Chris Kirubi's Daughter Tapped to Lead Kenya's Tourism Image Rebrand
- The daughter of the late industrialist Chris Kirubi has been appointed to chair a 23-member task force to rebrand Kenya’s global tourism image
- Tourism CS Rebecca Miano said the rebrand will contribute to strengthening the national brand identity, building pride, investment confidence, and global partnerships
- President William Ruto and Trade CS Lee Kinyanjui announced other appointments into various government positions
Elijah Ntongai, an editor at TUKO.co.ke, has over four years of financial, business, and technology research and reporting experience, providing insights into Kenyan, African, and global trends.
Businesswoman Mary-Ann Musangi, daughter of the late industrialist Chris Kirubi, has been appointed to chair a high-profile task force mandated to overhaul Kenya’s global tourism image.
Source: Twitter
Musangi, who serves as managing director of HACO Industries and owns Capital FM, will lead a 23-member team unveiled by Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano.
On August 15, 2025, Miano published a gazette notice naming a task force that will serve for 12 months and is expected to submit a comprehensive report with actionable recommendations and an implementation roadmap for tourism image rebranding.
"The Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, has constituted a Taskforce to oversee the strategic rebranding of Kenya's tourism sector, positioning the country as a world-class, inclusive, and youth-driven tourism destination in partnership with the private sector, development partners, industry players, and relevant government agencies and actors. The rebrand will also contribute to strengthening the national brand identity, building pride, investment confidence, and global partnerships," read the notice by CS Miano.
Mary-Anne is expected to bring a wealth of experience from the private sector into the task force. She is the chairperson of the Women in Manufacturing Committee at the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM).
What is the purpose of the tourism task force?
According to CS Miano, the team’s mandate includes conducting a deep-dive assessment of how Kenya is perceived globally as a destination.
The task force will benchmark against leading tourism markets and craft a fresh brand strategy aligned with Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
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The exercise will involve revamping the current Magical Kenya brand into a modern, youth-driven, innovation-led, and sustainability-focused identity.
Source: Twitter
Who are the team members of the tourism task force?
Monali Shah will deputise Musangi, with Grace Wangui Kamau and Fatuma Huka serving as joint secretaries.
Other members of the team include Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) CEO June Chepkemei, hotelier Mohammed Hersi, creative professional Fakii Liwali, Nation Media Group Head of Broadcasting Simaloi Dajom, and Belva Digital CEO Serah Katusya, among others drawn from media, hospitality, marketing, and technology sectors.
The appointment of Musangi, a seasoned corporate leader, is being seen as a strategic move to bring private-sector dynamism and creativity into rebranding one of the country’s most important economic pillars.
Who has been appointed to government positions?
Meanwhile, the same gazette notice contained several other key government appointments.
President William Ruto named John Onyango Owino as the Non-Executive Chairperson of the Commission for University Education, John Antira Ketora as Chairperson of the Jomo Kenyatta Foundation Board, and Lt. Gen. (Rtd) Levi Franklin Mghalu as Chairperson of the Kenya National Shipping Line.
The president also declared upcoming vacancies in the National Land Commission as the current office-bearers’ term lapses on November 14, 2025, and constituted a selection panel to recruit new members.
In the trade sector, Investments, Trade, and Industry CS Lee Kinyanjui announced fresh appointments to state agencies, including Antony Mwangi to the Kenya Investment Authority Board, Joyce Kiprop Cheruiyot to the Special Economic Zones Authority, and the reappointment of Philip Coulson to the same body.
Nominations for registrar of political parties and KNCHR boss
In other news, Ruto has nominated John Cox Lorionokou as Registrar of Political Parties and Agatha Wanjiku Wahome as Assistant Registrar, both subject to parliamentary approval.
In the same announcement, Ruto nominated Claris Awuor Onganga as Chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) to replace the outgoing head
This comes following the withdrawal of Duncan Oburu Ojwang, who had earlier declined the role, citing personal reasons and conflict of interest.
The nominees, named after recommendations by the Public Service Commission and a gazetted selection panel, will undergo vetting by parliamentary committees to assess their qualifications, experience, and suitability before assuming office.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
