President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday, August 8, held a Zoom call with Narok Governor Samuel Tunai, CS Najib Balala and Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge which was streamed live on YouTube.
President Kenyatta was at State House while the rest were at the Maasai Mara preparing for an event with Kipchoge who was recently named the Magical Kenya destination ambassador.
Balala told the head of state that the marathon legend would run 13km around the Mara and would be broadcasted live. The marathon champion is preparing to defend his world record at the London Marathon on October 4.
Uhuru in his comical nature threw a jab at Governor Tunai asking him to join Kipchoge and the rangers in the exercise.
“It's wonderful seeing you against that beautiful backdrop of the Maasai Mara one of the wonders of the whole world and to see you all enjoying yourselves and enjoying this magnificent gift God has given Kenya and to know more importantly you are safe,” Uhuru prepared to land his punchline.
“I've heard Balala and my friend Tunai talk about the animals;leopards,lions and cheetahs. For me I’m not worried about Eliud, he’ll be able to escape. Tunai and Balala you have a problem,” he quipped.
Later Balala introduced the head of state who was in a jovial mood to the team which was helping plan the event.
In a conversation with Lt. Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei who is the president of Athletics Kenya, Uhuru charged him with ensuring Governor Tunai and the CS were safe in another veiled attack.
“Chunga Tunai na hiyo tumbo yake, pia Balala wasikuliwe na wanyama,” President Kenyatta told Tuwei.
Towards the end of the call, the head of state reiterated that the Narok governor should take the challenge to join the running team seriously.
The event was planned to promote both local and international tourism following the reopening of Kenyan skies.
The president allocated Ksh1 billion to the Maasai Mara Game Reserve to improve conservation efforts.
CS Najib Balala assured Uhuru that the game rangers would receive directly on their mobile phones and not through third parties.
In July, Kenya was awarded the Safe Travel Stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) which is a forum for the travel and tourism industry.
The accreditation came in recognition of the country's adoption of the global health and hygiene standardized protocols dubbed 'Safe Travels' in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Making the announcement during the launch of the Tourism and Travel Health and Safety Protocols in Kenya, Tourism CS Najib Balala was optimistic in reopening the tourism industry in the country.
“I am delighted to announce that Kenya has been listed among the 80 global destinations certified and authorised to use the “World Travel and Tourism Council Safe Travel Stamp” together with our Magical Kenya Logo.
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