Kenya Utalii College 47th Graduation Ceremony – 22/6/2023

As Kenya’s tourism industry continues to flourish, the Kenya Utalii College (KUC) celebrated its 47th Graduation Ceremony today. The graduation ceremony was presided over by the Cabinet Secretary (CS), Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and heritage, Hon. Peninah Malonza, who congratulated the graduates and expressed her pride in the growth of the tourism industry.

“On behalf of my Ministry, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Governing Council, Management, Staff, and, most importantly, to the 484 highly qualified and globally competitive graduates who are about to embark on their journey in the hospitality and tourism sector,” said CS Malonza.

Despite the challenges faced during the Covid-19 pandemic, the tourism industry has emerged stronger than ever and has become a cornerstone of the nation’s progress. It has contributed significantly to employment opportunities, Foreign Exchange Earnings, and the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The industry has embraced product diversification, expanding its horizons to include Agro-tourism, gastronomy, culture and heritage, and medical tourism, among others.

“H.E. the President, Dr. William Ruto, fervently encourages African countries to unite and enhance trade among themselves. Such collaboration will undoubtedly benefit the African people, particularly the youth. Through strategic discussions and state visits, we have already witnessed positive changes, such as the removal of visa requirements for citizens of Djibouti traveling to Kenya. Kenyans can now enjoy visa-free travel to South Africa. The time is ripe for our hospitality and tourism industry to reap the highest returns from these endeavors,” added Malonza.

The success of the tourism industry in Kenya has attracted global attention to the investment opportunities available in the hospitality industry not only in Kenya but also throughout Africa. The Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF) was recently hosted in Kenya, and the investments will not only inject foreign currency into the economy but also create countless employment opportunities for the youth.

“To the graduands before me, I want you to take a moment to acknowledge the significance of the training you have received from an internationally recognized institution. You are the epitome of excellence, a cut above the rest. And with this privilege comes great responsibility,” said Malonza.

The CS also advised the graduates to uphold professionalism in everything they do, as their customers expect nothing short of the best. The graduates were encouraged to embrace the diversity of the tourism industry and to be innovative in their approach to the industry.

KUC is a leading African hospitality and tourism training institution. Established 47 years ago, the College has trained over 60,000 graduates from around the world who continue to serve in the local and international hospitality and tourism industry.

Also present was; the Principal Secretary, State Department for Tourism, Hon. John Ololtuaa; Kenya Utalii Governing Council Chairman, Hon. David Wamatsi; various heads of Parastatals in the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage; various CEOs in the Hospitality and Tourism Industry, among others.