NAIROBI THRUSHES ELGEYO MARAKWET 7 GOALS IN NEW COUNTIES TOURNAMENT

The Kasarani Sports Arena in Nairobi Kenya has been a buzz of activity from the beginning of the week as it plays host to the  the County Assembly Sports Forum (CASA) previously  Kenya Inter-Municipalities Sports and Cultural Association (KIMSCA). The inaugural sporting event which has seen participation by 44 county assemblies members and staff was late Monday afternoon officially opened by the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya Hon. William Samoe Ruto who hailed it as one that would help spearhead the government current agenda of uniting Kenyans. Hon William Ruto also reiterated that the sporting event is vital for knowledge sharing among the Members of County Assemblies and will in future lobby to have the annual event recognized in law by sponsoring a bill to the Senate. The opening football match between Nairobi County and Marakwet County FC saw the host county thrush the visiting team 7 goals to nil. Other games played on tuesday saw Vihiga County Beat Murang’a County 9-0, Nyandarua beat Wajir 2-0, Mombasa 6 Elgeyo Marakwet 0 and a barren draw for the match between Vihiga and Turkana County.

Deputy President Hon .William Ruto after taking a penalty kick with Nairobi county Speaker Hon Beatrice Elachi. Images courtesy of Munga Vincent

The event continues and will be officially closed on Friday 1st September 2018.

Deputy President Hon William Ruto making speech flanked by Chairperson of CAF Hon Johnson Osoi (Behind), Chair CASA Peter Imwatok (right) and PS Devolution Ministry Mr. Charles T. Sunkuli. Images courtesy of Munga Vincent

Deputy President Taking penalty with Nairobi County Speaker Hon Beatrice Elachi as goal keeper. Images courtesy of Munga Vincent

Tana River county participating in volleyball match. Images courtesy of Munga Vincent

 

KENYA FARMERS MEET DUBAI

A past conference held last year in Dubai. Images Courtesy of farmlandgrab.org

Kenyan farmer tends to her maize plantation. Images Courtesy of Google

The third edition of the Meet the Farmers conference will take place at the Tribe Hotel in Westlands Nairobi Kenya on the 4th September 2018. The forum which connects Kenyans farmers to investors, agricultural experts, and financiers based in the United Arab Emirates, Dubai and the Gulf Cooperation Council will aim to facilitate exports of various agricultural exports to the said entities, technical assistance in commercialization of Agri-businesses, and injection of direct ofreign investment through provision of loan facilities to farmers who wish to borrow the same.

Since 2005 exports from Kenya to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has grown at double digits (16.44%) with 2009 recording the highest rate of exports (41.7%) to reach Ksh 10.7 Billion this according to the Economic Survey Report 2010. This has mainly been attributed to growth in exports of flower products to the Emirates; a nation which in future hopes to surpass Rotterdam; the Netherlands as the largest flower market and the short flight distance compared to exports to Europe and the United States (It take 4 Hours of flight from Kenya to UAE compared to over 20 hour flights to European countries.

The renewed interest in horticultural product exports by the UAE from Kenya and which the forum hopes to increase is welcome boast to Kenyans who wish to seek employment opportunities in agricultural exports.

ATWOLI URGES DPP TO PROSECUTE DISREGARD LSK CHARADE

“…..Let them demolish all buildings built on Raparian Land…. Let all those who are corrupt be rounded up and taken to court….. I want to congratulate the young man Nordin Haji- The Director of Public Prosecutions- Kenya- for the work he is doing. Let  him even come and arrest those of us implicated in graft at NSSF (National Social Secuity Fund – Kenya) and I hear someone saying that due process of the law should be followed and these same people are using the same law to walk free…..” – COTU ( Central Organization of Trade Unions – Kenya) Boss Francis Atwoli during the official opening of TUEFA (Trade Unions of East Africa Conference) a caucus bringing together trade union representatives from across East Africa at a Nairobi Hotel late yesterday afternoon.

 

This is in reply to calls by the Law Society of Kenya (LSK) calling for due process of law to be followed even when making such arrests. Alluding to the arrests of Chairman of National Land Commission Prof Swazuri on friday evening. A time that denied the suspect time to apply for bond and thereby escape night behind custody.

SEC GEN OF AFRICA UNION(ATU) DURING REGIONAL PREPARATORY MEETING FOR ITU

“…..It is a great honour and pleasure for me to welcome you to this important preparatory meeting for ITU PP-18 and to thank you most sincerely for having responded positively to our invitation. This meeting represents the final stage of Africa’s preparations to the forthcoming ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP-18), scheduled to take place in Dubai, United Arab Emirates from 29 October – 16
November, 2018. The discussions must be considered most significant as they will no doubt encompass the wide- ranging strategies and decisions to be adopted by the Conference. Indeed we cannot also lose sight of the outcome of the last Conference held in Busan Korea in 2014 which has been under implementation by the various sectors of ITU. From the wider regional ICT development strategies, close collaboration in the implementation of the 2014 conference outcome has been rewarding with countries supporting the implementation process. Let me seize this opportunity to express our gratitude to the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology and the Communications Authority of Kenya not only for the collaboration in hosting this meeting and assisting with logistical support but also for the support we have received by hosting the ATU headquarters for the last couple of years. As our host, the Kenyan administration has always provided ATU tremendous support in many areas for which the Union is truly grateful. May I also thank our valued partners – ITU, in particular, the BDT Sector headed by Mr. Brahima Sanou and the African Regional Office, headed by Mr. Andrew Rugege for their continued technical and material support we have continued to receive as a Union and for which has a gone a long way in facilitating in the delivery of our mandate. In particular, we recognize and truly appreciate the technical contribution towards this meeting and the last three preparatory meetings for PP-18. Over the years, we have cooperated closely on a number of projects including the extensive
WRC, WTSA, WTDC and currently PP-18 preparatory meetings,assistance to digital migration for our member States as well building capacity for our membership. We salute you!

Guest of Honour, Ladies and Gentlemen,
As you all may recall, the last three preparatory meetings held in Zimbabwe (July 2017), Nigeria (March 2018) and Algeria (June 2018) in the last one year have been very productive thus culminating in a number of regional proposals to the conference and for which this last meeting will give a final review ready for submission to ITU. Basically, the proposals centered on the main key issues of interest to Africa that included ICT emerging issues, Policies and Legal Issues, Cyber-security; ITU legal Instruments (CS/CV, ITR, …) ITU Strategic and financial plans, Consideration of ITU Council
WGs reports; Candidatures for ITU high positions, RRB and ITU council membership; and Others Matters.
The draft African Common proposals that you will consider at this meeting are the culmination of the excellent coordination work carried out by the Chairs of the four working groups created at the Victoria Falls meeting, we want to appreciate and recognize their efforts. During this meeting Members will particularly focus on the pending proposals as well as any new proposal and will agree on the coordination mechanisms to ensure the success of the Africa participation at the Dubai conference. In conclusion, I am happy to say that this gathering is yet a further
endeavor to realize one of ATU’s core objectives of Global Decision Making (GDM), whose implementation has seen commendable results in such meetings as ITU PP-14, WRC-15, WTSA-16, WTDC- 17 and several RRCs. With the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference (PP6 18) in view, I hasten to urge you to continue to reflect on effective
coordination of the African Common Proposals for the conference.
We at ATU pledge to continue our coordination work as a region and do so more consistently and with greater effort and support from our Member States. This should include ensuring our participation through a coordinated approach in all the activities of ITU. It is therefore my wish that this meeting comes out with the results
reflecting the aspirations of the African people ready to shape the decisions to be taken by PP-18 including full support to African candidatures to ITU elective positions.
I wish you every success in your deliberations and an enjoyable stay
here in Nairobi.

Thank for your attention,
Merci beaucoup
Asante Sana
Shukran…..”

CA CHAIRMAN REMARKS OF THE PREPARATORY MEETING FOR THE 2018 INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATION UNION PLENIPOTENTIARY CONFERENCE ON 13TH AUGUST 2018, NAIROBI

 

 

 

“……Mr. Joe Mucheru, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Information,
Communications and Technology,
Mrs. Fatma Hirsi Mohamed, Principal Secretary, State Department for
Broadcasting and Telecommunications, Ministry of ICT,
Mr. Brahima Sanou, Director, Telecommunications Development
Bureau, ITU,
Mr. Abdoulkarim Soumaila, Secretary General of the African
Telecommunications Union,
Mr. Francis Wangusi, Director General of the Communications
Authority of Kenya,
Representatives of regional and international organizations present,
Distinguished delegates,
Invited guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Good morning,
I am happy to join you today at this 4th African Regional Preparatory Meeting for the
2018 International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference. On
behalf of the Board of Directors of the Communications Authority of Kenya, I wish, in a special way to welcome you all to Nairobi, also known as the city in the sun.
At the very outset, I wish to laud the Government of Kenya for hosting this event and the African Telecommunications Union (ATU) for marshaling the continent to craft common proposals for articulation in the upcoming ITU Plenipotentiary Conference.

The ITU, as you are aware, is a membership organization that relies primarily on the
various perspectives of its stakeholders to effectively discharge its global mandate of
enabling the use ICTs for socio-economic development.
Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
The ICT sector has been identified as an enabler of Africa’s socio-economic development with immense potential to turn around the livelihoods of the region’s over one billion citizens. Indeed, ICTs are now key drivers of Africa’s economic growth. It is therefore incumbent upon policy makers gathered here to ensure that the ICT sector is nurtured to contribute more to the region’s development agenda.

As the fastest growing mobile phone market, a whole new industry has emerged in
Africa. Mobile banking has enhanced digital financial inclusion to levels never witnessed before. In Kenya for instance, it is difficult to imagine what life would be without mobile money. ICTs are now the engine driving enhanced access to health, education, agriculture, and job creation. This is the new reality in most countries in the African region.
While Information and Communication Technologies have afforded us new possibilities to addressing pressing societal problems, there is still a great proportion of citizens that still have difficulties in accessing crucial information in forms they can understand to improve their lives.
And that is why Governments and regulators alike must seize this moment and put in place relevant interventions and policies to enhance the adoption of ICTs. It is heartening to note that most governments in the region are taking the necessary steps to ensure thatuniversal access becomes a reality.

Guest of honour, ladies and gentlemen,
It is no secret that geographical, political, and sometimes religious differences have often presented a challenge in mapping out and formulating continental plans of action. This forum, therefore, must help us find compromises on matters of mutual interest for articulation at the ITU Plenipotentiary Conference scheduled to take place later in the year. Africa must speak with a united voice at this important meeting. If Africa does not make its voice heard on issues that matter to her, the continent risks being relegated to a mere spectator at the global decision making platforms, with serious ramifications on the future of ICTs in the region.
As I conclude, ladies and gentlemen, I wish you fruitful deliberations. I also take this
opportunity to wish our guests from across the continent and beyond, a memorable stay in Kenya.
With those few remarks, allow me to welcome Mrs. Fatma Hirsi Mohamed, the Principal Secretary for Broadcasting and Telecommunications of the Republic of Kenya, to make a few remarks and thereafter invite the guest of honour to address us.

 

Thank you for your attention

KRA and DCI Statement on Combating Tax Evasion and Counterfeits

Charge Sheet Implicating two KRA officials on pocession of counterfeit Products oxygene.co.ke

Charge Sheet Implicating two KRA officials on pocession of counterfeit Products oxygene.co.ke

Charge Sheet Implicating two KRA officials on pocession of counterfeit Products. IMAGE Courtesy oxygene.co.ke

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) wish to restate their joint commitment to deepen collaboration in combating tax evasion and corruption involving collusion between taxpayers and KRA staff. The collaboration focuses on varied aspects including the management of Customs clearance operations and the tackling of illicit trade and both importation and local manufacturer level.
In this regard, the DCI and KRA wish to announce the arraignment in court of three Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) officials and one KRA official on charges of concealment and improper declaration of goods imported through the Port of Mombasa, contrary to section 202(a) of the East African Community Act 2004..
The individuals concerned are KRA’s Erick Micheni, while on KPA’s part those arrested include Tom Oyugi, Enock Omondi and William Langat all of whom are charged jointly with other persons not before court with concealing imported goods worth over Ksh6 million. According to the charge sheet, the accused on diverse dates between 31st July and 4th August this year concealed goods at a KPA shed at the Embakasi Inland Deport in Nairobi, with the intention to subsequently remove them without following prescribed processes.
Muchemi who is an ICT officer at KRA, is charged with a second count of concealing an assortment of imported goods on diverse dates over the same period. He is also additionally charged on a third count with being in possession of counterfeit goods contrary to section 32 (A) as read with section 35 (1) of the Anti-Counterfeit Act of 2008.
More interventions geared towards combating tax evasion and corruption in tax collection are in progress

“NAKURU TOWN RENTAL YIELD OF 6.1% AND TOTAL RETURN OF 14.9% IN THE REAL ESTATE SECTOR – CYTONN REPORT”

NAIROBI, KENYA, AUGUST 13, 2018

Cytonn has today released their Nakuru Real Estate Investment Opportunity Report, which highlights that the real estate sector in Nakuru Town records the lowest rental yields among selected cities and towns in Kenya, with an average rental yield of 6.1%, compared to 8.6%, 8.4%, 8.1% and 7.8%, For Nyeri, Mombasa, Nairobi and Kisumu, respectively. The real estate sector in the town recorded total returns of 14.9%. For the specific themes, Mixed Use Developments (MUDs), had the highest returns, recording average rental yields of 8.9%, retail, commercial office and residential themes recorded average rental yields of 5.8%, 5.4%, and 4.2%, respectively.

“We have a neutral outlook on the performance of the real estate sector in Nakuru. However, the market has pockets of value in Mixed Use Developments, which have attractive returns with average rental yields of 8.9%, 2.8% points higher than the market average of 6.1%,” said Johnson Denge, Cytonn’s Senior Manager, Regional Markets when speaking about the overall opportunity in real estate in Nakuru Town. ”The performance of the real estate sector in the Nakuru Town is mainly bolstered by (i) Positive Economic Growth – According to the World Bank Survey 2015, Nakuru County GDP per Capita stands at USD 1,413, which is 4^th highest in Kenya after Kiambu, Nyeri and Kajiado, (ii) Devolution – that has opened up Nakuru Town, attracting government institutions, private investors, and entrepreneurs to the county, (iii) Positive Demographics – as population has been growing at on average 3.1% per annum, compared to a Kenyan average of 2.6% p.a, and (iv) Infrastructural Development – In recent years such as the expansion of the Nakuru Nairobi Highway, and upgrading of roads linking several suburbs in the Town, ” noted John Keya, Research Assistant, Cytonn Investments.
Speaking on the performance of various real estate themes, Nancy Murule, Senior Research Analyst at Cytonn Investments, noted that “for the residential sector, the opportunity is in 3-bed apartments in both the high end and mid end segment in areas such as Milimani, Section 58 and Naka. The units record average rental yields of 5.0% and 5.5%, respectively, higher than the market average of 4.2% as well as high-annualized uptakes of 22.9% and 39.7%, respectively. For the commercial sector, the opportunity lies in Mixed Use Developments which have high occupancy rates of on average 81.6%, 16.6% higher than conventional office space at 65.0%, thus high yields of on average, 8.9% as compared to office at 5.4%. For land and site and service schemes, the opportunity is in areas such as Kiamunyi and Milimani that have a capital appreciation of on average 11.6% and 10.7%, respectively, as compared to a market average of 8.8%.”

Out of the five real estate themes under evaluation in Nakuru Town, two themes, that is MUDs and land have a positive outlook, two themes that is retail and the commercial office sectors have a negative outlook while one theme, that is residential has a neutral outlook, thus our outlook for the Nakuru Town real estate market is neutral.

Huawei celebrates ““Seeds for the Future” CSR Program on World Youth Skills Day

11th August, 2018… Kenya is one of the leading countries in the continent for technology with some of the best infrastructure and globally recognized innovations. It has some of the best tech talent around, yet the country still faces high youth unemployment of over 20%. Kenya not only needs to provide quality jobs to its young people, but it needs to leverage its strong technology industry to drive the entire economy.

Beatrice Wangui is a young Computer Science graduate from Moi University, who is currently interning in the Network Technology Department (NTD) of a leading tech company. She says that the program is a good platform to gain experience and exposure in the ICT industry. She attributes her new gained skills to the program and looks forward to sharpen her ICT knowledge further. She hopes the internship will enable her to get a good job and make the country stronger.

Samson Ng’ang’a is a fellow intern, working with Beatrice. Samson is a Computer Security and Forensics graduate from Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology. He is not only learning a lot during his internship but is enjoying pursuing his passion for ICT. He hopes it can be a pathway to improve his living standards and that of his family in the near future.

These young, aspiring, tech students are two of the more than 100 young people who intern at Huawei every year as part of the Seeds for the Future program that was launched in Kenya in 2014 with the ICT Authority. The program has been able to develop local ICT talent, enhance knowledge transfer, promote a great understanding of and interest in the ICT sector, and improve encourage participation in the digital community.

Each year more than thirty students pursuing engineering, networking, telecommunications and IT related courses from Kenyan universities in their 3^rd, 4^th,5^th year of study join Huawei for two-month internships. After some training the students are immediately thrown in the deep end, together with their mentor, often working in the field, installing cutting-edge mobile equipment, optimizing and configuring networks and patching fiber amongst others. Over the past four years, over 100 students have joined the program and each year 10 of the best performers also get to go to China for additional training and study tours at Huawei’s headquarters, R&D and manufacturing facilities.

On World Youth Skills day we must not only celebrate our achievements but reflect on the importance of providing both academic and practical knowledge and skills for young people, as well as the professional, entrepreneurial and life skills so more young people in Kenya can get jobs, create jobs, and drive the country’s economy and development forwards. There is no doubt that technology is one of the key sectors in the country, and one that is a crucial enabler for other sectors. We must all work harder to support them so they can actively drive ICT innovations and pursue careers in ICT. The youth are the foundation of our future, and they need to acquire the necessary skills in order to facilitate the growth of the nation.

As well as our strong support for the excellent Presidential Digital Talent Programme where we take twenty interns every year (And train hundreds of others), we also support the Digital Skills for Life initiative that provides tech training, mentoring and life skills for 30 underprivileged form four leavers each year, and this year we launched our first graduate trainee programme in Kenya. We are also looking forward to more youth enrolling in all of these programs and expanding them in order to develop their ICT skills and improve their knowledge.

CONSUMERS IN EAST AFRICA OOZE MORE SPENDING CONFIDENCE

Nairobi, 6 August 2018 – Cautiously optimistic may well be an apt way to describe Kenya’s latest Nielsen Consumer Confidence Index (CCI) score for Quarter 2, 2018 which has risen two points since the previous quarter to 104, displaying much improved sentiment from the low of 94 recorded in Q4, 2017.

 

Nielsen Sub-Saharan Africa MD Bryan Sun comments; “The Kenyan economy has experienced a renewed period of confidence and is projected to rebound to GDP growth of 5.6% in 2018 and 6.2% in 2019 as per an African Development Bank report. The economy is also more diversified than its regional peers, which has supported its growth over the past decade and given it the ability to weather the most recent economic storms far more effectively. Nielsen’s retail data also shows that the grocery basket in Kenya is growing and consumers are opening their wallets, a sign of increasing optimism in the economy and future prospects”.

This renewed sentiment is therefore reflected in 69% of Kenyans describing the state of their personal finances over the next year as excellent or good (up by two points from Q1’18) and only 23% as not so good or bad. That said, it has only resulted in a slightly more positive outlook in terms of Kenyan consumers immediate-spending intentions, which has risen to 31% of respondents (up from 27% in Q1) who say now is a good or excellent time to purchase what they need or want. This is also reflected in their job prospects with only 44% viewing them as excellent or good, a 5 point drop from the previous quarter, and 47% considering it as not so good or bad.

 

Spare cash?

Looking at whether Kenyans have spare cash to spend, only 29% said yes, although this is up from the previous quarter, while the majority (71%) said no. Looking at what their spending priorities are once they meet their essential living expenses, the highest percentage (85%) would spend it on home improvements, followed by putting it into savings (83%) and investing in shares and mutual funds (70%). Personal needs and wants follow, with 60% saying they would spend their spare cash on new clothes and 57% on out of home entertainment.

 

Curtailed spending

When asked about the changes in their spending to save on household expenses, compared to this time last year, 66% of Kenyans agreed that they have changed their spending habits. In terms of the actions they took to save money the highest number (53%) said they spent less on at home entertainment, followed by 49% who took less holidays, 44% who spent less on new clothes and 39% who delayed the replacement of major household items.

 

Major concerns

Some of the factors driving this more cautionary mindset is reflected in the major concerns mentioned by Kenyans. When asked about their biggest concern over the next six months the highest number of respondents (16%) said food prices, 13% said their kid’s education/welfare closely followed by 12% who said work/life balance and 11% who cited the economy.

 

When asked what their second biggest concern would be over the next six months, 17% said food prices, 11% said higher utility bills, followed by kid’s education/welfare, the economy and job security all at 10%.

 

Ongoing resilience

Elaborating on these results, Sun says; “Kenya has shown resilience despite experiencing multiple hurdles in 2017 and it’s clear that consumers are now feeling more optimistic and are inclined towards spending in light of improved agricultural forecasts due to improved weather conditions declining inflation levels, and a more stable political environment. However, the consumer is still cautious about their money and future prospects. The retailers need to take note of the shifting needs of the consumers and provide value for money offerings to sustain continued spend.

A kenyan consumer takes stock of foodstuff in the refrigerator

KENYA CS NAJIB BALALA KEEP HIS ENEMIES CLOSER

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism & Wildlife, Hon. Najib Balala, EGH, has today hosted Mombasa County Governor, H.E. Hassan Ali Joho and Kilifi County Governor, H.E. Amason Jeffah Kingi, EGH in his Ministry Headquarters, NSSF Building, Nairobi.
CS Balala welcomed the two Governors to the Ministry Headquarters and thanked them for paying him this courtesy call. In particular, he was excited to host them, since they represented the two counties that were the bedrock of our beach tourism.
“We have now agreed to form a tripartite partnership between the Ministry and the two county governments, with a priority focus on tourism which is the mainstay of the economies of the two counties,” said CS Balala.
“We have concurred with Governor Joho that both levels of government shall fully support and facilitate the 79th SKAL Congress, which will be held from 17th to 21st October, 2018 in Mombasa,” CS Balala said.
The CS also congratulated the Mombasa County government for the efforts they have put into cleaning and beautifying the coastal city and its environments. He urged them to fast-track these efforts, so that Mombasa will be ready to receive our visitors in October.
“The National Government will, in conjunction with the Mombasa City government, launch the Mombasa Re-generation Programme – similar to the ongoing one for Nairobi City – in September, 2018 to ensure the coastal city regains its lustre and glory,” stated CS Balala.
The CS also mentioned that he and Kilifi County Governor Kingi has agreed that the CS would visit Kilifi County next week, whereby CS Balala will share with the Governor both the National Tourism Blueprint (NTB) 2030 and National Wildlife Strategy (NWS) 2030 – both of which are relevant to the county. They will also witness the migration of whales at Watamu in Kilifi County.

CS Balala and the two Governors also concurred that they should jointly work towards ensuring that major events are held in the two coastal counties, so as to boost the businesses and livelihoods of the people. They also plan to develop joint digital marketing strategies to promote the coastal areas and their attendant tourist attractions.
Similarly, the three leaders emphasized the need to focus and expedite infrastructural projects at the coastal, in order to enhance access to tourist sites and also open up more areas to development. Specifically, they singled out the Kilifi-Lung Lunga road that will ease movement of both people and goods in the coastal region.
CS Balala also revealed that the National Government will construct a mono rail from Miriti to downtown Mombasa to connect the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) to the CBD. The Kibarani dumpsite is also earmarked for development into an environment-friendly recreation park. The Mombasa County government will be assisted by both the Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) and National Youth Service (NYS) personnel to clear garbage from this site.
CS Balala invited both Governors and their county governments to attend and participate in the upcoming Kenya Tourism Festival (KTF) 2018, which shall take run from 27th September to 5th October, 2018 at Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC). He precisely urged them to actively be involved in the Africa Hotel Investment Forum (AHIF), which is a showcase of high-growth destinations across Africa that brings together investors, developers, owners and operators within Africa tourism subsector.

Governor of Mombasa Hon County Hassan Ali Joho (Flanking CS to the right) and Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi (Flanking CS to the left)

Governor of Mombasa Hon County Hassan Ali Joho (Flanking CS to the right) and Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi (Flanking CS to the left) on the far ends are Principal Sec Ministry of Tourism

Governor of Mombasa Hon County Hassan Ali Joho (Flanking CS to the right) and Kilifi County Governor Amason Kingi (Flanking CS to the left)

CS Balala encouraged international hotel brands, which have set up and heavily invested in Nairobi, to also diversify and open establishments in other areas of Kenya, particularly the coastal region. He stated that the Ministry was striving to increase tourism numbers, not only through the Charter Incentive Program (CIP), but also the Air Growth Strategy – which aims at enticing Low Cost Carriers (LCCs), like Ryan Air and Easy Jet, to start flying into Moi International Airport (MIA) Mombasa. He also said that it is imperative that the issue of compensation of squatters is sorted expeditiously, so as to enable the requisite expansion of the Malindi International Airport runway to facilitate more charter airlines to land there.
On their part, the two governors thanked the CS for warmly hosting them and also spearheading projects that will boost their tourism sectors and economies too. They pledged their co-operation and collaboration with the National Government in development activities, to the benefit of their people and areas.
CS Balala was accompanied by his two Principal Secretaries – Dr. Margaret Mwakima (Wildlife) and Mr. Joe Okudo (Tourism)