Fifteen years ago, on July 14, 2008, this website was born, with the name Malindikenya.net and the subtitle "The portal of Italians in Kenya."
A familiar date for revolutions, and this one in my very small way has been, thanks to the push and funding of 36 businesses that supported my idea and had faith not only in the "pedigree" of a professional journalist, but also in a "madman" like yours truly, capable of transforming himself into a storyteller, writer and cabaret performer and dressing up in traditional giriama tribe clothes.

But work is work, and the portal was created solely for the information and tourist promotion of the places frequented by our compatriots, to make known the "things of Kenya" without either the sensationalism at all costs of the third millennium media, or the clichés that lead nowhere, let alone lies and "fake news" that sooner or later surface and rubbish you.
The Italian tourist sector in Malindi and Watamu (but also someone from Diani, how can we not remember the enthusiasm of the unforgettable Mario Scianna) and from Nairobi (the Comites, with Franco De Paoli was the first to applaud the initiative, and the current board with President Bruno Giachino does even more) immediately appreciated my efforts and, I believe, also my professionalism.

On July 14, 2008 officially began the "broadcasts."
Yes, I immediately thought that the anniversary of the French Revolution fell just right. Because for Malindi and Watamu it was a revolution, I would say more like a miracle! To be able to bring all those entrepreneurs together, when Italians are known at best to commune in two and sooner or later fight.
Since then a daily work has started that has led to the publication of more than 7,000 articles, covering everything that may be of interest to compatriots who have to do with this country in various capacities.
Plus all the behind-the-scenes, "information desk" work, which means receiving dozens of emails a week asking me for clarification and moderating groups and pages with thousands of members on Facebook.

Fortunately (besides my own, which is much more) since 2012 I am not alone in this "mission." I am joined by Leni, not only for the wonderful pictures that sometimes tell more than any paragraph, but for the whole business part and the more tedious but fundamental editing part.
Those who have been following us since that time know that we have often managed to reconcile this work with our passion for social, environmental and cultural issues, promoting initiatives, publishing books, and setting up shows, recitals, exhibitions and more to keep the attention on our tourist destinations alive.

Throughout the years we have been through some good and some not so good: terrorism (though not directly on the coast) has threatened us, with the attack on the Westgate shopping mall in Nairobi in 2013 and the attack on the University of Garissa in 2015. Other risks of turmoil after the 2017 elections and now the drought and hunger that bring millions of Kenyans to their knees. Not to mention the kidnapping of compatriot Silvia Romano in Chakama in 2019, to the risk of closure due to lack of funds and advertising revenue during the pandemic, with a moving and gratifying campaign of donations from loyal readers and sponsors who have never abandoned us, among whom it is only right to mention the only two who were there on the first day and are still there: Roberto Lenzi and Pasquale Tiritò.

We recounted the growth of Kenya and its entry into the ranks of the world's developing countries, the hardships of great social inequalities by visiting slums, the vacations of celebrities who verified in person the magic and wonder of certain places, the will and heart of Italian nonprofits and NGOs, the initiatives of our government to improve relations between the two states, and much more.
We have strived to always provide clarity on many topics that are not easy to interpret and to try to promote responsible, sustainable and honest tourism, as well as integrated living without bad practices by our resident and non-resident compatriots.

Since 2016 we have also strengthened the website, addressing also in English to those who, although not Italian, want to be updated on our activities and like to read the view of those who live in Kenya as foreigners and talk about it professionally, ethically and without political tendencies or double aims. And today 1 in 5 readers is not Italian. Information in the meantime has changed, we are bombarded by artificial intelligences that hearten contrived nonsense, but we still believe in the value of the word and "storytelling on the ground." Because who is there, is there and we were there 15 years ago when there was a need to rebuild a credibility to tourism in Kenya, and we are still there today, dealing with many other aspects as well: beautiful, dutiful, sad, pleasant, difficult, delicate, inconvenient, radiant. Always with the same passion and always thanks to you readers, who follow us by the thousands every day, with always new "contacts" and new testimonials of esteem.

Best wishes to us, and best wishes to you all...Italians in Kenya, Italians outside Kenya and Italians with Kenya in their hearts!