By Sandra Blessings
Kenya Utalii College (KUC) got a shot in the arm with the appointment of former Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Serena Hotels, Mahmud Jan Mohammed, as the Council Chairman.
The move is aimed at repositioning the institution as a global leader in hospitality training and capacity development regionally and internationally.
The appointment was met with excitement by stakeholders in the industry, who welcomed it, saying it was a timely move in the right direction.
They said the appointment was in line with the anticipated growth and development of Kenya Utalii College as a regional centre of excellence.
“The combination of Jan and the current Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife leadership, together with the management team led by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr Mark Rachuonyo, also a player in the industry, is expected to modernise the institution and place it on the global map.
With the transformation agenda being championed by the team, it will be a truly centre of excellence in Africa,” they said.
They said that with the recent reconnection with UN Tourism, it is expected that KUC will be in a transformative mode.
A team of ten top students and two lecturers, through the support of the French Embassy, will be undertaking their summer training in Nice City, south of France, next month.
Jan, in a post, said he was grateful for the consideration and promised to raise the bar of the institution.
“I promise to give my best and restore the college’s lost glory. I thank you all,” he wrote.
The appointment comes at a time when the institution has embarked on expansion and the opening of branches in Kisumu and Kilifi counties.
He is expected to oversee the institution’s transition into a centre of excellence in hospitality and tourism training.
This includes the opening of the KUC campus in Kilifi, renovation and refurbishment of the Utalii Hotel, the only hotel school in Africa with an operational hotel.
The college, which was opened in 1976, will be celebrating its 50th anniversary in June 2026.
“Congratulations are in order to Mahmud Janmohamed, former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Serena Hotels, on his appointment as the new Chairman of the Board of Kenya’s premier hotel school, Kenya Utalii College.
I would like to thank H.E. President William Samoei Ruto and the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Hon. Rebecca Miano, for identifying Mr Jan Mohamed as the Chair.
This is an excellent move, as MJM is a leader who supported Utalii College for decades during his tenure as CEO and MD of Serena Hotels. Every year, Serena Hotels would recruit students directly from the campus, consistently seeking the best talent. During his tenure, management trainees—young and promising managers—were selected even before graduation. This is a practice Serena carries out to date.
This approach explains why Serena Hotels across East Africa, not only in Kenya, are managed by Kenyans. Whether at Kivu Serena, Kirawira Serena, Zanzibar Serena or Maputo Serena, the General Manager is Kenyan. The same pattern is evident in the culinary department, where many Executive Chefs are also Kenyan.
Once again, hongera to MJM. I wish you all the very best and my full support as we join hands to uplift Kenya Utalii College and reclaim its rightful position as Africa’s leading hotel and tourism institution,” wrote Mohammed Hersi.
Mombasa
