Official Launch of Machakos University Kikao Staff Canteen at Armani Restaurant
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The official launch of Kikao Staff Canteen at Armani Restaurant took place on Wednesday 16th September, 2025 an initiative under the University’s Income Generating Unit (IGU) from the Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management. The new canteen aims to promote staff welfare while serving as a practical training hub for students enrolled in the hospitality and tourism management programmes.
The colorful event was graced by Senior Management led by Prof. James Muola, who represented Prof. Joyce Agalo, the Vice Chancellor of Machakos University, alongside members of staff, union representatives, and student leaders.
Dr. Alice Nzioka, the Chair of Department of Hospitality and Tourism Management, expressed gratitude to the University Management for their unwavering support, noting that strong leadership has enabled the department to innovate and actualize the project. She emphasized the department’s commitment to staff welfare by providing healthy, quality, and affordable meals, with delivery services to offices available at a small fee.
Dr. Nzioka further highlighted that the restaurant will serve 10 o’clock tea with a variety of snacks, a wide selection of lunch meals, and 4 o’clock tea and snacks. Beyond daily meals, the canteen will also provide cakes for birthdays, anniversaries, and weddings, as well as outside catering services. Importantly, the project doubles as a training ground where Hospitality Management students will gain hands-on experience by linking theory to practice. She thanked the department’s internal staff for their dedication and teamwork in bringing the project to fruition.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor Administration, Planning and Finance Prof. (CPA) Florence Memba encouraged staff to fully support the initiative and commended the department for their hard work and determination to see the project through. She also informed members that meals for University meetings will now be supplied directly from the canteen.
Representing the Vice Chancellor, Prof. James Muola, the acting Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic and Student Affairs, noted that the Vice Chancellor has consistently advocated for the establishment of a staff canteen, underscoring the importance of such facilities in promoting staff wellness and workplace morale.
The colorful ceremony featured a ribbon-cutting and cake-cutting sessions, officially marking the beginning of operations at the Kikao Staff Canteen. The canteen is expected to provide convenient, affordable, and professional catering services to the University community.
The name Kikao, which means “a meeting place”, reflects the canteen’s vision of being a warm, welcoming space where staff can meet, share meals, and strengthen professional and social bonds.