Kellya Buri Background
Kelly is a dual Lebanese/British national and has lived between Kenya and Lebanon since 2010. After the civil war wound down, she became an entrepreneur in the hospitality industry, opening a hotel and restaurant in the Lebanese Mountains and then working as the first real estate agent in Beirut.
Career at Tetra Pak
Kelly spent 18 years working for Tetra Pak in more than 60 countries with School Feeding and Dairy Development programmes, primarily working as a government lobbyist for Tetra Pak in difficult countries.
During this time at Tetra Pak, Kelly was given many awards:
- 2001 Middle East Regional Entrepreneur Award – Tetra Pak
- 2005 Global Ruben Rausing Entrepreneur Award – Tetra Pak
- 2006 UNDP Global Humanitarian Business Award for her pioneering work in creating sustainable value chains in developing countries
- 2010 Honored by the Iranian government with a tree planted in her name in Tehran for her efforts in the dairy value chain and developing the School Milk Programme
- 2013 Child Rights in Business Award for her ethical engagement with children within corporate frameworks
Move to Kenya
In 2010, Kelly came to Kenya as the Sub-Saharan Director for Tetra Pak, managing their dairy projects and government lobbying across the continent.
In 2016, she opened an upmarket Bed and Breakfast with a traditional Lebanese restaurant. Hob House was also featured in January 2020 on CNN Africa Market Place, where they were highlighted as one of the restaurants creating disruptive business strategies and an upmarket B&B in East Africa.
Advocacy & Leadership
Kelly is also an outspoken advocate and speaker on “Conscious Business”, training companies to work more ethically with Trust as the guiding light in the culture of their corporate workspace.
She is a passionate advocate for the environment and uses her business as an example to show others how you can work in an ethical and sustainable way.
After 30 years building networks across the world in countries that were difficult to set up and work in (Afghanistan, Yemen, Algeria, Morocco, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, Pakistan, and many others), Kelly has honed invaluable skills in developing and sustaining high-level relationships. She has mastered the art of creating trustworthy connections, which is critical when working to develop yourself and your career.
Hob House Coast
In 2023, Kelly wanted to bring to the coast a fine dining experience with Levantine food. Hob House Coast opened in 2024 and is enjoying great success as a wonderfully unique dining experience in Malindi.
“As the first truly Levantine restaurant on the coast of Kenya and in Malindi, Hob House is on a mission to introduce the flavours of the Levant and at the same time have accommodation that captures the essence of the old Swahili town ensuring that our small contribution adds to the global push to preserving our planet.
As East Africa’s first environmentally conscious Levantine restaurant and hotel, we take pride in sourcing locally, reducing waste, and partnering with like-minded businesses that share our commitment to sustainability. Join us for a culinary journey that’s as good for your taste buds as it is for the Earth.”
