Kenya tourism minister Najib Balala has assured visitors the government is in control of security in the northern coastal regions of the country. In an open letter, Balala said the government was working closely with British, French and international authorities to ensure that acts of piracy are stopped and hostages are released.

A French woman was kidnapped by an armed gang while she lay asleep in her beach cottage in Kenya, according to reports.

Officials in Kenya have drafted extra police and soldiers into the area where a British holidaymaker was shot and killed and his wife kidnapped. David and Judith Tebbutt were staying at the luxury Kiwayu Safari Village when the incident occurred on September 10th.

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 Kenya Government has confirmed that the cost of a single entry tourist visa to Kenya will remain at £20 ($25) for all visitors to the country until July 1st 2011. The waiver on the visa fee for children under the age of 16 years will remain in force for the same period.

When Clarence House announced that Prince William had proposed to Kate Middleton in a continent he considers his “second home”, Kenya’s travel and tourism industry received the ultimate endorsement. BTN looks at the Windsors’ special relationship with Africa, and Kenya in particular.