Narok Governor Samuel Tunai is hopeful that the discovery of the Covid-19 vaccine will revive the tourism sector that had been severely affected by the pandemic.
Governor Tunai who is also the Chair, Tourism and Wildlife Committee in the Council of
Governors (CoG) said the country had lost billions of shillings from the sector last year
after air travel bans were imposed to avert the spread of the virus.
“Tourism is the backbone of our economy as thousands of foreigners flock the
country every year to see our natural resources. We are optimistic that this year the sector will be
revived after the discovery of a vaccine,” said the county boss.
He was speaking at the Maasai Mara Game reserve where he observed that
many jobs had been lost after hotels closed at the reserve due to lack of visitors.
Tunai predicted an increase in job opportunities this year after the discovery of the vaccine as people would travel freely across the world.
“Here in Narok we want to contain the disease 100 percent to provide a good working
environment for the business fraternity who suffered huge losses last year,” he asserted.
At the same time, the governor lauded President Uhuru Kenyatta for creation of the new
Transmara South Sub County comprising of four divisions namely: Kereto, Lolgorian, Ang’ata
Barikoi and Sitoka. He termed the move a special New Year gift to Narok residents.
“The new sub county is key in bringing service delivery closer to residents as well as
boosting security in the area that experiences on and off cattle rustling incidents across the Tanzanian border and inter-clan clashes,” he said.
The second term governor called on the political class in the region to preach peace and unite the residents, warning that divisive politics could lead to hatred and bloodshed in the cosmopolitan county.
Over 96, 000 people have tested positive for Coronavirus in the country with about 1,700
succumbing to the virus.
Globally confirmed cases stand at nearly 79 million and more than 1.7 million deaths.
By Ann Salaton
