National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula has today recounted a cultural misrepresentation that happened in London last year.
Wetang'ula said they were in the country for the celebrations of 75 years of the commonwealth when "black muscular men" masquerading as Maasai turned up at the event.
While putting to task Tourism Cabinet Secretary nominee Rebecca Miano to explain her strategies to market Kenya abroad, Wetang'ula noted that as it is currently, little was being done.
"Part of the participants in the preparation was the Kenya High Commission. When we went to the opening of the event, on the list was Maasai dancers to celebrate the 75 years," he narrated.
"Who turned up?
"Black men with heavy muscles as Maasais," he described.
He went on "When one of our colleagues asked which part of Maasailand do you come from, they disappeared...after a very poor performance."
Such misrepresentations, according to the Speaker, have the potential of undermining tourism.
He stated that it was unfortunate that tourism was no longer the leading revenue exchange earner to the country unlike many years ago.
"What are you going to do to differently to market our country in major destinations to increase the number of tourists from the current two million to 10 million?" he asked.
Wetang'ula even suggested having some foreign nationals in the major destinations to help market the country rather than having tourist attaches in every country.
"China has more than 200 million nationals going out every year as tourists...if you can just get two or three of those you can imagine the impact on our GDP," he remarked.
In response, Miano acknowledged the challenges and emphasised the need for innovative approaches, including refreshing Kenya's tourism brand.
She said if they get the right individuals with the necessary skills, competence and strong linguistics, they are going to realize their objective of enhancing the country's tourism appeal.
