Historically regarded as a region of low economic potential, Turkana County in northwest Kenya is increasingly eliciting a lot of investment interest with tourism becoming an integral part of the regional government’s sources of revenue.

With archaeological sites, geological features, culture and Lake Turkana being central to tourist attractions, the national government has seized the opportunity to maximise returns through training in the hospitality industry

Consequently, tourism stakeholders and hotel owners in northern Kenya underwent capacity-building training organised by the national government to enhance service quality in the still-untapped Turkana hospitality industry.

Held in Lodwar from March 4-6, 2025 and supported by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA), the training was aimed at equipping players in the hospitality industry with essential skills to improve customer experience and align services with national tourism standards.

On behalf of the County Chief Officer for Tourism, Senior Tourism Officer Thomas Kipseba highlighted that the training was essential for all hospitality and hotel stakeholders, as it plays a significant role in maintaining high service standards within the industry.

Speaking during one of the session, the TRA North Rift Regional Director Moses Karanja emphasised the importance of high hospitality standards to attract visitors and investments to the region.

“With this training, I hope you [hospitality players] will be better prepared to undergo the accreditation criteria for the required standards of service delivery,” he said.

Additionally, the regional director insisted on the adoption of skills on values compliance, improved management standards, destination marketing and quality assurance framework for customer service.

Turkana County’s tourism sector has been growing rapidly in recent years as attraction sites such as Lake Turkana, Central Island National Park, Turkana Boy archaeological site and cultural festivals drawing in both domestic and international tourists.

Participants welcomed the initiative, highlighting that the training would assist them in enhancing their businesses and provide better experiences for guests. General Manager for The Cradle Hotel Lodwar, Dennis Biwott stated, “This training has given us valuable insights into improving our services. We are now better equipped to meet customer expectations.”

The TRA pledged continued support for local tourism stakeholders through future training programs and regular assessments to ensure compliance with industry standards. With improved service delivery, Turkana County is poised to strengthen its position as a leading tourism destination in northern Kenya.

Other speakers from TRA included Head of Planning and Strategy Ruth Kimaiga, Director for Standards and Quality Assurance Fredrick Jack Omondi and TRA Consultant Meshack Melly.

Representatives of the County Commissioner’s Office, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Turkana Branch and county officials from the tourism department, took part in the training.

• Tell / KNA report / By Peter Gitonga