Summary
The government has allocated over two billion Kenyan shillings.
Covid had immensely affected the sector.
KRN NEWS DESK
By Stephen Okoyo
Kenyan government is looking to revive the tourism sector which was badly hit by the Covid-19 pandemic. The whole of last year, the sector suffered as a result of the international ban on overseas travel.
Early this year the government had strategically started reviving the sector. However the attempt to revive it was put off once again due to the increasing cases witnessed in the fourth wave.
Kenyan spokesperson Col (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna said that the government has rolled out a post-Covid-Economic Stimulus Programme to boost the industry.
“The Government is committed to aiding the sector to regain its status in the economy. The Government has rolled out a Post Covid-Economic Stimulus Programme in which the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has been allocated Ksh 2.29bn to support tourism,” He posted on Twitter.
On Wednesday Cabinet secretary Mutahi Kagwe warned Kenyans to be very cautious of the fourth wave.
Addressing county government, he advised them to have adequate Oxygen supply and hospital beds due to increasing victims of Delta variant. Media platforms have been reporting congestion in hospitals with some succumbing before getting medical treatment.
Earlier this month as reported by Business Daily United States embassy through their center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) official website issued a level three travel notice for Kenya being the hotspot for coronavirus.
The US embassy barred its citizens from traveling to Corona-prone countries, especially those hit by the dominant Delta variant. Kenya is still struggling to match countries with better health facilities and high vaccination rates.
The embassy was protecting its citizens from acquiring Delta variant which would provoke an outbreak in the United States.
The tourism sector in Kenya is highly influenced by natural seasonality. From January to March it’s considered the High season due to animal dispersal in search of water. Their dispersal is a result of short rains from previous months.
From April to May it’s considered low season due to high tropical rains. This makes it difficult to travel in the wild due to poor roads. However, June up to September is considered peak season.
Peak season display one of the wonders of the world, Wilder beast migration. During this time wilder beasts are migrating into Masai Mara from Serengeti Nation Park in Tanzania.
The country is likely to record a low number of international tourists, however, if the government can promote domestic tourism the sector won’t be badly affected.
