We are in deep trouble as
a country, specifically
our tourism sector.
Honestly, who will visit Mombasa, and by extension our
coastal region, after 50 youths armed
with pangas robbed cruise passengers Mombasa this past week.
This
raised serious concerns and shore
excursions were cancelled.
This is not the kind of story we
should try to camouflage.
Is this incident politically inspired or motivated? Are the youth at the Coast rebelling over the difficulties they are
facing? Whatever the case, it’s time
to feel very sad about our beloved
Coast and call out this incident.
Robbery incidents are not new
in the region, or any busy tourism
towns. Despite this, the region,
just like our iconic wildlife safaris,
still draws tourists from across the
world to see our beautiful beaches,
and explore the water, through boat
trips, water sports, and even deep
see diving.
Tourists are also spoilt for choice
of cuisine that ‘Coasterians’ have to
offer. Surely, what’s not to love about
that feeling of being in a beach town,
waking up to the sun rising over the
sea and savouring beautiful sunsets
in some spots?
That said, the economy of the
Coast region is largely driven by
tourism.
Mostly by the hotel industry, which then trickles down to taxis, tuk-tuks, buses, dhows, yachts,
train businesses, foreign exchange
businesses, eateries, smaller accommodation spots, handicraft souvenir
kiosks and shops, businesses, clubs
and many other miscellaneous enterprises.
All that stated above is, however,
not so important, if we cannot guarantee the security of residents, local
tourists and international tourists.
As a frequent visitor to the Coast,
now that part of my extended family is there, of utmost importance is
that I can get to the Coast efficiently,
via the SGR or by air.
Upon arrival
in Mombasa, I book a taxi or take
a matatu to my final destination,
hoping I will not be overcharged,
conned, threatened by unsafe driving or worse, fall into the hands of
a thuggish taxi driver.
Once I get to
my apartment or hotel, the security
of the area booked is of paramount
importance, as is how safe I am in
my apartment or hotel.
Should I decide to go out to buy
street food, or for some, to go to a
nightclub, the thought of a secure
taxi ride and chauffeur comes to
mind. If I decide to walk, the security of the streets also comes to
mind.
Meaning, I hope I will have a
blissful time without being mugged,
or mcheled, meaning drugged by a
spiked drink.
Should I then decide to visit
restaurants serving coastal or international cuisines or tourism
sites, the major thought would be
fair costing.
I always think foreigners and locals should pay a more or
less similar entry fee. Let the cost
be transferred to other things, such
as the cost of a visa. It feels unusual
sometimes, walking with a foreigner, and coughing up different sums
to see the same thing.
I believe lowering their entry fees is one measure
that would make tourists feel welcome to many sites. Sometimes, the
different entry costs also encourage
greed, thus, the probability of tourists being conned on entry fees to
some sites.
This entire narrative basically boils
down to safety; how secure an individual or a group of tourists will feel
if they visit our now not-so-wonderful coastal towns.
I have never had
any issues where my own safety was
compromised, and I’m sure many
other people feel the same. But the
new trend of insecurity is worrying.
The government has played its
part having established a number
of agencies to oversee the tourism
sector, but is this enough? This is one
of those sectors that we shouldn’t
play around with.
I visited Zanzibar towards the end
of last year, and I was surprised by
the super huge influx of tourists,
to the small but well-crafted and
protected island.
All I think about
now is when I will go back. As a woman, I felt safe, welcomed and
lived the dream beach life for the
short period I was there.
One major and positive thing I
noticed was the kind of Ubuntuism
(togetherness) the locals share. They
all feel a sense of ownership of their
magical island.
Maybe that’s what
our Kenyans living at the Coast, especially the youth, should have: a
strong sense of Ubuntuism!
As we deliberate on what to do,
apologise, stay optimistic and, wait
for the insecurity story to fade away,
hopefully as fast as possible, the
robbed tourists and the rest of their
group are safely docked in vibrant
Zanzibar, our forever arch-enemy
tourism competitor, having a real
feel of what safety feels like in a
beach town.
The 1,169 passengers
and crew, who had arrived aboard
the MV Crystal Symphony from
Mahe, Seychelles, only to be robbed,
left on Tuesday for Zanzibar. Over to
you, Waziri and other key tourism
stakeholders.
The writer is a
democracy support
researcher and
scholar
