Safety at tourist resorts to be stepped up in Kenya to attract visitors

Kenya’s government will beef up security in Lamu County, a popular tourist region, to combat terrorism and other threats in order to attract more visitors, Vice President Rigathi Gachagua said on Thursday.

LAMU, Kenya, Sept. 20 (Xinhua) — The Kenyan government will beef up security in Lamu County, a popular tourist area, to combat terrorism and other threats in order to attract more visitors, Vice President Rigathi Gachagua said Thursday.

Gachagua said the government had mobilised all security agencies in the county to ensure peaceful co-existence among residents.

‘Lamu County has long been a battleground for terrorists. They have done what they wanted to do, but in the future things will not be the same. Our security agencies are keeping a close eye on them and they will face severe consequences,’ said the minister at a funeral service in the county.

At the 20th annual cultural festival in Lamu County, Kenya, a man rides a donkey on 24 November 2022 (Photo by Mukoto Imbova/Xinhua).

He stated that the government’s investment in security has helped prevent terrorist attacks in Mombasa and other coastal towns known for beach tourism. Security forces in Kenya have succeeded in containing terrorist activity in areas close to the Somali border and in the Boni forest, located in the south-east of the country near the Lamu archipelago in the Indian Ocean.

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‘Security is crucial for this country. Lamu is rich in resources, including those linked to the blue economy. We call for unity among the communities living here and encourage continued efforts to foster community cohesion and harmony,’ Lamu added.

Reports of militias and attacks in Lamu and along the border persist, despite increased security measures. The region has been the scene of deadly militant attacks in recent years that have claimed the lives of security personnel and civilians.