Balala warns hotels on sex tourism

By Philip Mwakio and Maureen Mudi

Tourist hotels allowing child prostitution risk losing their licences, Tourism Minister Najib Balala has warned.

Speaking at the launch of a children protection campaign at Mwembe Resort, Mr Balala said his ministry would not tolerate child sex tourism.

An agreement binding tourism investors was signed to wage war against child abuse.

The campaign is a joint effort to combat sexual and commercial exploitation of children and promote responsible tourism.

"We are not going to tolerate any hotelier encouraging the vice. Those caught will have their licences cancelled and face the wrath of the law," Balala said.

He took issue with foreign media reports branding Malindi a haven for child sex tourism.

Unicef and Malindi and Watamu Tourism Welfare Group are sponsoring the campaign.

Balala said his ministry would encourage responsible tourism.

Malindi MP Gedion Mung’aro said residents were committed to fighting the vice.

"Signing a memorandum of understanding is mere paper work. What we want is real action to eliminate the vice," he said.

East African Community Minister Amason Kingi, who is also Magarini MP, welcomed the project and appealed for support from all stakeholders.

Marine fees

Meanwhile, Balala has opposed a move by the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to increase marine park fees.

Boat operators have also held demonstrations over the issue.

Balala said he was consulting his Forestry and Wildlife counterpart Noah Wekesa on the issue.

KWS had issued a circular dated December 8, raising marine fees from Sh750 to Sh1,125, a move that has angered the operators.

Yesterday, the operators threatened to stop transacting business with tourists.

"Initially, I used to get up to 60 tourists and take them to the park, but now, I spend days without any business," said Mr Said Athman, a treasurer and secretary of the Malindi Boat Operators.

He said the Government should consult them before raising the park fees.