Former Tourism and Wildlife CS Najib Balala has been appointed as a director, to serve on the board of Vipingo Ridge, a luxury tourist destination in Mombasa, standing on 2500 acres of land.
The lavish resort houses a wildlife sanctuary, golf course, fishing dam, clubhouse, restaurant, various sporting facilities, and huge villas tucked into the hillside.
Balala was appointed alongside Ken Luusa and Andrew Musangi, who cannot take up the role due to his new role as Central Bank of Kenya(CBK) Chairperson.
Also appointed was Trevor Finn, one of the longest-serving CEOs of UK’s Pendragon PLC, who was named the new non-executive chairman.
“Vipingo Ridge is very pleased to welcome two new Directors Hon. Najib Balala and Mr Ken Luusa to the Board. Mr Andrew Musangi is unable to serve on the Board on account of his pressing public duties recently announced,” a notice from Vipingo Ridge read in parts.
Balala has served in government for a period spanning 25 years, starting as the Mayor of Mombasa in 1996.
He went on to occupy several positions including the Minister for Gender, Sports, Culture and Social Services, Minister for Labour, Minister for National Heritage, Minister for Tourism.
The seasoned politician has also served as the Mvita Constituency Member of Parliament.
Additionally, Balala has been the Chairperson of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Chairman of the United Nations World Tourism Organization as well as the Vice-Chairman of the Kenya Tourism Board with his most recent position being the Vice President of Flora and Fauna International.
The former CS’s accolades do not end there. He was also a recipient of the Heroes Tourism Award 2020, and the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Champion Award (2019).
The former CS is expected to bring his wealth of knowledge and experience in Tourism and governance to Vipingo Ridge.
“These new appointments bring a vast wealth of global knowledge and governance expertise to the Board
and will ensure that the homeowners’ best interests, and those of the development, are protected and
enhanced going forward,” said Vipingo’s founder and outgoing chairman Alastair Cavenagh.
