By Macharia Kamau
The Maralal Camel Derby is slowly gaining traction among tourists and is now attracting foreign participants.
The sporting activity held in Maralal in Samburu County was started as a pacifier among warring communities in the area but is now turning out to be a major attraction for tourists to Kenya.
Kenya Tourist Board said the Derby, which takes place between August 24 and 26, has attracted participants from over 20 countries.
“We have in the recent past seen increased interest from international tourists who want to take place in the Camel derby not just as spectators but also compete, riding the camels in the different races,” said Muriithi Ndegwa, KTB managing director.
Northern Kenya
International tourists expected to participate in this year’s activity come from the United States, United Kingdom and Germany.
Others include India, New Zealand and France.
KTB would sponsor this year’s activity to a tune of Sh700000.
“We expect the annual sporting fair in Maralal to play a significant part in opening up the northern Kenya tourism circuit that remains largely unexplored despite its own unique attractions,” he said.
The area has several attractions including the Shaba and Samburu national reserves as well as heritage sites including the House of Kenyatta where the country’s founding president Jomo Kenyatta is said to have detained prior his release in 1961.
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