Tourism CS Najib Balala at a past event. [Photo/ nation.co.ke]
Tourism Cabinet Secretary (CS) Najib Balala has hit out at opposition leaders accusing them of scaring away investors and tourists through ‘negative talk’.Balala said the number of tourists and investors visiting the country has declined in the recent weeks due to the rising political temperatures.He said the political uncertainty in regards to the repeat presidential poll coupled with NASA’s demands and threats is hurting the economy especially the tourism sector.The Tourism CS said Kenya’s economic growth is likely to deteriorate further due to the political tension and anxiety in the country.“Our colleagues in NASA should stop the negative talk they are engaging in and preach peace for the sake of the country’s economic development,” said Balala, as quoted by the Standard.Balala asked opposition leaders to tone down and use the right language as they push for their demands ahead of the repeat presidential poll slated for October 17.The Tourism CS also asked the opposition to preach peace among their supporters.This comes after NASA leaders said they will not participate in the repeat poll unless their demands are fully addressed.The opposition is pushing for the removal of IEBC CEO Ezra Chiloba alongside other officials whom have been accuses of bungling the August 8 presidential election which was nullified by the Supreme Court.Jubilee politicians have however dismissed NASA’s threats to boycott the poll, claiming that the opposition is plotting for the formation of a coalition government.