This archive report was first published on 12 December 2019.
Floods Disrupt Holiday Travel in Kenya ¶
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Heavy rains and flooding have severely affected Kenya's tourism sector, with hotels, lodges, and national parks struggling to cope with the situation. The floods have cut off roads, disrupted traffic, and forced some establishments to turn away guests or evacuate them.
According to James ole Pere, the manager of Keekorok Lodge in the Maasai Mara National Reserve, many rivers had burst their banks, making it impossible for visitors to enjoy game drives. The reserve is a popular destination for tourists during the December holidays.
The floods have raised fears that domestic and international tourists may stay away, reducing the income of sector players who earned Sh157.4 billion in revenues last year. This is a 31.2 percent rise from the Sh119 billion posted in 2017, thanks to increased arrivals. Official data shows that 2,025,206 tourists arrived in the country last year, a rise of 37.33 percent from 1,474,671 international arrivals in 2017.
Other affected areas include the Amboseli National Park in Oloitoktok, near the Kenya-Tanzania border, and Naivasha town in Nakuru County, a favourite December holiday destination for local tourists. In Murang'a County, the Edge Wood hotel has been submerged after water breached the Chania/Maki dam.
Hotel owners and operators are facing a difficult task to ensure their guests and facilities remain safe as the heavy rains continue. 'Business operations are ongoing despite the difficult circumstances and we continue to monitor the situation,' said Jimi Kariuki, Managing Director of Sarova Hotels and Resorts.
Kenya Meteorological Department deputy director Samuel Mwangi dispelled fears that businesses would plunge into further losses, saying that rains in Nairobi, central and north eastern parts of the country will subside. However, Mombasa and its environs are likely to experience sporadic heavy rains towards the end of the year.
Transporters have also been affected as floods routinely disrupt movement between towns, with major highways either being cut off or bridges submerged. This is further likely to disrupt holiday travel, with the ripple effect being felt by the hospitality industry.
Reporting by John Mutua, George Sayagie, Stanley Kimuge, Ndung'u Gachane, and Phyllis Musasia.
