tourism problems in kenya

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‘It’s a struggle for survival’: why Kenya – and its wildlife – need tourists to return

Covid dealt a blow to tourism and the conservation funds it provides. But as visitors slowly return, the sector is looking for new ways to thrive

E very day, for the past 20 years, Joyce Naserian has laid out her handmade curios near an entrance to the Masai Mara park to sell to passing tourists. Her earnings have helped the 46-year-old feed and educate all four of her children.

In northern Kenya, about 1,200 semi-nomadic women earned more than 9m Kenyan shillings (£62,000) selling beadwork to visitors at 43 community wildlife conservancies in 2020. Just as it was Naserian in the Mara, selling the beadwork was a solid money earner for these women. But that was before Covid.

The collapse of eco-tourism during the pandemic has spelled disaster for conservation initiatives and livelihoods in Kenya and beyond. Cuts to budgets and staff, reduced salaries and stalled development and education projects have plunged communities into poverty, leading to a rise in poaching and the illegal wildlife trade.

Reuters reported that in the first three months of 2020, the African continent lost $55bn (£44bn) in travel and tourism revenues – funds that go towards running conservation programmes that benefit local communities.

Kenya’s government has relaxed a raft of travel restrictions , but the return of international tourists has been slow, while concerns about carbon emissions from long-haul air travel may be putting people off flying into conservation areas.

“It is a real struggle for survival,” says Daniel Sopia, head of Masai Mara Wildlife Conservancies Association. “Women who relied solely on beadwork were badly affected as there was not a single tourist coming to the Mara at the height of Covid-19 restrictions. Household income dropped significantly and they had to rely on food from well-wishers.”

The 15 wildlife conservancies that Sopia heads comprise individual blocks of land owned by Maasai people. The landowners lease the land, covering 14,0426 hectares (347,000 acres), to safari camps and lodges, which pay fees that fund projects providing water, healthcare and education, as well as setting up small businesses.

In return, the 14,500 landowners protect biodiversity within the Mara ecosystem while preserving their traditional lifestyle.

Four years before the pandemic, the conservancies contributed almost 120m Kenyan shillings to social programmes in the region. Two years ago, payments to landowners fell by 50% , forcing conservancies to scale back operations and focus on priorities such as allowances to wildlife rangers. Sopia and his team had to scramble to prevent the total collapse of conservation programmes.

“Conservancies remained operational throughout the pandemic despite the lack in tourism income,” says Sopia. “We were fortunate to mobilise some resources from development partners and private foundations. These helped to cover rangers’ salaries, food rations, fuel, and vehicle maintenance.

“We hope the arrangement will be in place till June 2022 as we slowly wean the conservancies off such aid,” he says.

Some foreign organisations are now making a comeback after a two-year hiatus. In March 2022, UK charity Tusk brought together conservation professionals from across Africa for a symposium in Masai Mara to help organisations diversify fundraising and build resilient units.

Since 1990, Tusk has raised more than £80m towards conservation projects across more than 20 African countries and helped to protect more than 40 threatened species. Tusk’s upcoming Wildlife Ranger Challenge seeks to raise money for rangers whose pay was slashed in the pandemic.

“The last two years have been extremely tough for everyone. The conservation sector in particular has had to endure huge losses, dramatic cutbacks in operating budgets, and, sadly, redundancies,” says Charlie Mayhew, Tusk Trust chief executive.

Wanjiku Kinuthia, strategyhead at Maliasili , hopes the renewed interest in broadening discussions about African conservation will boost small organisations that are often left out of big decisions, despite being closest to the vulnerable communities bearing the brunt of a collapsing environment.

“They often miss out on global dialogues,” says Kinuthia, whose group supports about 20 other organisations in seven countries, including smaller ones that lack the networks to make their voices heard. “They do not understand how the media works or how to tell their stories. We can be catalysts of change for such grassroots organisations.”

Involving communities in conservation would safeguard the 65% of wildlife that lives outside protected areas, she says. “All people need are tools to help them coexist with animals in the 21st century while benefiting from conservation.”

However, some conservationists say the only way to sustain conservation programmes and avoid disruption is by governments increasing budgets to the sector, a challenge considering the current low levels of state investment.

Dickson Kaelo, who heads the Kenya Wildlife Conservancies Association, says African countries depend on foreign donors to fund development and conservation is no exception.

“There is no single answer to cutting off foreign aid,” says Kaelo. “There are no government incentives for setting up a conservancy to protect an elephant that walks all over destroying life and property.

“If you are in the farming sector, you can get a loan to buy a tractor, but there is no institution that gives loans for those who want to invest in protecting wildlife, and while a person buying a vehicle to ferry tourists gets some tax rebates, we get no such benefits when buying a truck for wildlife rangers.”

He adds: “Through a private member’s bill, parliament might create laws that hamper conservation including the Natural Resources (Benefits Sharing) Bill , with a formula that will see those in conservation give 80% of their proceeds to government and a paltry 12.8% to local communities.

In addition, the government requires that you come up with a management plan, a strategic and environmental study, multiple registration procedures and other permits before setting up a private conservancy. If you want to lease land you have to pay 2% stamp duty for the entire period, say for 20 years, and pay that upfront. Why don’t we see such laws when someone wants to cut down a tree?”

Kaddu Sebunya, chief executive at the African Wildlife Foundation says Africans must be exposed to the benefits of wildlife and wild lands so they can lead on conservation. A starting point would be to make tourism more accessible, he says, “as it is easier for someone in New York or Sydney to book a tour to Africa than someone living in Harare or Lagos.”.

“Building our domestic and regional tourism market will be a stepping stone to increasing the African voice for conservation. While millions of Africans traverse the continent to travel for business, how can these numbers be translated to nature tourists?

“Data from Unctad [UN Conference on Trade and Development] indicates that four out of 10 international tourists in Africa come from the continent, and this begs the question, ‘is our product marketing catering to the four Africans?’

It is high time for a shift in mindset,” says Sebunya.

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The road to recovery, Kenya’s tourism sector rising again

Industry players expect full recovery this year going into 2024..

•To see the country succeed to unprecedented levels in the next five years, a strategy is required that calls for promoting Kenya as a multi-product destination.

•Industry players and state urged to diversify tourist flows into Kenya from traditional Europe and North America markets to emerging markets such as India and China.

Kenya’s hotel and tourism industry is on a recovery path with both the government and industry players projecting a strong performance this year.

The Star spoke to BOBBY KAMANI , Managing Director Zuri Group Global, a multinational conglomerate with interests in hospitality, real estate and floriculture. Kamani who is also a director and board member,Kenya Tourism Board, shared insights on the industry’s performance and future outlook.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE JUST CONCLUDED CHRISTMAS-NEW YEAR FESTIVE PERIOD COMPARED TO LAST YEAR?

It has been a very busy festive period for tourism in Kenya, especially on the Kenyan Coast. This comes as a welcome change after the pandemic years of 2020 and 2021 when tourism was at its lowest. Hotels on the Kenyan Coast have enjoyed increased occupancies and far higher average room revenues than was expected. The busy period came after a relatively successful 2022 for tourism in Kenya. 

THE HOTEL AND TOURISM INDUSTRY WAS COUNTING ON THE LONG SCHOOL HOLIDAY AS ONE OF THE KEY DRIVERS FOR NUMBERS THIS SEASON, HOW DID IT PLAY OUT?

Hotels and holiday homes on the coast enjoyed brisk business owing to the long school holiday. Normally, by the first week of January there is a decrease in domestic tourists, but this year things were different. Many holidaymakers extended their stay which brought good tidings to the sector. Industry players are now banking on a relatively calm post-general elections period in the country to diversify their products and generate revenue.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE INTERNATIONAL MARKET CURRENTLY? WHEN DO YOU SEE IT COMING BACK TO 2019 LEVELS?

The years 2020 and 2021 saw tourism arrivals drop to approximately 500,000 and 800,000 respectively.2022 saw a huge improvement in tourism arrivals of approximately 1.5 million. I am optimistic that 2023 will be the year that brings international tourism arrivals back to the pre-pandemic levels that we saw in 2018 and 2019 and we will hopefully see more than 2 million arrivals annually.

THE GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCED PLANS TO SUPPORT HOTELS DURING THE PANDEMIC, HAS IT HAD ANY IMPACT SO FAR?

Yes. It did an incredible job of extending support by way of increased spending on marketing dedicated to the Kenya Tourism Board and the Ministry of Tourism. It further set aside Sh2 billion to support the renovation of tourist hotels and the restructuring of business operations. This was in the form of soft loans that were administered by the Tourism Finance Corporation (TFC) to hotel establishments. A further Sh1 billion was dedicated to community conservancies under the Kenya Wildlife Service to support their activities. The intervention assisted the sector to stay afloat as the coronavirus pandemic ravaged life and economies globally.

KENYA IS SAID TO BE AN EXPENSIVE DESTINATION ESPECIALLY HOTELS ON THE COAST, WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON PRODUCT PRICING?

Compared on a global scale, Kenya is not generally considered an expensive place to travel to, however, when compared with other African countries, overall costs tend to be a fraction more because of the country’s more advanced tourism industry. If you plan to travel a fair distance, prices can add up, especially if you want to go on a safari. While luxury lodges have often come to symbolise the safari experience, that’s not the reality – you can choose to camp, opt for midrange accommodations, or travel off-season. With a wide choice of hotels, apartments, and restaurants, Nairobi has options for every budget. Eating street food and using low-cost transport will also save you money. Beach resorts span the price spectrum too, from 5-star luxury and stylish staffed villas to beach bungalows, cut-price boutique hotels and very reasonably priced hostels. There are several ways to save money if you’ve got the flexibility to travel outside of Kenya’s busiest tourist periods, typically July to October and January and February, after the short rains. International flights and accommodations will both cost a little less and if you travel outside of the Great Migration (July to October) you can also pick up good deals for the MasaiMara, which is fantastic pretty much any time of year. For a cheaper safari, book between the short and long rains (January to March) when prices are usually lower than during the peak vacation season. Beach resorts and hotels offer great deals when outside the peak periods too. Shop for bargains in October and November, or before the rains in March and April. Travelling in the rainy season can also be a winner as the downpours are often short-lived, the landscapes are lush, and the price difference can be significant.

HOW BEST CAN THE INDUSTRY POSITION ITSELF FOR FULL POST-COVID RECOVERY?

Kenya’s tourism industry has started to pull out of its deep Covid-19-induced slump as local travellers take advantage of lower prices and the number of foreign visitors starts recovering toward pre-pandemic levels. The sector earned nearly $1.5 billion in 2022, which is up 18.5% from 2021. This year’s forecast depends on the continuation of the global campaign to continue vaccinating people against Covid, and sustained marketing into traditional source markets like Britain, and new ones in Asia. Kenya has no shortage of world-renowned tourism hotspots yet to be discovered. I have always maintained that we are so much more than just ‘beach and bush’.  The country is poised to receive more international visitors as the government, albeit cautiously, opens up the skies for flights to specific tourism hotspots.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE FACING KENYA’S HOTEL INDUSTRY?

The largest challenge facing the Kenyan hospitality industry is the debate surrounding the opening of the skies. We have seen Kenya Airways resume several routes as well as introduce new international routes. This is hugely beneficial to hoteliers, but a lot more can be done. Whilst the conversation around an ‘Open Skies Policy is a sensitive and intricate one, the policy can be activated cautiously with MoiInternational Airport, to begin with.

DO YOU SEE TANZANIA AND ZANZIBAR AS MAJOR COMPETITORS?

They are friendly neighbours and I feel that competition amongst neighbours is always good. It keeps our toes as industry stakeholders. When it comes to Zanzibar, there are more international flights to the destination, so they will naturally be more accessible to the international market than the Kenyan coast. However, service levels and hospitality standards are relatively higher in Kenya in my opinion. Any safari to either the Maasai Mara or the Serengeti would be an adventure of a lifetime for anybody. It eventually boils down to the timing of the visit - whether you’re visiting the Mara during the migration or the Serengeti during the calving season. Even if you visit either place off-season, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience.

HOW BEST CAN THE COUNTRY DRIVE GROWTH IN DOMESTIC NUMBERS AND BED NIGHTS?

The sector must undertake activities to encourage Kenyan travellers to visit various parts of the country. The government and private players in tourism and hospitality must collaborate to make local travel appealing to domestic tourists. This can be done by creating targeted programmes under the banner of the Kenya Tourism Board and Tembea Kenya that encourage local travellers to discover different parts of the country. The Government could also give incentives to industry players such as lowering taxes levied on hotel and travel agents, to help them to offer attractive rates to domestic tourists. Last year, KTB launched an initiative dubbed the “you deserve a holiday” campaign and they partnered with players in the domestic travel trade to make the campaign a success with domestic travellers. The recent partnership between the Ministry of Tourism and Radio Africa Group clearly displays the hands-on administration we have at the helm of tourism, wildlife and heritage. CS Peninah Malonza is a hands-on leader who is keen on encouraging local tourism, especially among the youthful generation. The KenyaKwanza administration proves to be committed to improving earnings in the tourism sector.

WHAT CAN HOTELS ON THE COAST DO DIFFERENTLY TO ATTRACT MORE BUSINESS BOTH FROM THE DOMESTIC AND INTERNATIONAL MARKETS?

Geographic and demographic–specific digital marketing that is targeted is definitely the way forward. The use of social media influencers is a significant tool being used by a handful of hoteliers. Hotel industry players also need to give more importance to the e-commerce aspects of bringing revenues to their establishments. The power of online travel agents is largely underestimated. The need has also returned for in–person meetings in the hospitality field, be it travel fairs locally and internationally or the close interaction and engagement of conventional travel agents and tour operators.

HOW DO YOU SEE 2023 PLAYING OUT FOR THE HOTEL INDUSTRY COMPARED TO 2022?

We saw the hospitality sector pick up towards the end of last year thanks to the local and international markets. People have not travelled for more than two years, and this has been a perfect time for them to do so. Cruise ships and more charter flights have started coming into Mombasa for instance, showing signs of growth and hopefully, this trend will continue for 2023.

KENYA TARGETS A FULL RECOVERY BY NEXT YEAR, IS THIS ACHIEVABLE?

I am very optimistic about the opportunities in the hospitality sector over the next couple of years. I strongly believe that the exponential growth in tourism is going to start in 2023. Strong partnerships between the private sector and the government are key to defining growth. For starters, their cognition of the sector regionally and globally, and its positive ranking will drive business. Other factors include intensive marketing through initiatives such as Magical Kenya, improved security and increased sporting, leisure, culture and medical tourism.

AS A DIRECTOR AT KTB, DO YOU THINK THE ENTITY IS ACCORDED THE RIGHT SUPPORT IN MARKETING THE COUNTRY? NOTING THERE HAVE BEEN CONCERNS OVER LOW FUNDING.

In my opinion, KTB is accorded the right support to market the country. With greater opportunities now existing to market Kenya to untapped target audiences around the world, 15% of tourism earnings would do wonders if those funds were diverted towards marketing Kenya in the international arena, in my view.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACHIEVE AS A DIRECTOR AT THE KENYA TOURISM BOARD DURING YOUR TENURE?

I am here to bridge the gap between the private sector and the Government. I envision greater and more profitable ways to explore Kenya’s tourism resources. I will strive to assist KTB in accomplishing its functions and to develop, implement and coordinate a national tourism marketing strategy that would market Kenya at local, national, regional and international levels as a premier tourist destination

HOW DO YOU SEE KENYA’S HOTEL AND TOURISM SECTOR PERFORMANCE IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?

To see the country succeed to unprecedented levels in the next five years, a strategy is required that calls for promoting Kenya as a multi-product destination with diverse offerings to enable it to have a competitive edge against neighbours and other emerging destinations. We must also look at diversifying tourist flows into Kenya from the traditional Europe and North American markets to emerging markets such as India and China. Stakeholders in the tourism sector need to support the implementation of the new vision for Kenya’s tourism through active participation in its implementation process. We need to note that this new strategy goes beyond Covid-19 as we are now looking at a much longer horizon than we had planned for earlier. This is because we need to position ourselves to take advantage of emerging trends in tourism. Tourism is a long-term business and requires strategic thinking that looks years ahead into the future. We want to get our finger on the pulse so that when things change in other parts of the world, we are able to capitalise on those changes.

Hotels turn focus to international market after festivities boom

Kenya must invest in products before opening the skies – kata, ktb plans roadshows in key european markets, most popular, iconic hilton hotel to shut down after 53 years operation, latest videos, machakos residents want road washed by floods weeks after tarmacking ..., ruto to governors world bank money is a loan, not free lunch, sign up for the free star email newsletter and receive the latest kenya news daily..

COVID-19, Its Effects on the Hospitality and Tourism Sector in Kenya and Recommendations Towards Recovery

• First Online: 18 May 2022

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• MaryJoy Karanja 11 &
• Clara Kariuki 11  

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This chapter will explore the background of the tourism industry in Kenya, how it has been affected by the pandemic and the various ways managers can help in revitalizing the industry and recommendations on the way forward. Human work is not only supposed to fill a gap but also to uplift and positively edify the quality of life of any human. This presupposes that human dignity, human rights, respect, and independence have to be part of work. COVID-19 has shown that some of these fundamental aspects of work have not been given due attention. Whereas the lack of jobs has been a huge problem in Kenya, the pandemic only reiterated this fact. Many people lost their livelihoods, and the worst-hit sector was the Tourism and Hospitality Sector. The various ways through which the industry can recover from the pandemic is a global concern.

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Wathuta, J., Karanja, M., Kariuki, C. (2022). COVID-19, Its Effects on the Hospitality and Tourism Sector in Kenya and Recommendations Towards Recovery. In: Ogunyemi, K., Okoye, E., Ogunyemi, O. (eds) Humanistic Perspectives in Hospitality and Tourism, Volume II. Humanism in Business Series. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-95585-4_14

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Kenya Embraces Sustainable Tourism As The New Normal Share Tweet Pin Share

By Bianca Caruana | August 26, 2023 Africa Social Responsibility

Kenya has long been a fascinating destination of choice for travelers both domestic and international. The East African nation flaunts diverse landscapes, from savannahs to lakes and mountainous ranges, while encompassing ethnic diversity and vibrant, bygone cultures. It’s clear to see what draws people to the place they call ‘Magical Kenya ’ . I even set foot on these lands way back in 2013 on an overland safari with a group of twenty other wandering souls, creating moments unforgettable and learning what it is that makes this country so appealing to travelers like myself. 

Since 2013, tourism has expanded and evolved in the region, welcoming a more sustainable narrative — one far more inclusive of a positive social and environmental impact than at any time in Kenya ’s tourism history. This sustainable narrative comes at a time of necessary spotlight on the intersection of travel and sustainability, as the tourism industry itself evolves to focus more on sustainable development over economic growth. 

Historically, and not uncommon to the general nature of the tourism industry, the Kenyan government had neglected social and environmental factors when employing tourism to bring about rapid economic growth. According to  scholarly research , early tourism development in Kenya was characterized by minimal Indigenous involvement and enveloped a colonialist approach. As a result of rapid and unplanned growth, this left the industry economically, socially, and environmentally unbalanced, perpetuating inequality and lacking authenticity.  

Today, changes in tourism practices are looking to fill these gaps.

The growth of a ‘social-purpose’ approach in tourism

Progress in any industry takes time and courage for those who wish to pioneer a new way forward. Colin Murray, the founder of the sustainable tourism company  One Horizon Africa , knows this first hand having run a tour company in Africa for over 20 years. “At the time [the early 2000s], One Horizon’s social-purpose approach was deemed as a ‘head scratcher’ by the travel industry,” Colin explains. The profit-focused industry hadn’t fully embraced the importance of socially and environmentally driven activities. 

Nowadays, these factors are increasingly included in the tourism conversation but it has not always been driven by the industry itself. “We are now in a position where travelers are requesting social-purpose experiences. In other words, the demand for sustainable tourism is being driven by consumers,” Colin continues. “Through our socially-conscious tours, we aim to be an example of how tourism can promote positive social change through the use of authentic and respectful human-to-human engagement.”

Recognizing eco-tourism and its importance

The increasing consumer demand for more sustainable experiences brings up the conversation around governance, and also the risk of  greenwashing . Greenwashing is a form of marketing in which a company conveys a false impression or provides misleading information about how their company’s services are environmentally friendly. 

Ecotourism Kenya  (EK) is one initiative leading the way for sustainable tourism governance in Kenya . EK provides relevant and practical guidance for attaining sustainable solutions to challenging issues in tourism development, for both communities and tourism practitioners. In 2015 EK introduced the formal recognition of ‘Green Destinations’ — facilities, such as accommodations, championing sustainable tourism practices. Through a voluntary certification scheme, EK vets and highlights facilities based on their local socioeconomic, cultural, environmental, and legal operations. The initiative currently features more than  100 accommodation facilities  certified under this eco-rating scheme. 

While some companies may not decide to obtain certification, either through Ecotourism Kenya or other governing bodies, travelers can take it upon themselves to navigate greenwashing in the tourism industry. One way to do this is to examine an organization’s website and communications. Do they speak with authenticity? Do they promote their own sustainability metrics? What do their reviews say? Transparency is one key element to understanding the authenticity of a travel experience. 

Opportunities for locally-owned operators

The de-monopolization of the tourism industry in Kenya and other parts of Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as changes in the way travelers plan their travels (such as increased interest in supporting locally-run business and promoting inclusive economic growth), has opened up opportunities for locally-owned operators to thrive in the market. One such organization is  Travel4Purpose  (T4P), a Kenyan-based travel company working with locals, at a grassroots level, to provide authentic experiences and valuable cultural exchanges. “Sustainable travel is key to ensuring we can continue to enjoy the beauties of Kenya while being respectful to the culture, the land, and its people. I believe Kenya has great potential for sustainable travel and inclusive growth,” T4P founder, Sham, explains. 

Sustainable travel experience aggregate, I Like Local , works closely with local non-profit organizations to train communities in tourism development and help them put their experiences on the map via the  I Like Local platform . Founder, Sanne Meijboom, explains, “In the past five years, a lot of effort has been taken to involve and let communities in Kenya benefit from the tourism industry in their country. Not only to provide them with a fair share but also to give them a source of income that can ultimately lead to the prevention of illegal income-generating activities such as poaching.” 

COVID-19 and its influence on Kenya’s tourism industry

COVID-19 remains one of the greatest challenges facing the travel and tourism industry in Kenya but tourism officials remain positive. Strategies suggest the industry will leverage domestic tourism, driven by Kenya ’s growing middle class, and continue to develop relations with neighboring markets. 

Earlier this month, Lufthansa Group carrier Eurowings launched two weekly flights between Frankfurt and Mombasa. Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Najib Balala, explains, “Kenya has been making great progress as a destination in attracting tourists from different markets and especially from Europe. This flight is yet another milestone in the recovery of activities in the country.” 

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Search, compare and book hotels & rentals at  the best prices   that are sourced from a variety of platforms including Booking.com, Hotels.com, Expedia, Vrbo and more.  You can move the map to search for accommodations in other areas and also  use the filter to find restaurants , purchase tickets for tours and attractions and locate interesting points of interest!

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Flooding in a Kenyan Natural Reserve Forces Tourist Evacuation

The heavy rains that pounded East Africa for weeks, killing hundreds, have spilled into the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s greatest wildlife national reserves.

By Mohamed Ahmed and Emma Bubola

Mohamed Ahmed reported from Mombasa, Kenya, and Emma Bubola from London.

Devastating floods that have killed hundreds of people and displaced tens of thousands more in East Africa are now inundating parts of the Masai Mara, one of Africa’s greatest wildlife national reserves.

On Wednesday, the Telek River broke its banks and overflowed into parts of the natural reserve, flooding many tourist camps. A spokesman for the Kenyan Red Cross, Munir Ahmed, said that more than 90 people have been evacuated, some by helicopter. Others fled through the water.

“The situation in Masai Mara is so bad,” said Daniel Ikayo, the owner of a safari company that operates there. “There is water everywhere.”

The floods in the reserve have added to the heavy damage to key economic resources in Kenya, including livestock, crops and infrastructure.

“We are seeing a disaster unfold,” said Bryan Adkins, who heads a trust that helps protect the Kijabe forest, which has also been decimated by the floods.

Only part of Masai Mara has been affected, said Mohammed Hersi, director of a safari company and the former chairman of the Kenya tourism federation. But Alfred Mutua, the country’s tourism minister, warned on Wednesday that all hotels and camps near rivers and within national parks and reserves should prepare for potential evacuation in case rivers overflow.

Kenya’s long rainy season, which runs from April until June, is not a prime time for tourism, but those who are there now have found their plans upended. “People don’t want to come here to drive around in a lake,” Mr. Adkins said.

The Telek River lies across the “ Great Migration ” route from the Serengeti in Tanzania to the Masai Mara, and from July to October, over a million wildebeests and zebras cross over — an event that attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world.

On Monday, flash floods sent a deluge of muddy water over an area in the Rift Valley region in southern Kenya, killing at least 45 people, sweeping away houses and damaging roads. In total, 179 people have died in Kenya since the flooding begun, and many more have been killed across the whole of East Africa. The floods were particularly deadly in neighboring Tanzania.

With the rains expected to continue, Kenya’s presidential office on Wednesday issued an evacuation order to people residing in risk areas — near, for instance, rivers, dams and reservoirs — to evacuate within 48 hours. Over 30,000 people have already been displaced.

Mr. Ahmed, of the Red Cross, said that in total, 45 roads and over 370 water sources had been destroyed, and over 600 businesses and 35,000 acres of crops affected. People who lived off small businesses, like avocado farms or tractor businesses, lost their livelihoods, local residents said.

What the final economic impact of this year’s inundations might be is unclear, but according to a recent report by the African Climate Foundation , climate-change-related events like floods and droughts led to losses of 3 to 5 percent of the country’s gross domestic product from 2010 to 2020.

According to the report, the frequency and intensity of such events is likely to increase.

Forecasters with the Kenya meteorological department warned on Wednesday about “a surge in rainfall intensity across multiple regions of the country from Thursday through the weekend.”

Judson Jones contributed reporting from New York.

Emma Bubola is a Times reporter based in London, covering news across Europe and around the world. More about Emma Bubola

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Tourism development as a threat to the Great Masai Mara Ecosystem

The main challenges of the Great Masai Mara ecosystem to survive

• Demographic growth
• Excessive and uncontrolled tourism development
• Increase in off-road driving in the reserves
• Exploitation of the Mara River Basin

Maasai woman - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi

Masai mara: wildebeest - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi

Masai Mara: zebras - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi

Masai Mara river - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi

Masai Mara: elephants - Photo Credits: Romina Facchi

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First Lady cites conservation as pillar to drive growth of niche tourism in Kenya

The First Lady, Mama Rachel Ruto, has cited conservation as a critical pillar for sustainable tourism in Kenya.

The Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy (MKWC) released ten adult mountain bongos into the Mawingu Mountain Bongo Sanctuary, during which the First Lady spoke.

The long-term vision of the 2019-launched Mountain Bongo National Recovery and Action Plan enshrines Kenya’s ambitious plan to achieve a national population of 750 Mountain Bongos in the next 50 years.

The release of the Mountain Bongo into the sanctuary is the culmination of Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy’s 20-year journey and a significant highlight event.

Humphrey Kariuki, the Patron of Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy, praised the release of the Mountain Bongos into their rightful home in the wild as not just a victory for conservationists but for all of humanity.

Dr. Alfred Mutua, the Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, underscored the significance of the comprehensive strategy the government has implemented to bolster wildlife conservation.

“The successful release of Mountain Bongos at Mawingu Sanctuary today (Tuesday) highlights the possibilities available when stakeholders harness collective will and resources towards a common goal”, he said.

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Kenya: Persistent rainfall bursts riverbank, disrupts tourism in Maasai Mara Wildlife Reserve

Posted: May 4, 2024 | Last updated: May 4, 2024

Narok, Kenya - May 3, 2024 Storyline: Raging waters and unending rainfall have caused havoc for tourism and local businesses in Maasai Mara Wildlife Reserve, a popular attraction in west Kenya's Narok County, and local authorities are mulling a disaster management plan for future disaster response. Last Tuesday, the Talek River in Maasai Mara burst its banks due to heavy downpours, inundating wildlife reserves' camps and lodges in its path. Locals and tourists said they were fortunate to be alive. Many of the tourists have been taken to higher places for safety. But the ecosystem has been greatly affected and many businesses have to wait for the floodwater to subside to pick up their pieces and start afresh. A hotel, in the heart of the reserve, has been affected immensely, with the rooms for tourists and the kitchen being destroyed by the raging waters. Tourists have been forced to adjust their plan. Businesses are counting their losses with many workers fearing for their jobs. But they are all upbeat about their employer's decision believing all setbacks are just temporary. The only option is to wait for the rains to subside, pick up the pieces and start afresh, and hope it was a once-off. Local authorities have ordered for the closure of all the camps in the park until a thorough assessment is done. However, the bad news is that more heavy rainfall is expected to pummelled the region in the coming days, according to the Kenya meteorological authorities. Shotlist: Narok, Kenya - May 3, 2024: 1. Various of floodwater, people on river bank; 2. SOUNDBITE (English) Johnson Sipitiek, Minister, Tourism and Wildlife of Narok County (partially overlaid with shot 3) "For some reason, naturally we've never seen such a phenomenon. What we need to do, because we are already on the right track, because we have done the Maasai mara national reserve management plan, and this is what we are trying to implement. What we need to do now is to ensure that we reconsider the construction of better bridges across the national reserve and also have a disaster management plan in case of anything. Then, we will be ready." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 3. Floodwater; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 4. Board; 5. Various of people at hotel; 6. Various of damaged hotel, people; 7. Various of cars, visitors; 8. SOUNDBITE (English) Huang Li, tourist: "This is not the original hotel we planned to stay, and we had to cancel two of our hotels we planned to stay. Of course, it was affected but I think overall it's OK." 9. Various of people cleaning room; 10. Various of stale food, damaged machines; 11. SOUNDBITE (English) Stephen Minis, chief warden, Maasai Mara Wildlife Reserve (partially overlaid with shot 12): "Definitely it was something we've never seen. The waters were all over and the river flooded. And it destroyed the camps along the Talek River and I think it was a big problem. We are yet to assess the situation when the water level goes down, because the old bridges are cut off. So when the waters are low, we can assess how the level of destruction is." [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 12. Various of floodwater, people on river bank; [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] 13. Floodwater. [Restrictions : No access Chinese mainland]

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Kenya’s devastating floods expose decades of poor urban planning and bad land management

Chartered Consultant in Hydrology and Water Resources, Visiting Research Fellow, King's College London

Disclosure statement

Sean Avery is affiliated with: Hydrological Society of Kenya, Water Resource Associates, Kings College London, University of Gent

King's College London provides funding as a member of The Conversation UK.

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Floods in Kenya killed at least 169 people between March and April 2024. The most catastrophic of these deaths occurred after a flash flood swept through a rural village killing 42 people . Death and destruction have also occurred in the capital, Nairobi, a stark reminder of the persistent failure to keep abreast of the city’s rapid urbanisation needs. Sean Avery , who has undertaken numerous flood and drainage studies throughout Africa, unpacks the problems and potential solutions.

Are floods in Kenya causing more damage? If so, why?

Floods are the natural consequence of storm rainfall and have an important ecological role . They inundate flood plains where silts settle, riverbed aquifers are recharged and nutrients are gathered. Annual rainfall in Kenya varies from 2,000mm in the western region to less than 250mm in the drylands covering over 80% of Kenya. But storm rainfalls are widespread. This means that floods can occur in any part of the country.

The impact of floods has become more severe due to a number of factors.

The first is how much water runs off. In rural areas, changes to the landscape have meant that there’s been an increase in the amount of storm runoff generated from rainfall. This is because the natural state of the land has been altered through settlement, roads, deforestation, livestock grazing and cultivation. As a result, a greater proportion of rainfall runs off. This runoff is more rapid and erosive, and less water infiltrates to replenish groundwater stores.

The East African Flood Model , a standard drainage design tool, demonstrates that by reducing a forested catchment into a field for livestock pasture, for instance, the peak flood magnitude can increase 20-fold. This form of catchment degradation leads to landslides, dams can breach, and road culverts and irrigation intakes are regularly washed away.

Land degradation in sub-Saharan rangelands is omnipresent, with over 90% rangeland degradation reported in Kenya’s northern drylands . Kenyan research has recorded dramatic increases in stormwater runoff due to overgrazing.

Second, human pressure in urban areas – including encroachment into riparian zones and loss of natural flood storage buffers through the destruction of wetlands – has increased flood risks. Riparian zones are areas bordering rivers and other bodies of water.

By 2050, half of Kenya’s population will live in urban areas. Green space is progressively being filled with buildings and pavements. A large proportion of urban population lives in tin-roofed slums and informal settlements lacking adequate drainage infrastructure. As a result, almost all of the storm rainfall is translated into rapid and sometimes catastrophic flooding.

Third, flood risks are worse for people who have settled in vacant land which is often in low-lying areas and within flood plains. In these areas, inundation by flood waters is inevitable.

Fourth, Nairobi’s persistent water supply shortages have led to a proliferation of boreholes whose over-abstraction has resulted in a dramatic decline in the underground water table’s levels. This leads to aquifer compression, which is compounded by the weight of buildings. The result is ground level subsidence , which creates low spots where stormwater floods collect.

What should be done to minimise the risks?

Rural areas require a different set of solutions.

Natural watercourses throughout Kenya are being scoured out by larger floods due to land use pressures. These watercourses are expanding and riparian vegetation cover is disappearing. The flood plains need space to regenerate the natural vegetation cover as this attenuates floods, reducing the force of runoff and erosion.

There are existing laws to protect riverbanks, and livestock movements in these areas must also be controlled. Any building or informal settlement within riparian areas is illegal and would otherwise be exposed to the dangers of floods. Enforcement is a challenge, however, as these areas are favoured by human activities and often these people are among the poorest.

Urban areas have a host of particular challenges that need to be addressed.

Take Nairobi, Kenya’s capital city. The physical planning process is hindered by corruption . Inappropriate and unsafe developments proliferate alongside inadequate water supply, wastewater and solid waste disposal infrastructure. Sewage effluent is often discharged into stormwater drains, even in high-class areas of the city. And there is little control of development in the growing urban centres bordering Nairobi, with transport corridors being congested. Throughout the country, laws that protect riparian zones are flouted.

None of this is sustainable.

Each municipality is obliged to provide infrastructure that includes an effective engineered stormwater drainage network. And in parallel, wastewater and solid wastes must be separately managed.

The typical stormwater drainage network comprises adequately sized earth and lined channels, and pipes and culverts that convey the stormwater to the nearest watercourse. Constant maintenance is essential, especially before the onset of rains, to avoid blockage by garbage and other human activities.

Modern-day urban flood mitigation measures include the provision of flood storage basins. Unfortunately this is impossible in Nairobi where developments are built right up to the edge of watercourses. Constrained channels thereby cause upstream flooding as there is nowhere else for the water to go.

Attempts have been made to reverse urban riparian zone encroachments , but these efforts faltered due to legal repercussions. To this day, unscrupulous developers encroach with impunity .

It’s essential that the authorities demarcate riparian boundaries and set aside buffer zones that cannot be “developed”.

• Urbanisation
• Deforestation
• Groundwater
• Water catchment
• East Africa
• Sub-Saharan Africa

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