We mzee kwani ukona dementia? Umeamua kutuhesabia hadi 4 star hotels. Tangu lini 4 points by Sheraton ikakua 5 star and WTF is Onomo hotel. 😂 😂 😂 😂 Nairobi has more than 30 5-star hotels with over 100 rooms. Big city big things, hii sio kijiji kama Dar is a slum and Zanzibar.
MY TAKE
BTW kuna watu hapo Ukunduni Nairobi wanadhani ndio ina-hold crown ya 5 star hotels in East and central Africa! Wasijue Zanzibar is the undisputed King for now and many years to come!
Nani anajenga hii reli 😂😂
Inajengwa na siafu au mchwa? Sababu sijaona constructor wala mtambo site!
Funny enough sijaona hata balozi wa nyumba kumi kutoka Malaba 😂
East Africa presents excellent opportunities with its expanding tourism infrastructure and natural assets for Swiss-Belhotel International, says Laurent A. Voivenel, Senior Vice President – Operations & Development, EMEAI as well as Senior Vice President – Group Human Resources & Talent Development.
This year, Swiss-Belhotel International is participating - for the first time at the corporate level - Africa’s largest tourism exhibition, Magical Kenya Travel Expo (October 1 to 3). Voivenel says, “We want to use this opportunity to reinforce our presence in the region while deepening our network of tourism stakeholders. The decision to participate highlights our growing interest in Africa and reflects our confidence in its long-term potential as a travel and investment destination.
“We are open to discussions with like-minded owners who share our commitment to quality, scalability and destination-driven hospitality.”
Swiss-Belhotel International has a strong presence in two East African countries that are considered a hub for safari tourism, which is surging in popularity. There’s growing interest from the Middle East as well as the European Union, particularly for premium leisure travel and nature-based experiences, Voivenel says.
“Our entry into the region began with Swiss-Belinn Nairobi, located in the tranquil Kileleshwa district. It is owned by NIBS Resort Company Limited and managed by Antony Wanyoike, Stella Wanjiru Wanyoike, and Eric Wanyoike.
“Shortly thereafter, we signed Nairobi Safari Club, which was rebranded as Nairobi Safari Club by Swiss-Belhotel under the ownership of Clare Njeri Githunguri and Lilian Joy Nyagaki Githunguri.
“In Tanzania, we are expanding with Swiss-Belresort Zanzibar, developed in partnership with Crown Hotel and Resort Limited. This beachfront property is among the few internationally branded midscale resorts on the island, offering exceptional value and access to one of Africa’s fastest-growing leisure destinations.
“In July, this year, we signed a new five-star property, Swiss-Belboutique Masaki Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The property is owned by Astra Capital Limited, and is strategically located in Masaki, the high-end area on the prestigious Msasani Peninsula of Dar es Salaam.”
While the East African properties primarily target the leisure segment, there is also strong business interest in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam as commercial hubs, Voivenel explains.
From a Middle East and European perspective, these properties appeal because of their authenticity, comfort and accessibility. Zanzibar offers pristine beaches and a serene environment, Nairobi provides a gateway to curated safari experiences while Dar es Salaam is a major port city.
“Our goal is to tap into the growing popularity of these destinations by offering travellers distinctive experiences that blend local character with the comfort and consistency of an international brand.
“Travellers are becoming more discerning, choosing locations based on their vacation needs and the type of experiences they seek, including cultural immersion and natural beauty,” says Voivenel. “The hospitality industry is in a period of profound transformation. It’s not only about growth in room numbers, it’s about growing the right way, with purpose, partnerships and performance.
Voivenel says, “We are seeing demand shift towards curated, meaningful experiences, both in leisure and business segments.
“At Swiss-Belhotel International, we are committed to delivering value to our guests, owners and communities by staying agile, investing in our people and expanding thoughtfully into high-potential markets.
“Africa and the Middle East are integral to our global journey, and we welcome partners who are ready to explore that future with us,” he concludes.
Tanzania is enjoying the fruits of investment in tourism promotion, as international arrivals boom
Tanzania’s tourism market has rebounded strongly, and with success has come an impetus from major hotel brands to build a presence in the country.
International visitor numbers grew to 2.14 million in 2024, according to tourism minister Ashatu Kijaji, up from less than 923,000 as recently as 2021. Successful marketing has been targeted at European and North American visitor audiences. Domestic visitor numbers are up, too, reflecting improved economic spending power within the country, better infrastructure and government promotional campaigns.
A Focus on Creating Broader Options
While final figures for 2025 have yet to be added up, Kijaji said volumes for 2025 were up around 9%, indicating a continuing momentum for the country. Tourism currently contributes around one quarter of Tanzania’s foreign exchange earnings, and around 17.2% of its GDP. As a result, the sector is also a major employer too.
Marriott opened its Mapito Safari Camp in autumn 2025, with the property joining its Autograph Collection. The exclusive destination has just 16 tented suites. It is also working on delivering the 30 room JW Marriott Serengeti Lodge, opening during 2026. Also in the Serengeti, Kempinski is planning its Longosa Lodge, a 75 room luxury retreat which will open in autumn 2027.
Most of the current tourism revenue is around the provision of wildlife safari holidays, which government ministers are looking to diversify away from. Opportunities exist to grow the holiday sector on the country’s Indian Ocean coast and islands, encourage meetings and events, and build ecotourism options.
In the country’s former capital, Dar es Salaam, upcoming hotel developments include the Serena Tanzania, a 230 room refurbishment by Kenyan operator Serena. Radisson is preparing to open a Radisson Blu hotel and apartments, with the hotel occupying the top 14 floors of a 33 storey tower in the city. The 196 room property is due to open in autumn 2026.
According to the W Hospitality annual report on hotel development across Africa, the Tanzania market had a pipeline measured in early 2025 at 3,432 rooms, putting the country in ninth place across the continent. The figure recognises 29 live hotel projects in the country, with an average room count of 118.
Developments on Zanzibar
The island of Zanzibar, just off the country’s coast, is a focus of significant hotel development activity. Upcoming projects include the Canopy by Hilton Zanzibar, along with resorts for Four Seasons and Le Meridien, both well under way. Minor Hotels is also planning an Anantara branded hotel, with local partner Infinity Developments responsible for delivering the 100 room new build.
Also coming to Zanzibar is the first hotel in East Africa for Iberostar. The 360 room Iberostar Selection Muyuni Beach will open in late 2026. Swiss-Belhotel is also coming to the island, planning to open the 125 room Swiss-Belresort Zanzibar. Marriott is also looking to add to its presence in the region, with a hotel signed to its Tribute Portfolio.
Nani anajenga hii reli 😂😂
Inajengwa na siafu au mchwa? Sababu sijaona constructor wala mtambo site!
Funny enough sijaona hata balozi wa nyumba kumi kutoka Malaba 😂
President William Ruto breaks ground for the land-mark construction of the Naivasha-Kisumu-Malaba Standard Gauge Railway line in Narok on March 19, 2026.
Kenya is set to restart a multi-billion-dollar railway extension, a project that has been stalled for over six years after initial lending from China dried up.
President William Ruto on Thursday launched the railway project in Narok County.
The project stalled near Naivasha, more than 350 km short of reaching the Ugandan border, due to China's slashed funding for large African infrastructure projects under its Belt and Road Initiative.
The project, implemented by Kenya Railways in collaboration with the National Land Commission, comprises two sections: the Naivasha – Kisumu section and the Kisumu – Malaba section.
The State plans to use over Ksh.500 billion in the project, with more money allocated to the longer Naivasha to Kisumu leg of 264 kilometres.
Kenya Railways Managing Director Philip Mainga indicated that phase 2B of the line will be completed by June 2027.
The Naivasha – Kisumu section is set to commence from Emurtoto, in Narok County, to Kisumu, and a branch line of 8.69km to the proposed new Kisumu Port.
The railway line will have six intermediate stations located in Narok, Mulot, Bomet, Sotik, Sondu, and Ahero, traversing through 17 crossing sections that traverse through Narok, Bomet, Nyamira, Kericho, and Kisumu Counties.
The Kisumu – Malaba 107km section will have two intermediate stations in Yala and Mumias and will traverse through six crossing stations across Kisumu, Siaya, Vihiga, Kakamega and Busia Counties. The stations include Kisian West, Ramala, Yala, Musanda, Manyulia, and Amukura.
Likewise, the project design includes 13 tunnels, 23 bridges and 376 culverts.
Each passenger train will have a capacity of 1,096 passengers, and with a designed speed of 120 kilometres per hour, and each freight train will have a haulage capacity of 4,000 tonnes (216 TEUS) with a designed speed of 80 kilometres per hour.
The designed freight carrying capacity of the railway is 22 million tonnes per annum.
Other key features in the extension project include a uniform design specification, which will permit seamless operation across the borders.
The project is projected to significantly improve logistics efficiency within the country and the neighbouring countries.
Some of the projected benefits include reduced freight transport costs, faster movement of goods and passengers, increased trade competitiveness and promoting regional connectivity and integration.
The railway’s first section, linking the port of Mombasa to Nairobi, was completed in 2017.
Critics have said the stalled project had become a symbol of China's debt trap diplomacy, with Beijing extending large, often opaque loans to a poorer country for infrastructure projects - though that is a claim rejected by the Chinese government.
Kenya is set to restart a multi-billion-dollar railway extension today, Thursday March 19, a project that has been stalled for over six years after initial lending from China dried up.
Nani anajenga hii reli 😂😂
Inajengwa na siafu au mchwa? Sababu sijaona constructor wala mtambo site!
Funny enough sijaona hata balozi wa nyumba kumi kutoka Malaba 😂
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