- Kenya’s tourism sector revenue hit over KSh 142.5 billion as it reported more than 1 million visitors in the first half of the year
- Rebecca Miano was appointed to head the Tourism sector in August 2024 after President William Ruto dismissed his first Cabinet
- Miano served in the Trade docket after taking over from Moses Kuria before Ruto dismissed the Cabinet in June 2024
The wildlife and tourism sector in Kenya has been given a fresh breath since Rebecca Miano took over as Cabinet secretary.
President William Ruto appointed Miano to take over the docket after dissolving his first cabinet in June 2024. Prior to her appointment in the tourism sector, she served in the Trade docket and as the CS for East African Community (EAC) affairs.
How tourism contributes to Kenya’s economy
One month into her appointment as Tourism CS, Miano showed significant changes to the sector that is a major contributor to the country’s gross domestic product.
According to the Kenya Tourists Board, the sector reported revenue growth of over KSh 142.5 billion and more than 1 million visitors in the first half of the year.
This Ministry, the primacy of imagination is way more potent than the pursuit of mere routine dictated to by wearisome rhythms of conventional thinking. In any case, human imagination itself is infinitely elastic. “We can and will create sensations that will fuel imagination merely by re-telling our story. That is precisely what I look forward to as we set sail in a new season and to new thought-fed destinations. Together, I am confident that we can recreate the tourism and wildlife sector and bequeath it a touch that will make Kenya the Shangri-La of Africa,” said Miano while taking the docket from CS Alfred Mutua.
What are Miano’s achievements as Tourism CS?
For the short period Miano has been in office, she:
- Launched the KWS Strategic Plan 2024-2028, which charts a clear and accountable framework of engagement for KWS for the next five years.
- Launched the strategic plan 2023-2027 for the Wildlife Research and Training Institute together with the National Wildlife Training Agenda 2024-2033. The 2 documents are a solid framework for the conservation of our national heritage and wildlife research and training in Kenya.
- Pushed for digital nomad work permits specifically designed to welcome global digital nomads to Kenya. This initiative underscores that Kenya is open and ready to be home, allowing one and their family to live here while working online from anywhere in the world. This was announced last week.
- Pushed for Transit & Long Connection Travellers ETA, enabling transit visitors to step out of the airport and explore the beauty of their home away from home. This initiative will enhance our appeal to travellers on longer connections, inviting them to experience all that Kenya has to offer.
- Signed an MOU with the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to strengthen security for tourists signaling the regard Kenya has for the tourism sector.
- Launched the online wildlife research permitting portal for WRTI aimed at easing the admittance of researchers in Kenya.
Dealing with hyena menace
Immediately after she took over, CS Miano was faced with the serious challenge of dealing with the hyena menace terrorising residents of Juja and the surroundings. The team from Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) has been camping on the ground, which has allowed Juja residents to coexist well.
World Tourism Week
Described as a workaholic, Miano recently led Kenyans in celebrating World Tourism Week, which saw Kenyans enjoy free access to all game parks. She also launched nine regional tourism circuits as part of a market diversification strategy to attract both foreign and domestic tourists.
We have incorporated emerging niches such as adventure, sports, culture, eco-tourism, and wellness tourism. Each region offers a unique reason to visit, and we encourage travellers to savour the diverse experiences,” she said.
World Rhino day
Miano, who spoke in Samburu during World Rhino Day Celebrations, said Kenyan scientists and their counterparts from other areas globally are an inch closer to saving the northern white rhino species from extinction through in-vitro fertilisation (IVF). Only two remain at Ol Pejeta conservancy in Laikipia County.
Elephants Translocation
Recently, the CS also spearheaded the translocation of approximately 50 elephants from Mwea National Reserve to Aberdare National Park. This effort underscores KWS’s commitment to improving human-wildlife coexistence and addressing environmental degradation within Mwea National Reserve.
Miano’s career profile
Miano said she’s focused on helping the country record 2.5 million tourists by the end of this year. This will be achieved through the launch of the digital nomad work permits. Miano joined Ruto’s Cabinet in 2022 as the CS for East Africa Community, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands and Regional Development, and was later moved to the Trade docket.
She served as the managing director at Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KenGen) before her appointment to the Cabinet.
Source: TUKO.co.ke