A veteran of luxury hospitality takes the helm at Kenya’s premier tourism training institution, signaling a strategic pivot towards industry-led excellence.

In a move widely interpreted as a bid to restore the fading glory of Kenya Utalii College (KUC), the government has appointed Mahmud Jan Mohamed, the legendary former CEO of Serena Hotels, as its new non-executive Chairman. Mohamed’s appointment brings decades of high-level private sector discipline to an institution that has struggled in recent years to match the evolving demands of the global tourism market.

A Legacy of Excellence

Mahmud Mohamed is not just an administrator; he is an institution in himself. During his tenure at Serena Hotels, he oversaw the expansion of one of East Africa’s most prestigious hotel chains, setting benchmarks for service and operational quality that remain the gold standard.

• Strategic Vision: His mandate is clear: bridge the widening skills gap between Utalii’s graduates and the sophisticated needs of modern 5-star establishments.
• Industry Alignment: Stakeholders hope his leadership will drive curriculum reforms, emphasizing practical, high-end hospitality skills over theory.
• Restoring Confidence: The college has faced criticism over aging infrastructure and management challenges; Mohamed’s reputation is expected to attract renewed partnership interest from global hospitality brands.

The Road Ahead

The tourism sector is the backbone of Kenya’s economy, and Utalii College is its heart. By placing a captain of industry at the wheel, the message is that business-as-usual is over. The challenge now is whether the entrenched bureaucratic culture of the institution can keep pace with Mohamed’s private-sector velocity.

"We need a Utalii that produces managers, not just waiters," an insider remarked. With Mohamed in the chair, the college has its best shot in decades at delivering on that promise.