The Kenyan government has criticised the media for misreporting the level of violence in the areas of the country most popular with tourists.
A £1.5 million global private sector recovery programme has now been facilitated by government to rejuvenate the tourism industry, which accounts for 12% of Kenyan GDP.
Speaking to Travel Weekly during a visit to the UK last week, cabinet secretary for the ministry of East African affairs, commerce and tourism, Phyllis Jepkosgei Kandie, said the attacks were isolated and away from tourist areas.
“Unfortunately there was a lot of misreporting claiming that Kenya was in a war zone, which is simply not the case”, said Kandie.
“Social media then spread this rumour without investigation. In reality the violence was contained and arrests have been made.
“Nevertheless, significant investment in security has been made to ensure that safety is a priority.
“A new airport is being built in the north to give visitors another option to fly into, the tourist branch of the police has been revamped, along with community policing programmes and CCTV investment. The message is that Kenya is safe.”