Nairobi,15th December, 2021
Nairobi City County Executive Committee Member for Commerce, Tourism and Cooperatives Ms. Winfred Gathagu this morning emphasized the need to establish sound social-economic policies geared towards maintaining Nairobi City County’s status as the regional hub for International travel and Economic activities.
Ms. Gathagu was speaking during the Tourism stakeholders meeting aimed at developing the Nairobi City County tourism policy held at the Sarova Hotel.
Said Ms. Gathagu “Following inception of the devolved system of governance, the by-laws used by the defunct Nairobi City Council became obsolete resulting into a big gap and challenges being realized that can only be addressed through a policy. It is from the policy that requisite legislation is made to govern the sector.”
Ms. Gathagu mentioned that policies are drawn from applicable global best practices and national sessional papers in connected ministries.
Said Ms. Gathagu “The crisis facing the tourism industry calls for collective rethinking of strategies that need to be put in place to mitigate the negative effects of the Covid 19 pandemic so that in future we can have a resilient and sustainable tourism sector”.
The county’s Tourism sector derives its mandate from the Constitution of Kenya 2010, schedule four on devolved functions.
The intended policy will guide formation of other legislation as well as, development programmes and projects that will translate to;
a) Increased job creation/employment for the county residents
b) Increase revenue collection – this is important for further development of the county through ploughing back the revenue generated
c) Create a platform for the Nairobi City County Tourism development agenda through;
(i) Establishment of periodic strategic plans.
(ii) Propose Bills for regulating tourism industry.
(iii) Promote public private partnership for tourism investment and development .
Ms. Gathagu reassured the stakeholders of Nairobi County’s commitment to facilitate the promotion and marketing of Nairobi as a tourism destination through, rigorous promotion activities of the destination and creating laws that promote the same.
In attendance was Benjamin Omondi, Director Tourism and Culture Department, Joyce Ruitiari, Deputy Director Culture, Susan Mukuhi, Deputy Director Tourism and various stakeholders.
Ends/…
