Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on Saturday revealed that the government is currently drawing strategies to woo back billionaire investors who have recently fled the country citing an unfavourable business environment.
Speaking in Malindi, CS Mutua said the government is particularly concerned about investors departing Malindi, Kilifi County which he said, has gone on to cripple the country's Tourism industry.
โMalindi has declined in recent years, mainly due to the departure of several prominent investors, predominantly of Italian origin,โ the CS stated.
Mutua remarked that since taking over the Tourism docket, he had negotiated with Italian investors to entice them back to the Coastal region.
Speaking during the event, CS Mutua revealed that Ruto's administration had identified flight connectivity as one of the strategies the government can adopt to revive the ailing Tourism sector.
โEfforts are ongoing to improve flight connectivity between Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) and the Coastal cities of Malindi and Watamu for smoother travel,โ a statement from the CS read in part.
Mutua remarked that this was part of a broader strategy to position Malindi and Watamu as Kenyaโs premier entertainment towns.
Additionally, through the Ministry of Interior, plans were underway to establish new police stations to enhance security.
The third strategy entails rolling advanced surveillance systems as a measure to beef up security following several kidnappings of foreign nationals at the Coast.
This he said, will be achieved through collaborating with local law enforcement and engaging the community to improve security.
โI urge stakeholders in the Tourism industry to intensify their marketing efforts without compromising on quality standards,โ Mutua added.
The CS also emphasised the need to equip all tourist facilities in Kenya with defibrillators and have at least two trained staff members on-site to administer first aid in case of emergencies.
