women weaving their baskets – and you can purchase one, too. www.fly540.com
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Title Cusine Indian
By Joan Wandegi
Indian cuisine at its most delicious
‘E
ldore’, meaning ‘stony river’ in the Maa language, is how Eldoret, in western Kenya, was named. Eldoret is Kenya’s fifth-largest city. Since time immemorial it has been a centre of agriculture whose produce is distributed across the country. The dining experiences in this melting pot of different cultures can be robust – representative of the different peoples who have passed recipes down the generations. If you’re looking to get a good fill of authentic Indian cuisine here, look no further than Sains Indian Restaurant, on Uhuru Street, and Kitchen Service, not far from the city centre. Perhaps the reason why the food in both these restaurants is worth getting excited about is that it’s unpretentious, executed with precision according to family recipes and served in
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unpretentious surroundings. This, of course, will not come as a shock to regular visitors to this bustling Kenyan county in the Rift Valley, but there has been a notable-sized Indian population here from not-so-recent times who continue to influence the food scene.
VEGETABLE PAKORAS Made with potato and onions.
when one or two of the owners are around, you’ll get to hear tales from the restaurant’s past that add to the family-centric ambience of the place.
Sains Restaurant Sains Restaurant is located in an old Members’ Club with seasoned wooden floors and a large dining area complemented by friendly staff. The bar serves basic liquors, local and some international beers as well as an assortment of juices and fizzy drinks. But the bar isn’t the highlight of this place. The menu is simple and fresh. Favourites such as butter chicken and fish tikka masala as well as freshly baked naan bread, roasted papadums and an impressive vegetarian section are on offer. If you’re lucky enough to be present
NAAN BREAD Freshly baked at Sains Restaurant.
Kitchen Service Kitchen Service offers a different experience and is located on a large compound with spectacularly large trees. Immediately you walk in, you can smell freshly roasting spices and sauces cooking away in the outdoor kitchen, where the enthusiastic staff are always on good theatrical form. Patrons can choose from one of the many rustic bangdas that suit both small and large groups. Highly recommended here are the barbecued meats, which are marinated overnight, roasted to perfection and served with an assortment of sides including bhajis and freshly made flatbread. All side sauces are made in house from locally sourced ingredients. And don’t worry if the menu and options look intimidating. Kitchen Service's knowledgeable staff will take you through the menu and are quite helpful if you don’t know your way around the various Indian dishes. Kitchen Service will take you through the menu and are quite helpful if you don’t know your way around the different Indian dishes.
POPULAR DISH ď ś Chicken tikka masala.
www.fly540.com
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Sheffield Steel Advertising Feature
Mobile and containerised business solutions What comes to mind when you think of a truck, trailer, cart or shipping container? Means of transport? How about as an idea for a food and beverage or laundry business?
S
heffield Africa offers an innovative twist by using cargo spaces as mobile business facilities – not with the aim of transporting people but rather of bringing food and hygiene solutions closer to the people. Sheffield’s expertise lies in turning these often underused spaces into innovative, income-generating facilities. Thanks to the quality of equipment used, these facilities will stand the test of time. Sheffield re-engineers the cargo area of midsized trucks and trailers into mini kitchens and converts push-carts and bicycles into mini snack shops. Whether the client is looking to supplement his existing restaurant – or wants to start up a new one but can’t decide on a location – a mobile kitchen can be a lucrative solution. One of the many advantages of a mobile facility is its use as a moving billboard that will always attract attention. Sheffield’s exclusivity comes at the fabrication stage, where it installs the cooking equipment into the truck or container and assists the client with the concept, 3D
Sheffield will be showcasing these solutions at its Open House event later this year, at which participants will be able to experience live demos of all their containerised and mobile business facilities.
design, fabrication, installation and even training of personnel who will use the equipment. After the client’s food truck is up and running, Sheffield offers an after-sales service. Its resident technicians are just a call away for servicing of equipment.
POP-UP Containerised Restaurant.
Notable projects Some of the facilities made by Sheffield include Nairobi’s popular gourmet burger food truck and trendy containerised restaurant, Mama Rocks, and Java’s express outlets and outdoor coffee trailer. Another product offered by Sheffield is the containerised laundromat: a laundry shop in a shipping container, fitted with coin-operated washers and dryers. One of these laundromats is now in use by the KCB Foundation. Other design build solutions by Sheffield include a containerised dishwasher unit for the Ministry of Defence. Sheffield caters to the requirements of innovative entrepreneurs and growth-driven business owners. Its solutions promise to spark the interest of most investors. The company is driven by innovative ideas leading to mobile and containerised business solutions. As a partner to creative entrepreneurs, hotels and laundry businesses, Sheffield continues to grow by challenging itself to come up with new concepts that enable its clients to explore and expand their boundaries.
MOBILE Mama Rocks Gourmet Burger Food Truck.
LAUNDROMAT Fully equipped Containerised Laundromat.
IN NUMBERS Over 8,000 kitchen installations across Africa. More than 1,000 training demo sessions, 200 innovative concepts including containerised and mobile solutions, 100 laundry installations, 50 cold room installations. Representing over 40 international brands. A pan-African company based in Nairobi, Kenya, and providing one-stop solutions.
www.fly540.com
25
SLEEP OVER
Nairobi Serena Hotel
Iconic property gets a fresh new look
T
he newly renovated Nairobi Serena Hotel was reopened to the public on 1 September last year following the first phase of a two-step refurbishment. This refurbishment is being carried out by Serena Hotels to enable the five-star property to stay abreast of global trends and to confirm its status as a member of Leading Hotels of the World. The Nairobi Serena Hotel is a 30-minute drive from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and a five-minute drive from the city 26
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centre. The refurbishment, which was announced in December 2016, is being managed in two stages. The now-completed first phase involved the renovation of the north wing, while the second phase, due for completion in June this year, focuses on revamping the south wing.
Upgraded rooms The north wing now has 95 upgraded rooms, consisting of four executive suites, seven deluxe twin rooms and 84 deluxe rooms. The rooms have improved
SPA PRODUCTS ď ˛ The on-site spa uses Elemis products
windows and enhanced fire, security and safety systems in compliance with international standards. Other modern features include new high-speed lifts, energy-efficient mood lighting and state-of-the-art air conditioning. The interior furnishings have been updated to match the modern amenities, while retaining the rich earthy tones and handcrafted mahogany wood interiors for which the Serena brand is known. There is also a brand-new executive lounge on the seventh floor with two private meeting
By Amy Laubach All images courtesy of Serena Hotels
AMENITIES AND SERVICES • Wi-Fi • Digital safe • LCD flat-screen TV • 24-hour room service • Laundry services • Valet services rooms. The whole floor has spectacular views of the city’s skyline, allowing guests to host meetings in style. The hotel now also features a 450 person capacity ballroom. The room is fitted with state-of-the-art audiovisual equipment and it can be partitioned into two separate rooms for smaller functions and events.
Refitted lobby Front-of-house updates include a refitted lobby and parking for up to 120 cars including VIP and
disabled parking. In November, the hotel opened a fusion restaurant to complement its existing food and drink facilities at the all-day Café Maghreb restaurant, the Mandhari fine dining restaurant and the Aksum Bar. The second phase of the refurbishment is already well underway, with the rennovation of the swimming pool complete.
• Shoeshine services
Facilities • Heated swimming pool • Spa and health club • Patisserie • Boutique • Four bar and restaurants • Gift shop To find out more or to book your stay, visit www.serenahotels.com
www.fly540.com
27
Next Issue
Next Issue Look out for the next issue of 540 where we will take a look inside The Charming Lonno Lodge located in Watamu, Kenya.
Issue 34
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DRIVE TIME
RAV4
All images courtesy of Toyota By Gary Gimson
Better-but still nothing to RAV about
T
his year Toyota is launching its fifthgeneration RAV4. The compact SUV has been with us since 1994. Sad to say that, during its previous four incarnations, the RAV4 has seen a steady and unhappy slide from the status of industry trendsetter to one where the SUV had become expensive, oddly misshapen and, quite frankly, no longer able to cut it with the competition. As it was, the styling of the outgoing model had received mixed reviews with some wellnigh unprintable comments about the car’s idiosyncratic rear
end – all of which had no doubt contributed to its declining sales. So, does this new model reverse the RAV4’s inexorable fall into mediocrity and address the stylistic shortcomings of the recent past? The short answer is probably no, but it’s certainly much better looking than its predecessor.
Lexus hint The latest RAV4 certainly has sharper edges and there is a hint of the Lexus RX 450h both back and front. Yet ‘unexciting’ is the only word to describe Toyota’s latest offering and it does not compare with the automaker’s brilliant C-HR.
SHARPER It's no C-HR.
Nor do the ride, handling or refinement do anything to offset the SUV’s less-than-film-star looks. Worldwide and depending on engine choice, the RAV4 will be available with diesel, petrol and hybrid power as well as with frontwheel drive, four-wheel drive and automatic or manual gearboxes. In East Africa, when bought new, this range will be somewhat more limited when the car goes on sale here later this year. www.fly540.com
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DRIVE TIME
RAV4 Sharing its Toyota New Generation Architecture (TNGA) platform with the aforementioned CH-R and the overrated Prius, the RAV4 will introduce a 2.5-litre petrolelectric hybrid system. Improved all-wheel-drive performance is the result, along with enhanced fuel economy – all due to the rear wheels being powered exclusively by an electric motor.
predecessor and should be less prone to unwelcome body lean. The new RAV4 comes in Icon (front-wheel drive only), Design, Dynamic and Excel trims. It’s pretty well equipped, with 17-inch alloy wheels, parking sensors, a rear-view camera, an eight-inch touchscreen, a seven-inch driver’s information display and LED headlights. The Design model can be specified with four-wheel drive and has 18-inch wheels, keyless entry, a powered tailgate and front parking sensors. Step up to Excel and you get heated seats (probably not needed in East Africa),
Appeal The TNGA platform is claimed to have greater driver appeal. Thanks to the stiffer structure and more evenly distributed weight, the new model has a lower centre of gravity than its
SPACIOUS CABIN Powered tailgate.
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a power-adjustable driver’s seat, full leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel (ditto), power door mirrors and a range of additional safety features. The ‘sporty’ Dynamic, meanwhile, has different wheels and adds sports seats, a two-tone metallic paint finish and a black headliner to the Design trim. On the plus side, the seats and cabin are deceptively spacious. And there’s a fair amount of room around the rear bench, which splits 60/40 to increase luggage space from 580 litres to a total of 1,690 litres, with a false floor, luggage nets and tie-down
All images courtesy of Toyota
By Gary Gimson
eyes as standard and with a powered tailgate on all but the base model. All in all, if you want a midsized SUV, there are more compelling alternatives to the RAV4 already out there. And in a crowded market the Mazda CX-5 takes a lot of beating and is better value for money at time of purchase, if not quite so good over a prolonged period of ownership.
All in all, if you want a midsized SUV, there are more compelling alternatives to the RAV4 already out there
www.fly540.com
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SUPPER CLUB
The Grilll Shack
Delicious Dubai-style food hits Nairobi With its roots in Dubai, the Grilll Shack offers an American-style menu in the style of a casual dining setting. As of 6 February, the chain has now made its debut in Africa, with its first restaurant opening at Westgate Mall in Nairobi.
T
his eatery is simply a meat lovers’ paradise, offering customers a delightfully meaty menu of burgers, steaks and ribs in a casual setting. The original restaurant is based in Dubai’s largest shopping mall and its popularity is likely to be matched in Kenya, where the growing demand for casual food eateries has resulted in the recent opening. The Grilll Shack offers flavours from across the world with strong influences of American cuisine, promising hungry customers a unique dining experience of signature dishes using Kenyan ingredients. Starters include chicken wings, crispy salt and pepper calamari and peri peri prawns. Among popular main dishes are the tasty chargrilled half chicken basted in the chef’s secret spices recipe, the barbecue beef ribs marinated in a delicious sauce and The Double Cheese – two 200-gram pure Angus beef burgers with lettuce, tomato, caramelised onion, cocktail sauce and melted cheese.
Mouthwatering steaks The menu contains various mouthwatering steaks, all sourced from Kenya. Options include a 300-gram specially matured sirloin steak and a 500-gram T-bone that includes two cuts in one, both a sirloin and a fillet. Each dish is 32
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served with a sauce and a side of your choice – mukimo, garlic rice and fries to name a few.
Toothsome desserts To end the meal on a sweet note, The Grilll Shack offers toothsome desserts like sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream and butterscotch sauce as well as the chocolate brownie. Treats also include thick milkshakes like the Chocolate Cookie – a chocolate milkshake topped with Oreo cookies and chocolate chips – as well as the Caramel Popcorn topped with salted pretzels and popcorn. The eatery also serves fresh juices made from scratch as well as a number of delicious cocktails, teas and coffees. The restaurant has an industrial theme, featuring metal dishes, wiring and an exposed ceiling to create an eye-catching setting at Westgate Mall. The open-style kitchen is in line with the transparency trend that is currently taking the restaurant scene by storm. It
COMBOS Farmhouse Grill
Among popular main dishes are the tasty chargrilled half chicken basted in the chef’s secret spices recipe
allows customers to witness the cleanliness of the Grilll Shack and the high-quality ingredients that go into its meals. It also allows the chefs to show off their delicious dishes and provides excitement for hungry eyes while diners wait for their food. Grilll Shack hopes its recent move into the African market will provide Nairobi with unique and tasty food based on delicious recipes from Dubai. The new restaurant will compete with the likes of Urban Burger and Mama Rocks.
To find out more visit: www.thegrilllshackkenya.co.ke
All images courtesy of The Grilll Shack
By Amy Laubach
TEMPTING STARTERS Peri Peri Prawns
STARTER Cheetos Chicken Tenders
JUICY BURGERS The House Burger
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GADGETS
BEST SMART WATCHES FOR FITNESS FANATICS SUUNTO 9 BARO
GARMIN TACTIX CHARLIE GPS
This ultra-smart tech piece is designed to meet the needs of athletes and fitness fanatics. The watch is packed with key features including built-in GPS navigation, multiple weather functions and over 80 sport and discipline modes. It has an integrated heart rate wrist monitor and an atmospheric pressure sensor, ideal for fitness training. The Suunto 9 Baro has multiple battery modes to fit with different activity needs. If workout sessions go on longer than normal, it will recommend switching to powersaving mode. Battery modes will last for between 25 and 120 hours. For users who like to climb, the watch is able to track altitude thanks to a barometric and GPS altimeter. The Suunto 9 Baro pairs with the Suunto app for smartphones to track all the user’s adventures and follow trends including daily activity and sleep. The app gives you the option to share your greatest achievements and connect with others in the app community. The watch is lightweight with a silicone strap and is water resistant to 100 metres.
The Tactix Charlie watch from Garmin is a military-grade GPS watch designed using top materials and multiple functions. It can analyse your sleep and calculate distance during training sessions and it comes with tactical features like JumperMaster, dual position format and waypoint projection. The smartwatch face will display the user’s steps, calories burned, distance travelled and heart rate as well as sleep behaviour. It will also link with a smartphone to notify you of calls, emails, texts and other alerts. The watch is water resistant to 100 metres. It has 16 GB of built-in memory and a screen that is easy to view in sunlight. This watch is perfect for golfers, as it comes with details of thousands of golf courses. It has automatic free map updates and is able to keep track of your score. It features wellness monitoring tools such as stress tracking and a relaxation time. The Garmin Tactix Charlie has a rugged and durable design with a black Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coated titanium bezel, black titanium rear cover and stainless-steel buttons plus a heart rate monitoring wrist strap.
Price: From US$ 599
Price: US$ 749
FITBIT VERSA SMART This version of the Fitbit comes in a variety of colours. It features a builtin NFC chip that allows owners to use their credit and debit cards on the go and pay through their watch. The watch can track steps taken, heart rate, distance, calories burned, floors climbed, active minutes, hourly activity and stationary time. Bluetooth means music can be listened to wire-free with compatible Bluetooth headphones, while smart tracking technology automatically records selected exercises and saves them in the Fitbit app available for smartphones. The battery life is more than four days, while personalised on-screen workouts are designed to coach users through each move and to adapt to the individual’s feedback. Ideal for swimmers, the Fitbit Versa is water resistant to 50 metres and will track laps, duration and calories burned during swim workouts. Price: US$ 199
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Africa’s low cost airline
ENTERTAINMENT
Watch. Read. Listen. MOVIES AVENGERS: ENDGAME
TOY STORY 4 Director: Josh Cooley Starring: Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, Tony Hale Genre: Animated
Director: Anthony Russo, Joe Russo Starring: Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr. Genre: Fantasy/Science Fiction ‘Avengers: Endgame’ is an upcoming superhero film based on the Marvel Comics superhero team The Avengers. In the movie, the world is in ruins after the devastating events of ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ (2018). With the help of allies, The Avengers come together one last time to undo Thanos’s action and restore the world. This movie is a direct sequel to ‘Avengers: Infinity War’, part of the same franchise as ‘The Avengers’ (2012) and ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ (2015).
In the fourth instalment of the Toy Story movies, Woody (Hanks) knows that his priority in the world is taking care of his owner, whether that is Bonnie or Andy. So when Bonnie’s new toy, Forky (Hale), thinks of himself as ‘trash’ and not a toy, Woody makes it his mission to teach Forky how to embrace being a toy. When Bonnie takes her toys on a road trip, Woody ends up on a detour that involves reuniting with his long-lost girlfriend, Bo Peep. Given Bo’s adventurous spirit, the pair are worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy – but they soon realise this is the least of their worries.
STARS: 3.5/5
STARS: 4/5
BOOKS WHERE THE FOREST MEETS THE STARS
THE RESCUE
BY STEVEN KONKOLY
BY GLENDY VANDERAH
Genre: Thriller Mercenary for hire Ryan Decker specialises is rescuing kidnap victims. He is hired by a United States senator to rescue her daughter from a human-trafficking ring, but things take a turn for the worse and he ends up taking the fall and being sentenced to 10 years in a federal prison. He suspects another set-up and a private investigator agrees. The next move in a nationwide cat-and-mouse game is set up for Decker. Driven by an obsession to clear his name, he sets out to destroy a toxic conspiracy before it’s too late.
Genre: Modern fiction After Joanna Teale loses her mother and has her own battle with cancer, she returns to her graduate research on the nesting of birds in rural Illinois, determined to prove she is undefeated by her recent events. Throwing herself into her work, Joanna is disturbed by a child who shows up at her cabin claiming she was sent from the stars to witness five miracles. Enlisting the help of her neighbour to determine the mystery of this child, the three form a strong bond. As time runs out for the child, all their painful secrets will be forced into the open and their fates left to the stars.
STARS: 4.5/5
STARS: 4/5
MUSIC LEGACY! LEGACY! BY JAMILA WOODS
CALIFORNIA SON
Genre: R&B/Soul
Genre: Alternative/Indie
BY MORRISSEY
‘Legacy! Legacy!’ is Woods’s first full project since 2016’s album ‘HEAVN’. The album includes her latest single, ‘ZORA’, a song inspired by the words of Zora Neale Hurston that encourages listeners to break free from stereotypes and assumptions. Each track on the album is named after an influential figure such as Eartha Kitt, Jean-Michel Basquiat and Octavia Butler. The new album from the Chicago-born singer and poet features 13 songs with contributions by Saba, theMIND, Nitty Scott and many more.
STARS: 4/5
Former Smiths frontman Morrissey is releasing his own album titled ‘California Son’, where he takes on a number of tracks from the 60s and 70s including ‘Only a Pawn in Their Game’ by Bob Dylan and ‘It’s Over’ by Roy Orbison. The album, which follows on from Morrissey’s recent covers of The Pretenders’ ‘Back On the Chain Gang’, sees the American singer-songwriter team up with the likes of Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong, Petra Haden, Lydia Night of The Regrettes and LP.
STARS: 3/5 www.fly540.com
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Network Map
The Fly540 Network
SOUTH SUDAN
Kisumu
LINE AIR
Lodwar
S LOW COS A IC
T
AF R
Juba
BO
wwwOK ONLINE .fly54 AT: 0.co m
Eldoret
KENYA Nairobi
Lamu Malindi
Mombasa
Zanzibar
TANZANIA
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Contacts
Contact Information
Fly540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS NAIROBI OFFICES
WILSON AIRPORT
MALINDI
540 SAFARI CIRCUIT SALES
HEAD OFFICE
Ground Floor, Langata House Tel: +254 (0)20 254 0206 Tel: +254 (0)729 540 540 Tel: +254 (0)735 540 540 Email: 540.safaris@fly540.com
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
Baycourt Upper Floor, Suite 3&4 The Watermark Business Park Ndege Rd, Karen PO Box 10293-00100,Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)20 388 3060-2 Fax: +254 (0)20 388 3063
WESTERN HEIGHTS 540/SAX Ground Floor, Western Heights, Karuna Road PO Box 10293 Tel: +254 (0)722 540 540; 733 540 540; 710 540 540
INTERNATIONAL HOUSE OFFICE
KENYA OFFICES ELDORET 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
1st Floor, Metro Towers Building Next to Safaricom Customer Care Oginga Odinga Street Eldoret Sales: +254 (0)736 540 540 Tel: +254 (0)53 203 3570/80; +254 (0)735 540 547
Ground Floor, International Life House, Mama Ngina Street Next to Hilton Hotel Tel: +254 (0)702 540 540
ELDORET INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
JOMO KENYATTA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT
Tel: +254 (0)53 203 0814 Tel: +254 (0)53 206 3823 ext 658
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE
Unit 3 (Domestic Departures) Tel: +254 (0)20 827 523; +254 (0)20 827 366 Cell: +254 (0)727 532 273 Unit 1 (International Departures) Tel: +254 (0)20 827 521
LAICO REGENCY HOTEL 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
Mezz. Floor, Shopping Arcade Tel: +254 (0)20 224 3211/3/4 Cell: +254 727 540 540; (0)737 540 540 Fax: +254 (0)20 224 3219
NAIROBI CBD OFFICE Ground Floor International House, Nairobi Tel: +254 (0)712 540 540; 0735 540 555; 0717 305 305; 0703 305 305 Email: bookings@fly540.com or bookings@fly-sax.com
NEW MUTHAIGA OFFICE 1st Floor, Thigiri Mall, New Muthaiga Tel: +254 (0)703 540 540
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE
KISUMU 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
Kisumu International Airport Tel: +254 (0)254 707 540 560 Tel: +254 (0)737 540 546 1st Floor, West End Mall Next to Uchumi Supermarket Achieng Aneko Road Tel: +254 (0)704 540 540; +254 (0)724 563 009; +254 (0)734 540 550
KITALE 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
Terminal Building, Kitale Airstrip Tel: +254 (0)770 639 429 Tel: +254 (0)724 457 374 Tel: +254 (0)735 540 547
Oasis Mall, Next to Mario's Restaurant, Lamu Road, Malindi Tel: +254 (0)422 120 370
MOMBASA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE
Ground Floor, Mombasa Trade Centre, Nkrumah Road Tel: +254 (0)41 231 9078/9 Cell: +254 (0)728 540 540; (0)710 540 540
MOI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT, MOMBASA Tel: +254 (0)41 343 4821 Tel: +254 (0)32 540 540; (0)722 555 730
UKUNDA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
SOUTH SUDAN JUBA 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE Juba International Airport
Tel: +211 959 540540 Tel: +211 999 540540 Email: Sales.juba@fly540.com
REPRESENTATIVE OFFICES GERMANY AVIAREPS AG Kaiserstrasse 77 60329 Frankfurt am Main RESERVATIONS
Tel: +49 (0)69 770 673 076 Fax: +49 (0)69 770 673 028 Email: Res540.FRA@aviareps.com SALES
Ground Floor, Bazaar Building Tel: +254 (0)732 540 559
Tel: +49 (0) 69 770 673 077 Fax: +49 (0)69 770 673 235 Email: sales540.FRA@aviareps.com
TANZANIA
SOUTH AFRICA
DAR ES SALAAM
AVIAREPS (PTY) LTD
IT Plaza, Mezzanine Floor Ohio Street/Garden Avenue PO Box 8606 Tel: +255 (0)222 110 601; +255 (0)759 306 306; +255 (0)765 306 306
38 Wierda Road West Wierda Valley Sandton, Johannesburg
ZANZIBAR AIRPORT
SALES
540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS OFFICE
Tel: +255 762 540 540
RESERVATIONS
Tel: +27 (0) 11 722 0229 Fax: +27 (0) 11 783 8135 Email: Res540.JNB@aviareps.com Tel: +27 (0) 722 0229 Tel: +27 74 177 1596 Fax: +27 (0) 783 8135 Email: Sales540.JNB@aviareps.com
LAMU 540 TICKETING & RESERVATIONS
Seafront House Kenyatta Road Next to KPLC Tel: +254 (0)742 540 540; +254 (0)742 305 305
www.fly540.com
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Travel Info
Travel Information VISA INFORMATION Most nationals require visas to enter East Africa. Citizens from the five East African states require no visas while those from the Common Market of East and Southern Africa (COMESA) member states have relaxed entry requirements into East Africa. However, East African member states have their own visa requirements for various nationals.
HEALTH Vaccination requirements for international travellers: • Only valid yellow fever vaccination certificates are required of all travellers over one year old, arriving from yellow fever infected countries. • Vaccinations for international travellers are obtainable from all international air and sea ports, city and major municipal councils.
INSPIRING CAPTIVATING INFORMATIVE Multi-platform publishing and design services
For further information please contact:
Land & Marine Publications Tel: +44 (0)1206 752902 Email: info@landmarine.org
www.landmarine.org 38
Africa’s low cost airline
KENYAN VISAS Under new rules, all foreigners requiring a visa for entry into Kenya must apply for one in advance via www.ecitizen.go.ke. A visa is required by all visitors travelling to Kenya with the exception of those who are nationals of a number of countries, including – but not exclusive to – East African Community Partner States (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, United Republic of Tanzania and Uganda). • Multiple entry: US$100 • East Africa Visa: US$100 (for travel between Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda) • Single entry: US$50 • Transit Visa: US$20 Persons aged 16 years and below will require a visa to enter Kenya. Diplomatic, Official, Service and Courtesy visas will continue to be issued Gratis. For more information, please visit your relevant Kenya High Commission website.
SOUTH SUDAN VISAS Any visitor going to South Sudan requires a valid visa. Citizens of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Botswana can get visas upon arrival. Diplomats and officials with special passports are also given visas on arrival, and UN staff are given visas on arrival providing that they have an approval letter from the South Sudan Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other nationalities must acquire referred visas or process for an entry permit in order to enter South Sudan. Fees: • American Nationals: US$ 160 • African and Asian Nationals: US$ 50 • European Nationals: US$ 100 • All other passports assessed accordingly
TANZANIAN VISAS All foreigners from non-Commonwealth countries are required to have a valid visa unless their countries have agreements with Tanzania under which the visa requirement is waived Exemptions: Citizens of Commonwealth countries are not required to obtain visas unless they are citizens of the United Kingdom, Canada, Nigeria, India, Pakistan, South Africa, New Zealand or Australia. Tanzanian visas are issued at entry points to Tanzania, including ports and airports, and any other gazetted entry point, from the Tanzanian High Commissions or embassies abroad, from the office of the Director of Immigration services in Dar es Salaam and the office of the Principal Immigration Officer, Zanzibar. For more information visit: www.tanzania.go.tz/tanzaniaembassiesabroad.htm
Fleet
The Fly540 Aircraft Fleet
BOMBARDIER DASH 8 102 SERIES Type: Twin-engined, medium-range, turboprop airliner Number in service: Two Fly540 operates modern aircraft and is constantly updating and modernising its fleet. The company uses aircraft such as the ATR 72-500, which burns only half as much fuel as some other aircraft and also emits less carbon into the atmosphere.
Capacity per aircraft: 37 passengers
CANADAIR CL-600-2B19 REGIONAL JET Type: Twin-engine regional jet Number in service: Three
This underlines the fact that Fly540 is a ‘green airline’ that cares for the environment.
Capacity per aircraft: 50 passengers
The crew and engineering team are professionally trained and certified to ICAO standards.
CESSNA CARAVAN C208 Type: Single turboprop engine, fixed-gear short-haul regional airliner Number in service: Two Capacity per aircraft: 10 passengers
FOKKER F28 Type: Twin engined medium range jet airliner Number in service: One Capacity per aircraft: 67 passengers
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540 MAGAZINE / ISSUE 33 / MAY – JULY 2019
