The National Museums of Kenya (NMK), the institution presiding over the museums in Kenya, and colonial-styled luxury accommodation CityBlue Hotels have inked a new partnership to co-promote tourism and culture in Kenya.

According to a press statement by the  Africa Hospitality Investment Forum (AHIF), this alliance will facilitate sponsorship, co-branding, co-marketing and other forms of collaboration.

NMK was established in 2006 as a multi-disciplinary institution whose role is to collect, preserve, study, document and present Kenya’s past and present cultural and natural heritage. 

The statement adds that NMK’s purpose is to enhance knowledge, appreciation, respect and sustainable utilisation of these resources for the benefit of Kenya and the world, for now and posterity.

Mary Gikungu

It goes on to say that CityBlue Hotels is Africa’s fastest-growing local hotel chain that operates in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and Ghana. 

CityBlue also has a collaboration arrangement with more than 20 hotels in South Africa and Mozambique.

“This arrangement is a step for NMK to engage with the private sector with a group that is established, growing, dynamic and cares, like we do, for the welfare of mankind and the conservation of the biological diversity of the East African region and that of the entire planet. The story of NMK and our cultural heritage will be enhanced by this collaboration,” says Professor Mary Gikungu, Director General of the NMK.

Jameel Verjee

“NMK manages many regional museums, sites and monuments of national and international importance alongside priceless collections of Kenya’s living cultural and natural heritage,” says Jameel Verjee, Founder and CEO of CityBlue Hotels, explained at the Africa Hotel Investment Forum 2024.

“As an institution that must respond to the growing needs of society, NMK is striving to contribute in a unique way to the task of national development and we cannot wait to be a partner of NMK on this journey,” Verjee adds.