Latest news with #Malindi
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Bride and Groom Go Viral for Sharing the Unconventional Things They Did for Their Wedding
From the bridal look to the guest count, the couple kept simplicity, community and love at the forefront NEED TO KNOW Hali Oduor and Nathan Mixon opted out of a number of wedding traditions, and tied the knot in a day perfectly catered to them They wed in an outdoor coastal ceremony in Kenya, where they also hosted a collection of special events before and after the ceremony From the bridal look to guest count, the couple kept simplicity, community and love at the forefront Hali Oduor and Nathan Mixon's intimate nuptials at Beach Palace in Malindi, Kenya, were perfectly tailored to them. While they chose to forgo several wedding customs — it's a decision they say they'd happily make again. "It was important to us that our wedding felt deeply personal and meaningful, something that truly reflected who we are as a couple," the bride and groom tell PEOPLE. "Every choice we made came back to that intention. We wanted the day to feel like us from start to finish, and to tell our story in a way that felt authentic. In the end, that meant choosing to do some things in an unconventional way, and we loved every bit of it." In a TikTok that's gained over 7 million views, Oduor listed all the things they'd opted out of, starting with a makeup artist: "because no one knows my face, or how I want to feel, better than me," Oduor wrote. Also regarding her bridal look, Oduor chose a neck scarf and a practical hairstyle — rather than a veil — to best fit the wedding's coastal setting. The ceremony was held outside, and the aisle was lined with an assortment of white flowers, per Brides. The guests' chairs were arranged in a semi-circle structure to "give the feeling of an embrace with our people, our community, as if they were hugging us throughout the ceremony." Oduor didn't carry a bouquet down the aisle, nor did a wedding party precede her entrance — the couple wanted their loved ones to "relax as guests," free from the unnecessary stress that sometimes comes with a big wedding party. They also shared their day with only 35 guests to keep the moment intimate. "All of our non-traditional choices were planned," Oduor says. "I chose not to carry a bouquet because I did not want to feel awkward or distracted walking down the aisle. I wanted to be fully in the moment, not worrying about my hands or who I would hand the bouquet to." She continues: "We also knew from the beginning that we wanted to write handwritten notes to each guest. With such a small wedding, we knew every single person there deeply and uniquely, and it was important to express how much they meant to us and the impact they each had on our lives. We thanked them not only for being part of the weekend but also for their support throughout our lives." Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. All those present at the ceremony also blessed the wedding rings. The couple passed the bands around for each guest to hold and "speak a blessing over them," and thus their union "felt covered by so much love." For the post-wedding festivities, Oduor wore her mother's wedding dress — one she could dance in, though she kept her neck scarf from her ceremony look. The couple shared a meal with their guests at one long table together, and everyone in attendance received a handwritten thank-you, rather than a wedding favor, which Oduor saw as much more meaningful. They also skipped the wedding cake, which "no one noticed." Though many couples head straight to the honeymoon after the wedding concludes, Oduor and Mixon continued the festivities with their guests so they could "spend more time with the people who showed up" for them. "I loved that we stayed true to ourselves in every decision," Oduor says. "The guest count felt perfect, even though we sometimes felt pressure to have a bigger wedding and extend more invitations. Having only the people who mattered most created a once-in-a-lifetime energy I will never forget. We will probably never have that exact group of people in one place again, which made it even more special." The bride adds: "Traditions can be beautiful, but they are not mandatory. The most magical moments come when you follow what feels right for you. If there is one day in your life that should feel entirely like you, it is your wedding." Read the original article on People Solve the daily Crossword
CTV News
30-07-2025
- CTV News
Kenyan court orders exhumations in suspected doomsday-cult-related deaths
A piece of clothing lies in the bush near the forest where dozens of bodies were found in shallow graves in the village of Shakahola, near the coastal city of Malindi, in southern Kenya, on Thursday, Sept. 5, 2024. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga) NAIROBI - A Kenyan court has ordered the exhumation of bodies suspected to belong to people who were starved and suffocated in the same county where hundreds of members of a doomsday cult were found dead two years ago, prosecutors said on Wednesday. The bodies in the new case are believed to be buried in shallow graves on the outskirts of Malindi in southeastern Kenya's Kilifi County, and 11 suspects are being investigated, Kenya's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said on X. 'Investigators suspect multiple individuals were murdered through starvation and suffocation,' it said. 'The victims may have been starved and suffocated as a result of adopting and promoting extreme religious ideologies.' More than 400 bodies were exhumed from the nearby Shakahola Forest in 2023 in one of the world's worst cult-related disasters in recent history. In that case, prosecutors have alleged that cult leader Paul Mackenzie ordered his followers to starve themselves and their children to death so that they could go to heaven before the world ended. Mackenzie, who faces charges of murder and terrorism, denies the accusations against him. The prosecutor's office said people in the area of the recently-discovered graves had been unable to account for the whereabouts of several children, leading to suspicion of foul play. The court ordered the exhumations to be followed by postmortem examinations, DNA testing and toxicological analysis, it said. In April, Kenyan police also recovered two bodies and rescued 57 people who looked weak and frail from a church in the country's west. Reporting by Humphrey Malalo; Writing by George Obulutsa; Editing by Aaron Ross, Reuters
Reuters
30-07-2025
- Reuters
Kenyan court orders exhumations in suspected cult-related deaths
NAIROBI, July 30 (Reuters) - A Kenyan court has ordered the exhumation of bodies suspected to belong to people who were starved and suffocated in the same county where hundreds of members of a doomsday cult were found dead two years ago, prosecutors said on Wednesday. The bodies in the new case are believed to be buried in shallow graves on the outskirts of Malindi in southeastern Kenya's Kilifi County, and 11 suspects are being investigated, Kenya's Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions said on X. "Investigators suspect multiple individuals were murdered through starvation and suffocation," it said. "The victims may have been starved and suffocated as a result of adopting and promoting extreme religious ideologies." More than 400 bodies were exhumed from the nearby Shakahola Forest in 2023 in one of the world's worst cult-related disasters in recent history. In that case, prosecutors have alleged that cult leader Paul Mackenzie ordered his followers to starve themselves and their children to death so that they could go to heaven before the world ended. Mackenzie, who faces charges of murder and terrorism, denies the accusations against him. The prosecutor's office said people in the area of the recently-discovered graves had been unable to account for the whereabouts of several children, leading to suspicion of foul play. The court ordered the exhumations to be followed by postmortem examinations, DNA testing and toxicological analysis, it said. In April, Kenyan police also recovered two bodies and rescued 57 people who looked weak and frail from a church in the country's west.
Leader Live
31-05-2025
- General
- Leader Live
Chester Zoo welcomes two bat-eared fox sisters to facility
The two sisters, named Maasai and Malindi, have been welcomed by the zoo's conservationists after travelling more than 500 miles from a zoo in Paris, France. First images show the pair exploring their home at Chester, located in the zoo's new Heart of Africa habitat – the largest zoo development ever undertaken in the UK, spanning more than 22.5 acres in size. The species is named after its distinctive oversized ears and is endemic to the open savannahs and arid grasslands of eastern and southern Africa. In the wild, bat-eared foxes face increasing threats, largely due to habitat loss caused by agriculture, human encroachment and hunting. Zoo experts say that, in future, they plan to introduce one of sisters to a male fox and go on to play a vital role in the conservation breeding programme that is working to safeguard the species. Chester Zoo David White, team manager at Chester Zoo, said: 'It's incredibly exciting to welcome bat-eared foxes back to Chester Zoo after a 30-year hiatus and they're a wonderful addition to our new Heart of Africa habitat. 'They're a truly unique and fascinating species with some amazing adaptations. 'Their enormous ears aren't just for show – they act like satellite dishes and help the foxes detect the tiniest of movements coming from insects beneath the ground, allowing them to detect prey with pinpoint accuracy. 'They're so sensitive that they can even hear termites chewing underground.' David added that Maasai and Malindi are settling in well so far, with new housemates – a family of 12 Cape porcupines. He added: 'These two species would often come across one another in the wild, so we've recreated this right here at Chester. 'In time, we hope to introduce one of the two sisters to a male fox, with the hope that we can contribute to the European conservation breeding programme – helping to ensure there's a healthy, genetically diverse back-up population in human care. 'Like many species found in the African savannah, bat-eared foxes are under threat as their habitat becomes more fragmented as a result of human activity. MOST VIEWED 'That's why our teams are on the ground in several national parks across Kenya and Uganda safeguarding some of the continent's rarest species like northern giraffe, giant pangolins, mountain bongo and Eastern black rhino. 'By protecting these species and their habitats we're also helping many of Africa's little known species like bat-eared foxes, that share the same habitats, to go on to thrive once again.' The zoo has long been at the forefront of protecting African wildlife, from supporting the safe translocation of northern giraffes to protected national parks in Uganda, to developing cutting-edge AI trail cameras to protect giant pangolins from illegal trafficking.
Travel Daily News
13-05-2025
- Business
- Travel Daily News
Essence of Africa 2025 set to deliver immersive coastal event
Essence of Africa 2025 will return to Malindi, Kenya, combining immersive business meetings with coastal charm and sustainable tourism promotion. Following an inspiring site visit early May, organisers of Essence of Africa have confirmed plans are well underway for this year's edition, taking place on the Kenyan coast at Diamonds Malindi from 7-9 October 2025. With its lush oceanfront setting and open-air spaces, the resort and surrounding experiences, sets the stage for a powerfully immersive business event rooted in coastal charm and natural beauty. Curated by On Show Solutions and ATTA Events, Essence of Africa continues its mission to elevate African tourism through high-impact meetings between pre-qualified international buyers and top-tier African travel suppliers. The team's recent on-the-ground assessment underscored why Malindi is a destination with significant potential as a driver of sustainable regional growth. 'Come and do business at the beach!' stated Amanda Margison, co-founder of Essence of Africa. 'Hosting Essence of Africa at Diamonds Malindi allows us to welcome tourism professionals from around the world to meet on the sand, under the palm trees, with a backdrop of the Indian Ocean.' 'Essence of Africa is more than a trade show – it's an experience rooted in Malindi's vibrant coastal charm,' added Chris Mears, co-founder of Essence of Africa. 'We're bringing meaningful business to life in a setting filled with Swahili culture, hidden beach bars, boho boutiques, and ancient coastal treasures.' The upcoming edition promises up to 38 targeted quality appointments per participant over three days, with 150 buyers meeting 150 exhibiting companies. The inaugural edition of the event in 2024 attracted participants from 37 countries including North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Africa. In addition to its core matchmaking programme between buyers and sellers, attendees can look forward to thought-leadership seminars led by African industry trailblazers; networking events infused with local culture; and educational experiences across Africa hosted directly by exhibitors. As part of its rotating format across key travel hubs on the continent, Essence of Africa aims to both facilitate trade relationships and reposition how global buyers perceive African destinations beyond traditional gateways. 'This is Africa's warmth, diversity, and opportunity – all in one unforgettable place,' concluded Mears.
