Deputy President William Ruto on Tuesday made a joke about Weston Hotel at an event in Nairobi.
Speaking during the launch of the National Tourism Blueprint and the Wildlife strategy 2030 at the KICC, the DP highlighted an omission that Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala had made when listing prestigious hotels within Nairobi.
"If I were to award marks for the presentation, I would give CS Balala an A for passion and A for facts," he began.
"He even mentioned all the Hotel brands in Nairobi, even though he forgot to mention the famous Weston Hotel," his remark made the room erupt in laughter.
Here is the video:
DP @WilliamsRuto awards CS @tunajibu Marks
A for passion
A for Facts
Remarks: In mentioning hotel marks he forgot the famous Weston Hotel. pic.twitter.com/ELuqLAeNlO— Dennis Itumbi, HSC (@OleItumbi) June 13, 2018
During the event attended by outgoing US Envoy to Kenya Robert Godec and Samburu Governor Moses Lenolkulal, the Deputy President further divulged that the strategy launched would address threats to wildlife and the environment.
"Our rich biodiversity gives us the edge as a tourism destination. We have a responsibility to protect indigenous animals, plants, habitats and ecosystems and maintain its purity for future generations. Despite this, our wildlife and habitats face challenges: climate change, population growth, pollution, poaching and human-wildlife conflict," he explained.
He added that the National Wildlife Strategy contained innovative benefit-sharing and conflict resolution mechanisms through partnerships with communities and explored opportunities in land use for wildlife corridors and dispersal areas.
"We commit to implementation of the flagship programmes in the strategy, including a conservation master plan; enhanced partnership; establishment of an innovation and research hub to value our wildlife and derive maximum benefit," he stated.
Ruto expressed optimism in the growth of the tourism sector adding that it contributed 12 percent to the country's GDP while providing employment to nine percent of Kenyans.
[caption caption="DP Ruto and CS Balala on Tuesday"]
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"Last year, international arrivals grew by 9.8 percent outpacing the global average of seven percent. We can do more.
"The Tourism Blueprint redirects focus on four key pillars: product, infrastructure, investment and marketing. The latter offers a persuasive element, hits the right nerve with tourists and boosts arrivals," he elucidated.
[caption caption="DP Ruto during the launch"]
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[caption caption="The launch at KICC"]
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Ruto has on several occasions admitted to having interest in Weston Hotel. In 2014, the hotel was in the limelight over reports of grabbing land belonging to Lang'ata Primary School.
Pupils of the school held protests, demanding to get their playground back, even pulling down the wall meant to demark the land.
Here is the video courtesy of KTNNews:
[video:]
