Bonfire Adventures CEO Simon Kabu and his daughter Maureen Kabu were spotted enjoying a vibrant family trip in Thailand, sharing moments of joy that highlighted their close bond.
The father-daughter duo, captured in photos exploring Bangkok’s bustling markets and Phuket’s serene beaches, has become a talking point in Kenya, with social media buzzing about their relationship.
Kabu, a titan in Kenya’s tourism industry, used the trip to mentor Maureen, the rising star behind Adequate Safaris, while their wholesome interactions sparked discussions on the importance of father-daughter relationships.
The Thailand getaway, shared on Maureen’s Instagram (@Maurinekabu), showed the pair savouring street food, visiting the Grand Palace, and cruising along the Chao Phraya River.
“My dad, my mentor, showing me the world,” Maureen captioned a photo of them laughing together, reinforcing their tight-knit connection.
Simon has been vocal about empowering Maureen’s entrepreneurial journey, after gifting her three luxury Land Cruisers worth KSh 30 million in 2025 to boost her Adequate Safaris venture. “I’m not just giving her cars; I’m giving her wings to fly,” he told Tuko.co.ke during the Ngemi Festival in June 2025.
Maureen’s Adequate Safaris, launched in 2024, has quickly gained traction, offering bespoke safari experiences that rival Bonfire Adventures’ dominance. Her recognition as the “Best Rising Star CEO of the Year 2025” at the Dependable Awards now shows her impact, with observers praising her blend of innovation and her father’s mentorship.
The Thailand trip, blending leisure and business, saw Maureen scouting new tour destinations, a move Simon praised as “visionary” in a LinkedIn post. “She’s redefining African travel,” he wrote, noting their shared goal of elevating Kenya’s global tourism profile.
However, their close bond has not escaped scrutiny. Social media speculation, fuelled by Simon’s estranged wife Sarah Njoki’s 2025 divorce filings, questioned the nature of their relationship, with baseless claims of impropriety. Maureen addressed the rumours on Instagram, stating, “My dad has been my biggest mentor, shaping who I am.”
Simon dismissed the allegations as “malicious”, emphasising his role as a father. The controversy has drawn mixed reactions, with netizens defending their bond, while others fuel gossip.
The public discourse has spotlighted a broader issue: the importance of strong father-daughter relationships. Activists like Jane Wambui argue that such bonds can counter societal challenges, noting, “When fathers invest in their daughters, it reduces vulnerabilities like young women seeking validation from older men.”
Kenya’s rising femicide rates, with 87 cases reported in 2025 per FIDA-Kenya, indicate the importance of positive role models like Kabu. His support for Maureen, from gifting vehicles to co-hosting cultural events, sets an example for fatherly empowerment.
The Thailand trip, part of Bonfire Adventures’ global tour packages, also highlights Simon’s business acumen. Bonfire, valued at over $7.5 million, has won Africa’s Leading Travel Agency Award multiple times, with Simon and Maureen’s recent accolades cementing their influence.