By Dorothy Musyoka
In a landmark move to bolster the tourism sector and create more job opportunities, the Ministry of Interior and National Administration has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife, and Heritage.
The partnership is geared toward enhancing the security of tourists visiting Kenya, with the aim of boosting annual foreign tourist arrivals from the current 2 million to 5 million by 2027, and to 10 million by 2032.
“Our strategic focus to grow the number of inbound tourists calls for multisectorial collaboration and cooperation,” stated CS Miano.
The MoU was signed by Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, and Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Hon. Rebecca Miano, during an official ceremony attended by senior officials from both ministries.
Principal Secretaries Dr. Raymond Omollo (Interior) and John Ololtuaa (Tourism), Inspector General of Police Mr. Douglas Kanja, and Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat were among the key witnesses.
This agreement will see increased cooperation between the National Police Service (NPS) and the Tourism Police Unit (TPU) in ensuring the safety and well-being of both local and international visitors.
“The agreement, which was signed by CS Kindiki Kithure and his counterpart Rebecca Miano, details the resources and logistical support that will be availed to the Tourism Police Unit (TPU) through the Tourism Fund to safeguard the security and well-being of local and foreign visitors,” stated the interior ministry.
The Tourism Fund will provide additional resources and logistical support to strengthen the TPU, making tourist hotspots safer and more welcoming.
His counterpart, Hon. Miano, echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that tourism plays a critical role in Kenya’s economy and contributes to job creation across the country.
With the agreement now in place, Kenya is positioned to deliver a safer and more enriching experience to tourists while aiming for unprecedented growth in the sector over the coming decade.