Wangechi Purity

The newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Rebecca Miano, has outlined her plans to address the classification of local hospitality establishments to ensure they meet international standards.

She affirmed that her ministry will collaborate with stakeholders in the catering industry to enhance tourism activities.

Additionally, Miano emphasized their focus on promoting domestic and international tourism by leveraging the country’s diverse scenic attractions, including wildlife, through the onboarding of new investors.

“The task before us at the Ministry is humongous. I’m sure that my colleague Dr Alfred Mutua will readily admit as much. As the dynamics of change continue to dictate how to and how not to do things, we have the task of re-imagining how best to attract tourists in and out of season,” she said during the handover ceremony in Nairobi.

Miano, the former Cabinet Secretary for Trade and Investments prior to President William Ruto’s recent cabinet reorganization, reaffirmed his commitment to diligently complete all ongoing projects that were initiated by his predecessor, CS Alfred Mutua.

“At the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, I had the opportunity to aid the on-boarding of investors in the hospitality industry. As I take the button from my colleague Dr Alfred Mutua, I commit to seeing to full completion the programmes he initiated during his tenure here,” she assured.

 

The newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Tourism announced the Ministry’s intention to operationalize Ronald Ngala Utalii College.

Meanwhile, the former holder of the position, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, expressed confidence in the abilities of the new appointee, Ms. Miano, to excel in her new role.

“Rebbeca Miano is a great Person She is flexible, the ministry is proud to have her. Am happy that she is taking over this ministry,” remarked Mutua.

Despite recent anti-government protests, the tourism industry has experienced a surge in bookings.

In 2023, the sector contributed a substantial Sh353 billion to the national economy, with aspirations to generate an annual revenue of Sh700 billion in the future.

Furthermore, the industry aims to attract 3 million international visitors this year, surpassing the 2 million visitors recorded at the end of 2023.