Fixing Isiolo’s tourist parks will take time — Guyo

Isiolo Governor Abdi Hassan Guyo has promised to institute a proper marketing strategy for tourism, aimed at improving the county's revenue base.

He said the county has a huge tourism potential, which can bring revenue if properly exploited.

"We have long way to go to fix issues and make these parks great again," Guyo said.

The governor was in the company of his deputy James Lowasa when they made an impromptu visit at the Buffalo game reserve on Tuesday.

Although not well tapped, Isiolo is known for its tourism potential.

The county hosts three game reserves namely the Shaba, Buffalo Springs and Bisan Adhi.

The game reserves have impressive landscape and ranges of hills.

The sleeping lion and tortoise hill around Shaba game reserve are among the adorable features.

There are 21 natural springs within the three game reserves, with a natural swimming pool at Bufallo springs.

The water is believed to have medicinal value, treating body rashes, hence making it one of the tourist attraction sites.

Isiolo is also home to the reticulated giraffe, grevys zebra, Somali ostrich, beisa oryx, and gerenuk antelope. 

The governor is also hopeful that once the Isiolo International Airport opens, more tourists will visit the county.

The airport, whose construction cost the taxpayer in excess of Sh3.1 billion, was officially opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta in July 2017.

However, it has largely failed to live up to its expectations, with some airlines withdrawing flights.

The airport would also serve the neighbouring counties of Meru, Laikipia, Samburu and Central Kenya.

The governor further promised to tackle insecurity, which has threatened to cripple tourism in Isiolo.

He also promised to address the issue of illegal firearms, which he said is killing tourism in the county.

(Edited by Bilha Makokha)