This archive report was first published on 10 May 2021.
Published on May 10, 2021, tourism stakeholders in Kilifi County are demanding fair distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, citing concerns that they have been left out of the current vaccination exercise.
The Kenya Hotel Keepers and Caterers Association (KHKCA) has expressed disappointment that despite being classified as frontline workers, they have yet to receive the vaccine.
KHKCA Chairperson Maureen Awuor stated that the vaccine rollout for the tourism industry was initiated in Nairobi and Mombasa counties but has yet to reach Kilifi County, a major tourism hotspot.
‘We are still expecting to receive the vaccination, which we have not been given. Some counties like Nairobi had already dedicated some vaccines for frontline workers in the hotel industry, but other counties like ours have not followed suit,’ Awuor said.
Awuor, who is also the General Manager of Ocean Beach Resort and Spa in Malindi, expressed frustration that despite speaking with the Kilifi County Tourism CEC Member Nahida Athman, she has yet to receive a response on the issue.
During the monthly clean-up exercise organized by the Progressive Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM), Awuor emphasized the importance of teamwork and maintaining a clean environment.
‘It is good to have teamwork, it is good to work together because the environment is very important. We have to clean our environment and keep it clean always, not just on the days of the clean-up but every time,’ she said.
Michael Gichohi from Casino Malindi expressed concern that as tourism stakeholders, they have not been prioritized in the vaccination drive, despite having over 100 staff members who interact with foreign guests.
‘Every time we ask about the vaccination, we are told we are not in the first phase. We stakeholders in the hotel industry need to be vaccinated because we are dealing with foreigners who are coming on a daily basis, and we would want our staff to be vaccinated,’ Gichohi said.
Gichohi called on the authorities to set aside some vaccines for the hotel industry, citing concerns that staff are not safe, particularly those dealing with foreigners.
‘I am sure if everybody is vaccinated, that is going to boost our business because everybody will see that we are operating a casino that is COVID-19 free,’ he said.
