Leaders from the coastal region have assured tourists and investors that Kenya in general and the coastal region in particular is a safe destination.
Tourism is the economic backbone of Mombasa, Kwale, Kilifi and Lamu counties and supports local livelihoods, drives the hospitality sector, and stimulates related industries like agriculture and transport.
The leaders have condemned recent statements by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua that tourists and investors should avoid the country in the runup to the 2027 general election.
Gachagua the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader has urged tourists and investors to stay away from Kenya, citing rising insecurity that he blamed squarely on the national government.
They said the tourism sector should not remain stagnant simply because the country is hurtling towards a high-stake general election.
The leaders were speaking in Mombasa after a high-level consultative meeting to discuss the future of the Coast region and strengthen collaboration towards sustainable economic growth and shared prosperity.
Led by Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho (Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs) and Salim Mvurya (Youth Affairs, Creative Economy and Sports), the leaders said politicians should desist from issuing travel advisories and precautions to visitors and investors.
Others were Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Governors Abdulswamad Shariff Nassir (Mombasa), Gideon Mung’aro (Kilifi) and Issa Timamy (Lamu), senators Mohamed Faki (Mombasa) and Stewart Madzayo (Kilifi) and a host of MPs.
Joho, Mvurya and Kingi are also past two-term governors of Mombasa, Kwale and Kilifi counties.
CS Joho said Gachagua’s remarks that tourists and investors should stay away from Kenya over insecurity concerns was reckless and economic sabotage.
He said Kenya has built a strong international reputation through its wildlife, white sandy beaches, rich culture and hospitality noting that negative portrayals could discourage potential visitors.
“As leaders from the coast region, we condemn in the strongest terms possible the reckless and unfortunate remarks made by Gachagua, which appear calculated to undermine the tourism sector, the lifeblood of our regional economy, and discourage investment in the coast,” said Joho.
Joho said such statements are not only irresponsible but also detrimental to the livelihoods of millions of people who depend directly and indirectly on tourism, hospitality, transport, trade and other sectors driven by a thriving coastal economy.
He said for decades there have been individuals who have viewed the coastal region through the lens of ‘’exclusion and political expediency often seeking to destabilize its tourism driven economy for selfish political gains.
“This pattern of divisive politics has, for decades, denied our people the opportunities and recognition they deserve,” he said, adding that the remarks come at a time when the national government is attempting to attract more visitors.
He went on ‘our people will no longer be distracted by politics of fear, division or economic sabotage’.
Joho said coastal leaders are united in safeguarding the fragile tourism industry, protecting jobs and creating an enabling environment that welcomes local and foreign investors.
CS Joho says it’s unfortunate that the remarks come in the backdrop of a recent announcement by Nigerian tycoon Ali Dankote that he is set to put up a $17 billion (Sh2.2 trillion) mega oil refinery in Lamu.
Dangote’s refinery is projected to process about 700,000 barrels per day, making it the largest oil refinery in East Africa.
CS Mvurya said the unfortunate remarks by the former Deputy President came at a time local leaders were deliberating on how best to work together to fully exploit the region’s immense potential in tourism and the blue economy sector with a view to occasioning job creation, poverty eradication and improved socio-economic status.
“We should all be committed to a concerted effort to create an enabling environment conducive to sustainable tourism development,” said Mvurya.
Governor Nassir said the devolved governments in the coastal region are involved in a new strategy of attracting tourists from outside European nations that have traditionally been major sources of visitors.
“We are working closely with global airlines in a bid to open direct flights through open sky policy,” he said.
He said open sky policy allows international airlines to operate direct flights into Moi International Airport in Mombasa.
“This initiative bypasses the need for tourists to connect through Nairobi, significantly easing travel and driving tourism growth in the coastal region,” he said.
Airlines like Ethiopian Airlines, Flydubai, and various charter flights already utilize direct routes, bringing tourists closer to coastal destinations.
He said leaders should champion keeping the tourism sector insulated from partisan politics to drive economic growth.
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro said the utterances by Gachagua are irresponsible, undermine the country’s international reputation, and threaten the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans who depend on the tourism sector.
“Tourism remains a key economic pillar for the coast, and any attempt to sabotage it is an attack on our economy, businesses, and families,” said Mung’aro.
According to the ministry of tourism the country recorded about 2.7 million international tourist arrivals in 2025.
The national government is targeting five million international arrivals by 2028, a goal that depends on sustaining global confidence in Kenya as a safe, secure and attractive destination.
By Hussein Abdullahi
