Giraffe Manor responds to claims of discrimination at hotel

By Too Jared | 4yrs ago | 3 min read

Giraffe Manor, Kenya’s luxurious home of the endangered Rothschild giraffe located in the upscale Karen neighbourhood, Nairobi has refuted claims that its policy is discriminatory against Kenyans.

In a statement following uproar over its June 1 notice in lieu of expected reopening following closure over Covid-19, the establishment stated that it is disappointed by accusations of discrimination at the exclusive hotel.

According to the Manor, claims that it was previously not open to Kenyans are false, drawn from a communication by an independent agent that posted the advertisement of the reopening whose wording, the boutique says, was misinterpreted.

“The team at Giraffe Manor acknowledges the feedback from the public in regards to a poster published by an independent agent communicating our reopening on 1 June 2020 following the closure due to Covid-19. We are disappointed to read accusations implying any form of discrimination at Giraffe Manor.

“Unfortunately the wording in the advertisement posted by the independent agent (@ahnsasaluxury) was misconstrued to indicate that we were previously not open to Kenyans… We are saddened by an offence caused by the wording of the advert and while we have noted that it has been deleted from the agent’s feed, we have also requested that they offer an apology to the public for this miscommunication,” read the statement in part.

**Giraffe Manor [Photo: Africa Odyssey]**

Responding to allegations made by many including renowned publicist Anyiko Owoko who slammed that hotel in what she claimed was a deliberate, skewed admission policy to lockout locals, the manor explained that it, for instance, offers no breakfast as a stand-alone service neither is it able to facilitate walk-ins at any time.

“…We have many requests to visit Giraffe Manor at different times but, unfortunately, we are only able to offer an all-inclusive package which includes a night at the manor inclusive of breakfast. Like many luxury safari destinations, we do not offer breakfast as a stand-alone service and as an extremely intimate property, we are unable to facilitate walk-ins at any time. We regret if this policy means disappointment for some but it is necessitated by the desire to ensure the absolute best environment for the giraffes, our staff and guests,” it added.

For Owoko and other critics, however, the facility’s announcement was no fluke, rather an attempt to attract locals due to dipping business returns as a result of Covid-19 restrictions.

She claimed that the Manor in its earlier policy required its clientele to pay up to Sh64,000 ($600) for add-ons such as an airport transfer, car and chauffeur. This, according to Owoko, was unnecessary and impractical; a circumstantial strategy to lock out residents who may not necessarily need the services listed.

“We called your establishment to inquire if we could stay a night – there was no space available because you were booked out, completely understandable but when we requested to come have breakfast and just see the giraffes we were slapped with an exorbitant rate [over 600 USD] which included a driver, chauffeur, airport transfer and a vehicle.

“But when we requested to pay only for the breakfast and to see giraffes and not have to pay for the car and airport transfer because we are Kenyans and commuting from the city, your bookings department refused and said that we had to pay the full amount because it is your policy.

“…For the longest time, your policy has been to have these type of pricing that only benefit non-Kenyans and tourists coming from outside Kenya. I wonder why all over sudden you are welcoming Kenyans into your establishment,” posed the PR manager and publicist.