Kilifi Governor Amason Kingi, British High Commissioner Nic Hailey, Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho and French Ambassador Antoine Siva take a walk at a public beach after holding a meeting on Monday. [Photo/nation.co.ke]
The tourism sector in the Coast region is set to receive a major boost after the United Kingdom and the European Union pledged to support the six counties in reviving the industry.Speaking to journalists at Sarova Whitesands Beach Resort, UK ambassador to Kenya Nic Hailey said his government is committed to assisting the region to solve different problems including terrorism, radicalisation of youth and violent extremism, in a bid to promote peace.The ambassador met Governor Hassan Joho (Mombasa), Amason Kingi (Kilifi) and other leaders in the region to discuss issues of security in the region as the operation to flush out al-Shabaab militia from Boni Forest continues.“We held talks with the governors and county officials on security. Our wish is for the county chiefs to support peace initiatives for the safety of locals and visitors,” said Hailey, as quoted by the Nation.Hailey said he intends to help Coast counties market and promote tourism in the UK, in a bid to boost the sector.“I am among the British who visit Mombasa and other parts of the region for holiday due to the stunning beaches and tropical weather,” he said.He also said that the UK Government is ready to fund and support health, investment and infrastructural development in the region. On his part, Joho thanked the UK Government for supporting the Coast region in the fight against youth radicalisation.“Through support from the Department of International Development (DFID), the UK has helped us empower our youth through plucking them out of poverty,” said Joho.