Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro has fired a warning to hotels in Kilifi and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) over the alleged harassment of beach operators near hotels in Watamu, Kilifi County.
According to reports, officers from the service were being used by the management of the hotels to evict the business owners operating near the facilities.
The business owners lamented that the increased harassment from the KWS officers was barring them from interacting with tourists to make sales and earn a living.
Complaints were also received by the county governor Gideon Mung'aro who vowed to revoke licenses issued to hotels barring the business owners from operating.
Mung'aro speaking over the weekend emphasised that his administration would not allow large investors to crowd out small entrepreneurs, depriving them off their primary source of livelihood.
"We cannot arrest our young men guiding tourists, I have talked to hotel managers and we have agreed that all small businesses should belong to the citizens. If any hotel defies this order I will revoke its license," he stated.
The county boss emphasised that Kilifi was only interested in investors who were committed to the development of the county not edging out small business holders.
Mung'aro was in the company of President William Ruto who was touring the region. On his part, President William Ruto also cautioned KWS officers against harassing small traders.
The Head of State emphasised that KWS was a state institution established to serve the people and none of the officers should harass Kenyans going about their daily activities to earn an honest living.
"I am directing KWS to work with the leaders to see how to resolve the issue," Ruto stated.
Kilifi is among other coastal counties that attract thousands of tourists annually. Some of the attraction sites in the county include; Kilifi Festival, Watamu Marine National Park and the Mnarani Ruins.
It is also home to some of luxurious hotels in the country. These hotels attract small goods traders who sell their items to foreigners in the area.
