KENYA’S HEALTH SECRETARY GIVES JACARANDA HOTEL HIS THUMBS UP AS HIS COLLEAGUES FROM TOURISM AND TRADE LOOK ON
(Posted 27th July 2017)
Not one, not two but three full Cabinet Secretaries earlier today came to the Jacaranda Hotel with their key staff after a thorough health inspection had been carried out to put rumours to rest – and take the wind out of the Health CS’s sails who in a misguided move had ‘ordered‘ the hotel to be closed – that Jacaranda was in any way, shape or format involved with any cases of cholera diagnosed in the Kenyan capital.
With his health cabinet colleague were the Tourism CS Najib Balala and his cabinet colleague from the Trade portfolio. It was Najib Balala who then handed over a certificate of clean health to the Jacaranda management which is led by Mr. Killian Lugwe as Group CEO and Ms. Margaret Maingi as General Manager of the hotel.
This puts a sordid saga of unsubstantiated allegations and fake news to rest.
The situation started with a reckless report filed by the Star newspaper from a journalist who deserves to be horsewhipped for his flagrant disregard of the need to check information before publishing such damaging allegations as his version of the truth.
It led to a closure order by the Health Cabinet Secretary last week which Jacaranda rightly refused and demanded a full inspection of their facilities. The hotel was subsequently cleared by authorities of any wrongdoing as their kitchens, stores and other operational areas were found to be fully compliant with county and central government health regulations for workers in the food industry.
Congratulations to the Jacaranda team for putting this damaging episode behind them while at the same time another hotel actually involved in a cholera outbreak several weeks ago escaped any form of punishment or repercussions altogether apart from their clientele opting for other establishments.
