By Nsunjo Erica
President Uhuru during a virtual meeting with Kenyan marathoner Eliud Kipchoge, Tourism and Forestry CS Najib Balala, and Narok Governor Samuel Tunai said Kenya’s tourist sites are safe, open and ready for visitors.
According to President Uhuru, Kenya is ready to receive tourists and, encouraged local and foreign travelers to take advantage of the prevailing low rates to visit the country’s famous tourist sites.
“I want to take this opportunity to encourage every single Kenyan to take advantage and to travel…You can travel, you can move,” the President said.
Kenya’s Tourism and Forestry industry chose Mr. Kipchoge to represent the country as a ‘Magical Kenya’ new goodwill brand ambassador for tourism.
Kenya has not been receiving foreign and local tourists for months since the recording of its first case, however, following the president’s instructions to reopen the airports and the economy, Kenya is set to receive visitors.
The tourism and hospitality industry has been hit hard following the closure of tourist sites, cancellation and suspension of flights that put a complete stop entry and exit of any tourists in and out of the country. The tourism industry has lost Millions.
The President urged Kenyans however, encouraged all visitors and the general public to continue observing the Covid-19 containment protocols saying safety is not a government responsibility but an individual choice.
“Safety is not really just a Government issue. It is an individual choice. To remain safe and by so doing, keep everybody else safe,” he said.
President Uhuru Kenyatta expressed satisfaction with the measures being taken by stakeholders in the hospitality sector to protect tourists from Covid-19.
Currently, as of 10th Aug 2020, Kenya recorded 492 new COVID-19 cases and 14 of which were foreigners pushing the total caseload in the country to 26,928.
According to Health CS Mutahi Kagwe during a tour to Kericho, the county announced 534 recoveries which now push the total number of recoveries in the country to 13,485.
Kenya as a country also recorded three fatalities, pushing the total number of fatalities in the country so far to 423.