2030: The Untold Story of Sarova Stanley | Jimi Kariuki (MD, Sarova) | CTA Brand Stories

In Episode 2 of CTA Brand Stories, we go deeper into the untold story of Sarova Stanley, Nairobi’s first luxury hotel and one of the most influential landmarks in Kenya’s hospitality history. MD Jimi Kariuki unpacks the legacy behind Sarova Stanley, from its colonial-era origins to its role in shaping modern tourism, business, and culture in Nairobi. We explore how the hotel became a central meeting point for politics, business, and travel, and how its spaces like the Thorn Tree and Exchange Bar carry decades of history. This episode also reveals the thinking behind Sarova’s transformation over the years, including the shift from pure sales-driven operations to intentional brand building and marketing strategy that introduced aspiration, storytelling, and experience into hospitality. You will also hear how tourism operated in earlier decades, the importance of tour operators, the evolution of travel communication, and the foundational relationships that helped shape the industry as we know it today. This is more than a hotel story. It is a look into heritage, leadership, and the making of a hospitality icon. If you have not watched Episode 1, we recommend starting there for full context. Subscribe to CTA Brand Stories for more deep, real conversations behind Africa’s most iconic brands.