Naivasha – In a quiet hotel conference room overlooking Lake Naivasha, three of Kenya’s key tourism bodies made a promise. It wasn’t flashy, but it was significant.
Top officials from the Tourism Fund, Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA), and the Tourist Police Unit (TPU) met on Thursday to agree on one thing: if Kenya is to remain a top destination, the sector must work as one.
“We’re not just talking about tourist numbers,” said David Mwangi, Acting CEO of the Tourism Fund. “We’re talking about the entire experience from the moment a visitor lands to the time they leave. That experience must be safe, smooth, and of high quality.”
The closed-door meeting was described by participants as both candid and constructive. At its core was the need for tighter coordination especially as the country looks to draw back international travellers and attract more investment in hospitality.
According to Mwangi, the Fund remains committed to supporting tourism projects. But he stressed that financing alone isn’t enough. “If we don’t have high standards and strong enforcement, the sector risks falling short of its potential,” he told reporters after the meeting.
Safety and Standards on the Agenda
The Tourist Police Unit, tasked with protecting visitors across the country, highlighted rising concerns around traveller safety, particularly in high-traffic zones like Nairobi, Mombasa, and the Maasai Mara.
“Our officers are often the first responders in times of crisis,” said Joseph Ole Napeiyan, Head of the TPU. “We are increasing visibility and training, but we need our partners in regulation and funding to walk with us.”
The Tourism Regulatory Authority echoed those concerns, pointing to inconsistent service quality in some establishments and the need for better compliance with national tourism standards.
“We must hold our sector to account,” said Norbert Talam, Director-General of TRA. “It’s about protecting the visitor but also protecting our brand as a country.”
A Plan for the Long Term
The meeting ended with a shared commitment to draft a joint action framework. This will include new systems for data sharing, joint training exercises, coordinated inspections, and funding support for quality improvements.
Charles Okeyo, Director of Levy Services at the Tourism Fund, described the agreement as “a shift from siloed action to shared responsibility.”
If followed through, the framework could reshape how the country approaches tourism governance moving from fragmented efforts to a unified front.
Room for Optimism
Tourism remains one of Kenya’s largest foreign exchange earners. But like many destinations, it has struggled to bounce back fully after the pandemic. The hope is that tighter coordination between agencies will help rebuild confidence not just among tourists, but also among investors and local operators.
“This is about trust,” said Mwangi. “When tourists feel safe, when investors feel supported, and when standards are enforced fairly, the whole country benefits.”
In an industry often buffeted by global forces, it’s a rare moment of clarity and one the country’s tourism players hope to build on.
