Nairobi: The Kenyan government intends to double the number of tourists visiting the country in 2026 as a way of boosting the economy and creating more jobs for the youth. While addressing visitors at her rural home, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife, Ms. Rebecca Miano, said that in 2024-2025, the country received over 2.4 million tourists.
According to Kenya News Agency, Ms. Miano noted that the government was putting plans in place to double the number of tourists to over 5 million in 2026, adding that it was also targeting domestic tourists. She stated that this goal will be achieved through aggressive marketing, diversification in areas such as Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) and culture, easier travel options like electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) and Open Skies agreements, new airline licenses, and infrastructure upgrades.
The Cabinet Secretary highlighted that boosting the tourism sector in the country is a key enabler in job creation and economic growth. During
her visit, she hosted hundreds of local people and distributed Christmas gifts to them at her rural home in Gwa Kihara Village of Ndaragwa Constituency.
Ms. Miano encouraged Kenyans to continue supporting the government to realize meaningful development. She emphasized the government’s commitment to improving road infrastructure to ease transport and noted ongoing rural electrification projects aimed at uplifting the living standards of local people.
