Officials in Kenya have moved to reassure visitors the drought sweeping the Horn of Africa is not having an impact on tourism in the country.

Leah Gwiyo, permanent secretary, ministry of tourism, said visitor numbers were “impressive” in some regions despite the lack of rainfall.

The horn of Africa is currently experiencing drought which has caused hardship to many people in the region, with 2011 recording the lowest rainfall in many years.

Affected Areas

The Northern and Eastern parts of Kenya are arid and semi-arid areas with minimal rainfall annually. Some – including Garissa, Wajir, Moyale, Isiolo, Marsabit and Mandera - did not receive any rains this year, prompting the drought.

Together with various Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs) and donors, the Kenyan government through various ministries has mobilised resources to supply essentials such as food, water and medication to help the affected people.

Tourism not Affected

“The drought has affected specific areas and regions, however most other regions have received adequate rainfall and expect bountiful harvest,” said Ms Gwiyo.

“Tourism activities in these and other parts of the country are going on as usual. Hotels and lodges around the Maasai Mara region are recording impressive bookings as tourists continue to flock to witness the on-going annual wildebeest migration.

“Other tourism products in Western, Rift Valley and Coastal regions among others are also reporting impressive bookings.

“It is also important to note the hotels and lodges distributed across the country have a plentiful and constant supply of water.

“There have been no reports of hotels running out of water as most of these facilities do not depend on rain water.”

KWS Intervention

The affected areas of the Northern and Eastern regions have few tourist facilities, National Parks and Game Reserves.

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) – the government body mandated to conserve and manage Kenya’s wildlife has done the following under the emergency intervention programme;

Water supply – KWS has started supplying water to the parks/reserves for the animals in the affected areas. KWS has built bore holes for a sufficient supply of water in these areas not only for animals but communities within the vicinity.

Providing hay grass to the herbivores especially the elephants and giraffes.

The above measures have helped maintain the national order of wildlife population in the parks in the affected regions.

“On behalf of the Kenya government and the tourist sector let me reassure our visitors that Kenya is ready and able to receive tourists,” added Ms Gwiyo.

“Kenya is a land of diversity with plenty of tourism attractions to sample and it remains of vital importance that tourism continues to flourish.”