Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has called upon governors in Western Kenya to market tourism as a means of maximising opportunities. Odinga who launched two ultra modern boats in Lake Victoria on Sunday said that the Western Kenya tourists circuit has potential that has remained untapped.
He said that he has urged the governors from the region to approach the issue as a unit in order to be able to turn around the tourism sector in the region.
“I have met our governors from Kisumu, Vihiga, Kakamega, Kam Bay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Siaya, Busia and Bungoma to encourage them so that they can come together to strengthen the tourism sector,” he said.
The CORD leader said that the counties in the region are sitting on a gold mine that is capable of turning around the economy of the region. He said that there are a number of tourists sites that must be preserved and enhanced to attract both domestic and international tourists.
He further said that the 2 boats will be important in setting the pace on how lake transport is critical to boost economy in the region. The two boats which costed Kshs. 8 million each including shipment were brought from USA by a businessman who is keen to tap lake transport.
The businessman Sammy Maina who is based in Boston USA said that he is back home to invest and plans to roll out more boats into the lake.
“I am back in Kenya to invest and I promise that this is only the first phase of my plans, I will bring in more boats to Lake Victoria,” he said.