A MODERN, RECONSTRUCTED HOTEL ON THE MAIN ROAD FROM NAIROBI TO THE COASTAL CITY OF MOMBASA WAS OPENED BY THE KENYAN MINISTER OF TOURISM, MR. ACHIENG ONEKO ON FRIDAY.

THE HOTEL, THE TSAVO INN, REPLACES AN OLD HOTEL ON THE SAME SITE AND HAS ALREADY BECOME KNOWN IN KENYA AS AN OASIS IN THE DESERT, FOR IT COMES AS A WELCOME SIGHT TO MOTORISTS TRAVELLING THE LONG DUSTY ROUTE BETWEEN THE TWO CITIES.

THE TSAVO INN IS SET IN THE MIDDLE OF THE TSAVO NATIONAL PARK. THE SURROUNDING LOCALITY IS CALLED MTITO ANDEI -- MEANING THE FOREST OF EAGLES, AND THE MANAGEMENT RIGHTLY CLAIM THE HOTEL HAS ALL MODERN AMENITIES -- THESE EVEN INCLUDE A LUXURIOUS SWIMMING POOL WITH AN ORNATE WATERFALL - FOUNTAIN. FOR THE MOTORIST WHO IS JUST PASSING THROUGH THERE IS A SERVICE STATION WHERE HE CAN BUY PETROL AT ANY HOUR OF THE DAY OR NIGHT. IN HIS SPEECH AT THE FORMAL OPENING CEREMONY OF THE NEW HOTEL THE MINISTER BROUGHT GOOD NEWS -- BOTH TO THE MANAGEMENT AND TO MOTORISTS USING THE HIGHWAY. HE SAID THAT THE ROAD, HITHERTO A DUSTY, UNMADE STRETCH OF HIGHWAY, WOULD SOON BE MODERNIZED AND BECOME A FAST BITUMEN COVERED ROAD. HE ADDED THAT ROADS AND ACCOMMODATION WERE HIGH ON THE LIST OF PRIORITIES IN KENYA'S NEW DEVELOPMENT PLAN.

THE TSAVO INN -- A HAVEN FOR TRAVELLERS, AND A FINE NEW ASSET FOR TOURISTS IN THE GAME VIEWING AREA AROUND THE FOREST OF EAGLES.