Tourism players urge Britain to lift travel advisories

Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala. (Photo: File)

Tourism stakeholders in Lamu and Manda want the British government to lift travel advisories affecting the two islands following major security investments made by the Government.

Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala and Lamu County Governor Issa Timmamy led tourism players in lobbying for the travel advisories to be lifted during a sector meeting attended by British High Commissioner Nick Hailey in Lamu.

Mr Balala said the Kenyan government had increased security in the region and it was time the British government re-evaluated its advisory by lifting it.

“The travel advisory has been in force for the last five years, the Government has done its best, gazetted 12 police stations in the county, deployed nine armoured police vehicles besides other patrols,” said Balala.

Tourism has been highly affected by advisories hurting the livelihood of the local community.