Terror attacks having adverse effect on tourism Kenya

Though Kenya is trying to pull up on its tourism, but it is time that the country comes face to face with its internal conflicts.

The terror attacks that took place on  02.04.2015, where 147 students were killed and 79 injured by the Somali militant group, Al-Shabaab who stormed into the dormitories of Garissa University College, in northeastern Kenya, and began shooting at sleeping Christian students, they let the Muslim students leave. This particular incident raises questions on the security that Kenya is promising to provide to the tourists that it is calling over to its country.

Kenya’s laid back attitude is somewhat disturbing. Most terror attacks are caused without warning but in this case there was a warning that both local and international intelligence sources knew about. It is rather strange why the country did not react despite prior warning.

Tourism contributes immensely to the Kenyan economy. 11 per cent of the country’s GDP came from tourism in 2014.

But going by the terror attacks, the British government tightened its Kenya travel advisory warning its citizens to limit non-essential travel to parts of the country. The warning has been extended to Garissa and coastal areas. Australia too has issued a travel warning in the last week warning its citizens about imminent militant attack. U.S.A  has also announced a travel warning, calling Kenya a vulnerable place for terror attack. Despite pressure from so many governments the Kenyan authority is denying the speculations shown by the other countries. They still feel that they can ensure safety to all tourists.

The country’s President Uhuru Kenyatta, spoke against the warning issued by the British government. He has stated that Kenya is safe for travelling.

But the Al Shabaab attacks that killed 147 people were even more devastating than the Westgate Mall attacks in 2012.

It seems that Kenya is trying to downplay its security hazards to step up its economy. Tourism is a great way to boost its dwindling economy. But the country is losing hold on its internal conflicts and is unable to manage the chaos taking place within.

The travel advisories issued by significant countries are cutting on its tourism prospects. Most hotels in the coast have been forced to shut down as inflow of people is slow. About 20,000 employees have been rendered jobless and multimillion INVESTMENTS have a gloomy future. This explains why the Kenyan government is trying to downplay the terror attacks and security condition within the country. But if tourism is the best force for strengthening the economy then the government needs to give a serious thought on how it will manage to deal with its internal security concerns.