KENYA TOURISM FEDERATION ISSUES THEIR LATEST SAFETY UPDATE
(Posted 25th June 2014)
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KTF DESTINATION UPDATE 24TH JUNE 2014
Following the unfortunate events that took place in Mpeketoni in mainland Lamu,
the Government has embarked on increasing security in the region. The affected
communities have and continue to receive support from the Government, Kenyans
and friends of goodwill through the Red Cross and have started rebuilding their
lives. There are reports of renewed hostilities and the situation is being closely
monitored. We however wish to reiterate our earlier position that Mpeketoni (and
the immediate surrounding area) is not a tourism locality and there are no tourist
class hotels in the area.
Tourism activities in Lamu Island and in the Indian Ocean, including fishing,
continue uninterrupted. Last week an oil exploration firm reported discovery of
substantial amounts offshore of Lamu Island.
Kenya has also received a major vote of confidence from the first-ever United
Nations Environmental Assembly which meets at the UNEP Headquarters in Gigiri,
Nairobi this week. UNEP director Achim Steiner declared Kenya a safe destination,
saying his organisation was satisfied with the steps the government had taken to
tackle insecurity. More than 1,200 delegates and 90 ministers from 162 member
states are expected to attend the 40 events on environment issues in Nairobi, with
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon joining later in the week.
There are no restrictions to travel to Kenya’s popular tourist destinations including
the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Lake Nakuru, Tsavo, Samburu, Mount Kenya, Laikipia
and Mount Kenya, for safaris, or Lamu Island and Malindi at the Coast.
The safari circuit continues to offer fantastic game viewing with the Wildebeest
Migration having started early in the Maasai Mara. Operators in the Mara have
reported that this time round, they have had the privilege of experiencing the
Wildebeests rutting which rarely happens on the Kenyan leg of the migration.
We encourage all intending visitors to continue with their plans to visit Kenya for
their holidays. All overseas agents and visitors are further requested to book only
with licensed and reputable local agents who are in a position to provide accurate
and up to date information relating to all aspects of the destination.
The KTF Safety and Communication Centre remains open 24 Hours daily and will
respond to any safety or other concern or information request.
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