Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed NoorTourism stakeholders and security agencies at the Coast have affirmed that Kenya is safe for visitors following reports of alleged attack on holidaymakers in Mombasa.
Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor clarified that the incident involved theft of a visitor’s phone by two street boys in the city’s CDB, contrary to reports in the local media.
“We have made arrests and are rounding up other suspects. Security measures are being strengthened across the Kenyan Coast to ensure the safety of both visitors and residents,” Noor said.
He assured visitors that Kenya remains a safe, vibrant and welcoming destination for all visitors.
“As we usher in the Easter Holidays, let me reassure all our visitors to all our tourism attractions along the Kenyan coast of their safety,” he stated.
In a joint press briefing, the Kenya Coast Tourism Association (KCTA), Kenya Association of Hotel Keepers and Caterers (KAHC), and Kenya Association of Tour Operators (KATO) dismissed media reports of an attack as “misleading reports as unnecessarily alarming.”
KCTA chairman Victor Shitakha termed the reports as misinformation and warned that the “sensationalised” coverage by a section of media could negatively affect the tourism industry.
Shitakha pointed out that tourism contributes over 10 per cent to Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Reports had indicated that a gang of over 50 youths accosted cruise passengers who arrived in Mombasa on March 31 and made off with valuables, leading to the cancellation of their visits to the port city.
The attack allegedly occurred at the renowned Pembe za Ndovu spot on Moi Avenue, and prompted the police and county officials to deploy officers to areas frequented by tourists.
The reports said an official who requested anonymity as she is not authorised to speak to the press, said no tourist was injured, although most cancelled their visit to Old Town and returned to the ship.
The reports further claimed the official said officers from the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and the National Police Service (NPS) boarded the ship to apologise for the attack and assure the tourists of their safety.
