My dreams have come true

Munira Gilani, in her 50s, is the CEO and director of the Mayfair Group and also manages the Imperial Hotel, all in Kisumu. She shares her story with Maureen Odiwuor

After completing my high school in 1972, I went to the UK and spent a couple of years in Brighton where I attained a higher national diploma in Business Studies.  

I then articled with Spicer and Pegler Chartered Accountants and qualified as a chartered accountant. I am now a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of England and Wales.

My first job was with Deloittes in Bristol, England in, 1979. It made me feel empowered and that the years of hard work were beginning to pay off.

Having met my husband Amin Sadrudin Gilani in England, we both decided that our future lay in our home country, Kenya.

We got married in 1982 here in Kenya then relocated to Kisumu.

My new family was involved in the operation of Mayfair Bakery, the producers of Sunblest bread. I was eager to contribute my expertise and joined the business.

Elegant Munira Gilani

Being young and motivated, I wanted to do something exciting. The family decided to venture into the hospitality industry and invested in a hotel, which I could manage.

With Nairobi and Mombasa already receiving a favourable number of tourists, our intentions were to capture the spill-over tourism as well as establish a leading hotel in the western Kenya region.

Taking risk

With the grace of God, hard work and support of family, friends and staff, we have since maintained a significant presence in the region.

Imperial Hotel was a vision that was not easily realised. It is said that business is a risk. We took the risk and with time, things started falling into place. That is why I always encourage young people not to be in a hurry.

The hotel was opened in 1985. My in-laws assisted in its foundation. We aimed to provide a service unmatched by any in the region.

We had a tourist hotel in mind initially, but with time, we realised that our greatest number of clients were business people.

The hotel is currently undergoing renovations to suit the high market demands now that tourism has picked in Kisumu.

Targeting tourists

The hotel has hosted a number of dignitaries including Retired Anglican Bishop Desmond Tutu, the Queen of Norway who visited last year, retired president Moi, President Kibaki, Prime Minister Raila Odinga, the late John Garang of South Sudan and Prophet David Owuor among others.

Our numbers have been heightened since the inauguration of US President Barack Obama. Many tourists are now eager to satisfy their curiosity of visiting Kogelo, Obama’s paternal home.

An opportunity came up for me to continue with my education and with the support of my husband, I went to Canada in 1999.

In 2003, I got my Masters in Business Administration from the Haskayne School of Business at the University of Calgary.

Eager with my newly acquired skills, I came back home and each day continues to motivate me to give back to my community.

Patience and hard work are what have seen me excel in the business world.

Nothing comes on a silver platter. I encourage everyone to look at acquiring more education. They should take on full or part time courses at universities to upgrade their skills.

Our business has since continued to grow with the aim of providing sustainable employment and supporting the region. We have diversified interests from baking to fish processing and real estate development.  

Our latest investment has been in partnership with Eden Square Business Centre and we have established a fully serviced office space within the Central Business District of Kisumu.

The concept is a unique office environment, providing fully furnished offices with no need for reception or support staff.

Strengthening sport

I am a strong believer in unity through sport. I find it inspiring when younger members of our society are involved in community service.

We recently organised a successful inter-community sports festival in Kisumu and hope to have a bigger one in the New Year.  

The Imperial Hotel is currently sponsoring a football tournament comprising of ten teams. Three teams are from the corporate sector and seven are from estates within Kisumu. I hope that through this initiative, I can motivate young people to participate in sporting activities and in the long run, positively impact their lives.

This initiative is also part of our effort to encourage peace among Kisumu residents. The ten teams are from different ethnic, cultural, religious and economic backgrounds. We hope that the tournament will encourage harmonious living among the different groups.

I am aware that younger people face immense challenges. The world is changing fast and if we are not careful, we will find ourselves in uncomfortable positions.

The nuclear family continues to face threats and no solution or iPad application can solve these problems.

I would like to tell young people that married life is not easy. Its success depends on how much effort both spouses put in.

Remember two people embark on a journey together; this is as much a blessing as it is a responsibility that must be treated as such.

Emotional relationships are taxing. However, if you start out with a positive attitude and balance your life, then there is no reason why a marriage should not succeed.

I also encourage open communication. This is what makes marriages last. Couples should open up to each other, spend time together and not rush for divorce because, as much as that is the easiest option, the repercussions are usually enormous.

Children, no matter what age, need both parents in their upbringing.