Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert has been appointed as the new Chairperson of the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) for a three-year term, replacing Jimi Kariuki.
The appointment announced through a gazette notice dated July 5, 2022 makes Mwangi-Yelbert the first female to serve as board chair since the inception of KTB.
“I want to thank President Uhuru Kenyatta for this appointment which is a sign of the confidence he has in my leadership ability. I am passionate about Kenya and about tourism and look forward to sharing my experience in marketing Kenya as a top tourism destination. I am glad that I will have a role to play in developing and improving tourism in Kenya,” said Joanne Mwangi Yelbert.
Mwangi-Yelbert joins the board with a background in brand development and communication.
Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert is the founder and CEO of Professional Marketing Services (PMS) Group, multiple award-winning marketing, and communications Pan African agency.
She has also served as a strategic advisor to several, government and private sector boards and is the immediate chair of the Advertising Standards Body of Kenya.
Commenting on the appointment, KTB CEO Dr. Betty Radier thanked the outgoing chair Jimi Kariuki for his service to the tourism sector, and also congratulated Ms Mwangi-Yelbert on her appointment.
“On behalf of KTB, I would like to thank the outgoing chairman Mr. Jimi Kariuki for his great service to the board and the country as the Chairman of KTB for the past six years. His experience in the industry has been invaluable and under his leadership, the board has been successful in undertaking its mandate as the country’s tourism marketer. I wish him well in his future endeavors,” said Radier.
“I congratulate Ms Joanne Mwangi-Yelbert on her appointment as the new chair, she brings a wealth of experience through her leadership and marketing which will no doubt ensure excellent execution of KTB’s mandate. I look forward to working with Ms Mwangi-Yelbert to propel Kenya’s tourism to greater heights,” she added.
