Maina Kiai's Column

The tourism sector is a key pillar for the country’s economy, bringing in valuable foreign exchange. And it is also about self-pride, for those who do not want visitors coming to their homes and marvelling about the wonders of it, be they domestic or international? But tourism in Kenya is ailing. Some of the problems are external, such as the threats from Ebola and terrorism, but many are self-inflicted. And even the external ones can be mitigated if our policy makers would only think outside the box, rather than go with their normal knee-jerk response of more marketing and branding.…

This is a wonderfully beautiful country. Spending time around the slopes of Mt. Kenya easily explains why the British made Kenya one of its few colonies in Africa. Kenya was a prized possession that they would inhabit and control as part of their Kingdom, while most countries in Africa were Protectorates that they would grant independence at some point. We should not take this awesome beauty that is Kenya for granted. It is easier to destroy the country and its beauty than to build up: Those of us old enough to remember the decay, destruction, fear and misery of the…