Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Rebecca Miano and Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata have affirmed commitment of both levels of government to strengthen collaboration aimed at unlocking the county’s tourism and wildlife conservation potential.

Recognising their shared mandate in promoting and developing tourism, the ministry of tourism and wildlife and the Murang’a County government agreed to work together in advancing the tourism sector in the County.

Speaking at Rapids Camp on River Sagana, Ms Miano said the ministry had discussed various areas of cooperation and partnership with the county government noting that together, they have come up with various proposals that could be used to market Murang’a as a tourism destination

“Murang’a has many attractions for cultural tourism, agritourism and adventure tourism. We have culminated here for the first-ever African Water Rafting Championship that has brought together 10 countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, DR Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan, Morocco and Burundi among others,” she said.

“We are pleased to see adventure and sports tourism thriving in Murang’a, which is hosting this championship,” she added.

She welcomed the delegates and the chairperson of the African Rafting Council from Morocco, noting that Kenya, through the ministry of sports, sponsored the championship, which demonstrates the government’s commitment to promoting sports tourism in the country.

Miano further urged counties to forge working relationships and to partner where they share common attraction sites such as rafting on River Sagana.

“Every county is endowed with products that can promote tourism. The ministry of tourism and wildlife will support them so that together we can promote tourism for both domestic and international visitors,” she added.

Governor Kang’ata noted that the county government has been positioning Murang’a as an investment destination and is now beginning to see results.

“Today we are here at Rapids Camp in Kiharu Constituency to market this camp and water sports as a tourism attraction,” he said.

“We are hosting the first international water rafting competition, with several countries participating,” he added.

The governor added that tourism would boost the local economy, attract foreign exchange and create jobs. The Ministry and the county government agreed to collaborate through joint actions such as joint mapping and identification of all unique tourism products and activities in the county.

They will also be conducting targeted marketing of Murang’a tourism products and diversifying tourism products and experiences by supporting annual Murang’a cultural festivals, sport tourism activities, adventure tourism as well as rehabilitating Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga.

Other actions include development of Murang’a county tourism investment profile, implementing youth-centric tourism activities, opening and gazetting of new Aberdare forest gates among others.

Chair of the African Rafting Council Belabbas El Mamoun and part of the championship’s organising team, noted that Kenya’s establishment of a national rafting federation made it possible to host the event.

“When I was informed that Kenya now has a federation, I knew we could organise the championship here,” he said.

He added that now that Kenya is a member of the World Rafting Federation, it qualified to host world rafting cup events and was set to host the first World Cup next year.

• A Tell Media / KNA report / By Purity Mugo