This archive report was first published on 3 July 2020.
Published on July 3, 2020, the Tourism Fund is facing a major setback with the resignation of its Chief Executive Officer Joseph Cherutoi and Corporate Services Director Eric Kiplagat.
The two officials' departure was announced in an internal memo by the fund's board chairman Alfonse Kioko, who stated that the board has met to appoint an acting chief executive, pending a substantive appointment.
“This is a major change in our organisation and we request all staff to continue with their normal duties so that their performance is not affected in any way,” said Kioko.
The Tourism Fund, a state corporation established under the Tourism Act, 2011, has seen its mandate to mobilise resources for the development of the tourism industry in Kenya severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic.
According to Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala, the tourism sector has lost approximately Sh80 billion since the breakout of Covid-19 in December last year.
As part of efforts to resuscitate the industry, the government has initiated a special budget of Sh2 billion to provide attractive loans to investors, enabling them to establish tourism infrastructure such as hotels, restaurants, and other related businesses.
