Kisumu Crowns Its Tourism Champions in Historic Gala

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KISUMU, Kenya – Under a starlit sky at the picturesque Dunga Hill Camp, the crème de la crème of Kisumu’s tourism sector gathered for a night of glitz, glamour, and glory at the Tourism Excellence Awards 2025 Gala. The grand finale of Kisumu Tourism Week saw the culmination of a massive public voting exercise that recorded 8,314 votes, finally revealing the winners in twenty hotly contested categories. The process began with 1,492 valid public nominations, setting the stage for a fiercely competitive race.

The event was graced by dignitaries, including Kenya Utalii College Chairman, Mr. David Wamatsi, and Kisumu Environment CECM, Ms. Judith Oluoch, who joined industry stakeholders in celebrating the individuals and institutions shaping the region’s tourism landscape.

Here is the complete breakdown of the journey from nomination to victory in every category:

1. Tourism Personality of the Year (5,061 votes)

Nomination Leader: Fulgence Rabach (65 nominations)

  • WINNER: Thomas Ouko – 1,332 votes (26.3%)

    • Started with 36 nominations (4th)

  • Affine Akeyo – 1,250 votes (24.7%)

    • Started with 20 nominations (5th)

  • Oscar Ochola – 859 votes (17.0%)

    • Started with 52 nominations (3rd)

  • Ibrahim Haggai – 844 votes (16.7%)

    • Started with 53 nominations (2nd)

  • Fulgence Rabach – 776 votes (15.3%)

    • Started with 65 nominations (1st)

2. Tourism Business of the Year (5,057 votes)

Nomination Leader: Vik Tours and Travels (40 nominations)

  • WINNER: Grand Royal Swiss Hotel – 1,693 votes (33.5%)

    • Started with 10 nominations (5th)

  • Calfie Resort – 1,142 votes (22.6%)

    • Started with 20 nominations (3rd)

  • Vik Tours and Travels – 864 votes (17.1%)

    • Started with 40 nominations (1st)

  • Lovely Garden Guest Home – 855 votes (16.9%)

    • Started with 38 nominations (2nd)

  • LeSovrain Suites – 503 votes (9.9%)

    • Started with 19 nominations (4th)

3. Best Accommodation Provider (5,692 votes)

Nomination Leader: Acacia Premier Hotel (51 nominations)

  • WINNER: Ciala Resort – 1,072 votes (18.8%)

    • Started with 21 nominations (Tied 4th)

  • Acacia Premier Hotel – 822 votes (14.4%)

    • Started with 51 nominations (1st)

  • Safe House Apartments – 670 votes (11.8%)

    • Started with 5 nominations (10th)

  • Grand Royal Swiss Hotel – 619 votes (10.9%)

    • Started with 15 nominations (7th)

  • Lovely Garden Guest Home – 594 votes (10.4%)

    • Started with 50 nominations (2nd)

  • Sarova Imperial Hotel – 499 votes (8.8%)

  • Calfie Resort – 491 votes (8.6%)

  • Wigot Gardens Hotel – 428 votes (7.5%)

  • LeSovrain Suites – 310 votes (5.4%)

  • Royal City Hotel – 187 votes (3.3%)

4. Special Recognition (4,849 votes)

Nomination Leader: Thomas Ouko (50 nominations)

  • WINNER: Thomas Ouko – 1,448 votes (29.9%)

    • Started with 50 nominations (1st)

  • Affine Akeyo – 1,275 votes (26.3%)

    • Started with 15 nominations (5th)

  • Oscar Ochola – 782 votes (16.1%)

    • Started with 38 nominations (2nd)

  • Ibrahim Haggai – 739 votes (15.2%)

    • Started with 16 nominations (4th)

  • Fulgence Rabach – 605 votes (12.5%)

    • Started with 25 nominations (3rd)

5. Best Local Culinary Experience (5,132 votes)

Nomination Leader: Kakwacha (30 nominations)

  • WINNER: Kakwacha – 2,122 votes (41.3%)

    • Started with 30 nominations (1st)

  • Dondez – 919 votes (17.9%)

    • Started with 5 nominations (4th)

  • Kalongolongo – 917 votes (17.9%)

    • Started with 13 nominations (2nd)

  • Ujima Food Garden – 627 votes (12.2%)

    • Started with 12 nominations (3rd)

  • Taji Eats – 547 votes (10.7%)

    • Started with 6 nominations (5th)

6. Best Tours and Travel Operator (4,800 votes)

Nomination Leader: Vik Tours and Travel (51 nominations)

  • WINNER: Vik Tours and Travel – 1,616 votes (33.7%)

    • Started with 51 nominations (1st)

  • Calvin Tours – 1,253 votes (26.1%)

    • Started with 26 nominations (2nd)

  • Zaira Tours – 704 votes (14.7%)

    • Started with 18 nominations (3rd)

  • California Tours – 639 votes (13.3%)

    • Started with 7 nominations (4th)

  • Sinachi Tours – 588 votes (12.3%)

    • Started with 4 nominations (5th)

7. Most Captivating Tourist Attraction (5,218 votes)

Nomination Leader: Impala Park (65 nominations)

  • WINNER: Dunga Beach – 1,676 votes (32.1%)

    • Started with 25 nominations (3rd)

  • Impala Park – 1,453 votes (27.8%)

    • Started with 65 nominations (1st)

  • Lake Victoria – 1,150 votes (22.0%)

    • Started with 21 nominations (4th)

  • Kit Mikayi – 615 votes (11.8%)

    • Started with 40 nominations (2nd)

  • Kisumu Museum – 324 votes (6.2%)

    • Started with 10 nominations (5th)

8. Best Event and/or Festival (5,176 votes)

Nomination Leader: Fish Fiesta (40 nominations)

  • WINNER: Luo Festival – 2,078 votes (40.1%)

    • Started with 24 nominations (3rd)

  • Dala 7s – 1,318 votes (25.5%)

    • Started with 19 nominations (4th)

  • Fish Fiesta – 860 votes (16.6%)

    • Started with 40 nominations (1st)

  • Kisumu Old School RnB Brunch (KORB) – 668 votes (12.9%)

    • Started with 4 nominations (Tied 4th)

  • Boma Night – 252 votes (4.9%)

    • Started with 4 nominations (Tied 4th)

9. Best Passenger Transporter (5,386 votes)

Nomination Leader: Easy Coach (27 nominations)

  • WINNER: Easy Coach – 1,190 votes (22.1%)

    • Started with 27 nominations (1st)

  • Ena Coach – 1,030 votes (19.1%)

    • Started with 12 nominations (3rd)

  • Jambojet – 547 votes (10.2%)

    • Started with 8 nominations (Tied 4th)

  • Bungoma Line – 463 votes (8.6%)

    • Started with 8 nominations (Tied 4th)

  • Kenya Airways – 449 votes (8.3%)

    • Started with 6 nominations (7th)

  • Renegade Air – 442 votes (8.2%)

  • Red Bus – 425 votes (7.9%)

  • Flexis Shuttle – 319 votes (5.9%)

  • Guardian – 310 votes (5.8%)

  • Waterbus – 211 votes (3.9%)

10. Best Nightlife Entertainment Facility (5,135 votes)

Nomination Leader: Black Pearl Lounge (45 nominations)

  • WINNER: Black Pearl Lounge – 1,340 votes (26.1%)

    • Started with 45 nominations (1st)

  • Atella Beach Resort – 1,232 votes (24.0%)

    • Started with 6 nominations (5th)

  • Dunga Hill Camp – 1,215 votes (23.7%)

    • Started with 13 nominations (4th)

  • Club Da Place – 868 votes (16.9%)

    • Started with 25 nominations (2nd)

  • Alleyways Beer Garden – 480 votes (9.3%)

    • Started with 19 nominations (3rd)

11. Best MICE Facility (5,024 votes)

Nomination Leader: Lovely Garden Guest Home (60 nominations)

  • WINNER: Ciala Resort – 1,723 votes (34.3%)

    • Started with 25 nominations (3rd)

  • Acacia Premier Hotel – 1,091 votes (21.7%)

    • Started with 28 nominations (2nd)

  • Grand Royal Swiss Hotel – 957 votes (19.0%)

    • Started with 22 nominations (4th)

  • Lovely Garden Guest Home – 858 votes (17.1%)

    • Started with 60 nominations (1st)

  • Le Sovrain Suites – 395 votes (7.9%)

    • Started with 19 nominations (5th)

12. Best Tourism Innovation and Initiative (4,738 votes)

Nomination Leader: Dragnet Zipline Dunga (16 nominations)

  • WINNER: Dala 7s – 1,717 votes (36.2%)

    • Started with 3 nominations (5th)

  • Kisumu My Pride – 1,694 votes (35.8%)

    • Started with 5 nominations (2nd)

  • Dragnet Zipline Dunga – 589 votes (12.4%)

    • Started with 16 nominations (1st)

  • Mary Okelo Conservancy – 482 votes (10.2%)

    • Started with 4 nominations (Tied 3rd)

  • E-Safiri Charging Limited – 256 votes (5.4%)

    • Started with 4 nominations (Tied 3rd)

13. Best Tourism Academic Institution (4,999 votes)

Nomination Leader: Maseno University (35 nominations)

  • WINNER: Maseno University – 1,860 votes (37.2%)

    • Started with 35 nominations (1st)

  • Kenya Utalii College – 1,079 votes (21.6%)

    • Started with 22 nominations (3rd)

  • Kisumu National Polytechnic – 915 votes (18.3%)

    • Started with 18 nominations (4th)

  • Wigot School of Hospitality – 685 votes (13.7%)

    • Started with 32 nominations (2nd)

  • Ujima Foundation – 460 votes (9.2%)

    • Started with 16 nominations (5th)

14. Best Tourism and Cultural Entertainment (4,957 votes)

Nomination Leader: African Genre Shield (25 nominations)

  • WINNER: Dunga Hill Camp – 2,207 votes (44.5%)

    • Started with 8 nominations (3rd)

  • Kisumu Museum – 1,324 votes (26.7%)

    • Started with 18 nominations (2nd)

  • African Genre Shield (AGES Kenya) – 575 votes (11.6%)

    • Started with 25 nominations (1st)

  • Dero Cultural Dancers – 523 votes (10.6%)

    • Started with 7 nominations (4th)

  • Story Makers Society – 328 votes (6.6%)

    • Started with 5 nominations (5th)

15. Community Impact Award (4,646 votes)

*Nomination Leader: E-Safiri Charging Limited (58 nominations)*

  • WINNER: Kisumu Environmental Champions – 1,277 votes (27.5%)

    • Started with 12 nominations (4th)

  • Lovely Garden Guest Home – 1,150 votes (24.8%)

    • Started with 35 nominations (2nd)

  • Affine Akeyo – 1,134 votes (24.4%)

    • Started with 8 nominations (5th)

  • E-Safiri Charging Limited – 549 votes (11.8%)

    • Started with 58 nominations (1st)

  • Kimuta Talent Academy – 536 votes (11.5%)

    • Started with 19 nominations (3rd)

16. Outstanding Tourism and Hospitality Ambassador (4,495 votes)

Nomination Leader: Thomas Ouko (35 nominations)

  • WINNER: Thomas Ouko – 1,695 votes (37.7%)

    • Started with 35 nominations (1st)

  • Oscar Ochola – 1,106 votes (24.6%)

    • Started with 12 nominations (2nd)

  • Vicky Oyoo – 628 votes (14.0%)

    • Started with 4 nominations (Tied 3rd)

  • John Ricky Ouko – 626 votes (13.9%)

    • Started with 6 nominations (3rd)

  • Philip Mwangi – 440 votes (9.8%)

    • Started with 4 nominations (Tied 3rd)

17. Tourism Rising Star Award (4,278 votes)

Nomination Leader: Fancy Brenda (30 nominations)

  • WINNER: Fancy Brenda – 1,316 votes (30.8%)

    • Started with 30 nominations (1st)

  • John Ricky Ouko – 1,003 votes (23.4%)

    • Started with 28 nominations (2nd)

  • Gift Rael – 745 votes (17.4%)

    • Started with 2 nominations (5th)

  • Ronny Orando – 728 votes (17.0%)

    • Started with 14 nominations (3rd)

  • Noel Milanya – 486 votes (11.4%)

    • Started with 3 nominations (4th)

18. Best Journalist Supporting Tourism (4,734 votes)

Nomination Leader: Chris Mahandara (5 nominations)

  • WINNER: Ouko Okusa – 1,557 votes (32.9%)

    • Started with 3 nominations (Tied 4th)

  • Alex Chamwada – 1,418 votes (29.9%)

    • Started with 4 nominations (Tied 2nd)

  • Faith Matete – 776 votes (16.4%)

    • Started with 4 nominations (Tied 2nd)

  • David Opiyo – 586 votes (12.4%)

    • Started with 3 nominations (Tied 4th)

  • Chris Mahandara – 397 votes (8.4%)

    • Started with 5 nominations (1st)

19. Best Tourism Social Media Influencer (4,923 votes)

Nomination Leader: Ibrahim Haggai (38 nominations)

  • WINNER: Winnie Wenger – 1,111 votes (22.6%)

    • Started with 7 nominations (4th)

  • Nancy Okuta – 1,057 votes (21.5%)

    • Started with 14 nominations (3rd)

  • Evans Ngozi Nyensi – 1,052 votes (21.4%)

    • Started with 6 nominations (5th)

  • Ibrahim Haggai – 940 votes (19.1%)

    • Started with 38 nominations (1st)

  • Fulgence Rabach – 763 votes (15.5%)

    • Started with 22 nominations (2nd)

20. Best Media House Promoting Tourism (4,994 votes)

Nomination Leader: Ramogi TV (33 nominations)

  • WINNER: Ramogi TV – 2,582 votes (51.7%)

    • Started with 33 nominations (1st)

  • Radio Nam Lolwe – 848 votes (17.0%)

    • Started with 20 nominations (2nd)

  • Citizen TV – 806 votes (16.1%)

    • Started with 7 nominations (4th)

  • Radio Lake Victoria – 593 votes (11.9%)

    • Started with 10 nominations (3rd)

  • KTN – 165 votes (3.3%)

    • Started with 4 nominations (5th)

As the celebrations continued into the night, CECM Hon Farida Salim concluded, “Tonight, we haven’t just given out awards; we have documented a legacy. Each nomination was a hope, each vote was a voice of confidence, and each winner is a beacon guiding Kisumu’s tourism towards an even more brilliant future.”

#KisumuMyPride #KisumuTourismWeek2025 #TourismExcellenceAwards

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