AfricaNewsAnalysis Travel Editor, Niels Bartels is currently on site in Nairobi reporting from the much anticipated travel expo “Magical Kenya“.
On day 2 of the event, we interviewed “Miss Tourism Africa 2022/2023“ Muthoni Kariuki who is also a climate champion.
AfricaNewsAnalysis: You are a climate champion and as well as Miss Tourism 2022/2023. How did you become a climate champion ?
Muthoni Kariuki: My name is Muthoni Kariuki, you can as well call me Noni. I am a climate champion and environmentalist. I am creative and I am a storyteller. I love using my voice and my platform to create awareness of different issues that are affecting the community and the planet and bring sustainable solutions for that. As creative and young person, we are very talented.
That’s a gift that we have. We have the inspiration, we have the energy – so we can use our talents. That’s one thing that we can maximise on. We have to tell stories and be part of the solution.
We are at the grassroots. We are able to know what are the different things that are affecting the community. I realized that I had to push the conversation forward towards sustainability.
I represented Kenya in Lagos in Nigeria in October and on the first of October 2022 I won the first “ Miss Tourism Africa“
What this means is promoting Africa. Africa is beautiful. Kenya is magical. We have much more to offer. But apart from that, as a climate champion and environmentalist, pushing eco tourism.
We were able to sensitise the people to travel responsibly while conserving the environment and improving the well being of the local community. If you go to a local community. What can you offer them? For me the best line is the impac. How are we impacting each other as we move around?
I think it is very heart warming and brings us together the aspect of humanity and love. We are all one people. When you travel around: what can you do for someone else?
Once you are gone, they will remember you also. That is what I do and that is how I ended up winning that title.
AfricaNewsAnalysis: The event “ Magical Kenya“ promotes the beauty of Kenya. What are in your opinion the most beautiful places here?
Muthoni: You could be in any part of Kenya and it could be the most beautiful place.
Apart from the popular place Mombasa we just launched 9 circuits in Kenya: the Nairobi Circuit, Central Kenya Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Northern Circuit, Western Circuit, Southern Circuit, North Rift Circuit, South Rift Circuit, and Eastern Circuit. All these places have unique aspects. The Mara will of course be number one, the wildebeest migration.
Apart from that, there’s rich culture, rich heritage. Last week we were in Kisumu for Kenya Tourism week and we went to a place called Kit-Mikayi. There is a very, very rich stone and another stone on top. It’s like magic. What’s holding all this together? Just beautiful. Every part of Kenya you go to, gives you a different experience. I can’t tell you this is where you need to go. Just come to Kenya. Come back here and you will have a beautiful experience, no matter which part of Kenya you are in. It’s just magical. “Hakuna matata” everywhere.
AfricaNewsAnalysis: How does this event (“Magical Kenya”) help to promote Kenya as a tourist destination?
Muthoni: As we know, this conversation is ongoing, that Kenya is an entry to Africa. This is going to boost our economy. It is going to boost business and improve all sites (also sustainability)
During the tourist week, we launched the one tourist, one tree campaign. This will bring sustainable partnerships we are looking for – from all stakeholders, from the private, from the government. Once we take care of our planet, then everything else will drive our economy, our people…this is very, very important. It’s a win for Kenya again because everything will start here. We are like a role model country for Africa. Thank you to the team and Kudos to Magical Kenya Tourism Board and to all the stakeholders. We are friendly and more partnerships will come. This will be for the people and for the planet.
AfricaNewsAnalysis: Thank you for the interview