Ugandan president Yoweri Museveni and President Uhuru shortly after landing in Mombasa

MOMBASA, KENYA: The choice of Nyali Golf View Residence (NGVR) as the official hotel where Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni stayed during his two-day state visit to the Port City of Mombasa has elicited increased interest among holidaymakers seeking to stay at the facility.

According to Managing Director of Goldwyne Consult Limited who manages the premises, Dr. Benedict Mutuku, they have been enjoying excellent short stay occupancies since they opened last year.

'' We have a number of high profile guests here. But the visit by Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni during his recent State visit has led to a barrage of inquiries on what we offer here,'' Dr. Mutuku said.

President Museveni was accompanied by first daughter, Natasha Karugire, Foreign Affairs Minister, Mr. Sam Kuteesa among others.

A view of the Nyali Golf View Residence [Maarufu Mohamed, Standard]

Dr. Simon Gicharu, chairperson and proprietor of NGVR who is also the founder of Mount Kenya University (MKU) was on hand to welcome the visiting President.

NGVR is a hybrid accommodation facility that rises to the 13th floor and consists of 64 furnished and non -furnished duplexes with semidetached guest wings.

It has a separate 12th-floor Presidential pent house with an infinity swimming pool alongside viewing decks of the Nyali and Mombasa skyline.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers (Kahc) Coast branch Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sam Ikwaye said that the visit by President Yoweri to Mombasa was a clear indication that Mombasa was a safe place to visit.

'' For a Head of State of a foreign nation to choose to come to Mombasa and stay at one of the newest establishments in town is an endorsement of the quality of service on offer,'' Ikwaye said.

He added that endorsements of destinations by both VIPs and celebrities also comes with priceless memories.

''We will have more people seeking to come to Mombasa and to stay at places of interest,'' Ikwaye said.

He went on to state that today, the Tree Tops in Nyeri and the Kenya -UK links are more to do with Queen Elizabeth after she rose to royal responsibilities while in Kenya.

DP William Ruto (middle) is shown the Nyali view from the rooftops of Mombasa Nyali View Golf Residence by Simon Gicharu