Tourist destinations in the coastal town of Lamu remain safe despite the recent terrorist attack, the Kenya Association of Travel Agents (KATA) has said.
KATA Chief Executive Ms Agnes Mucuha stated that the recent attack in Lamu is related to the American’s global politics and is in no way a direct attack on Kenya as a country.
She reiterated statements by other tourism industry players who maintained that tourist destinations in Lamu remain safe.
The Kenya Tourism Federation Chairman Mr Mohamed Hersi, in a statement issued last week assured the public that the tourist attraction in Lamu is a small fraction of the entire county which is safe. He added that the areas usually targeted by radicals are small and far from the tourist sites.
He added that the tourist sites in Lamu have always been safe and are accessed through a flight to Manda mainland and across the channel to the island.
On the other hand, Iran through their embassy in Nairobi has already pledged not to drag Kenya into its wrangles with the US. The head of the political department at the Iranian Department, Mr Tohid Afzali, in a press briefing last week assured the public that Iran will maintain a closer relationship with Kenya.
The statement came in the wake of an attack in Lamu in which four terrorists were killed. The Al- Shaabab claimed responsibility for the attack. The Manda Airstrip was closed temporarily after the attack but resumed services shortly thereafter.
The attack was seen as retaliation by Iran on US forces or their bases across the world following the killing of Iran top military general Qasem Soleimani.
“The attacks on an innocent country are quite unfortunate especially where life is lost and property destroyed. These attacks cause panic and disrupt business which is not good for a developing country”, she said.
Tourists and travellers, she further said, who are planning holidays in the coastal town and any other destination in the country should be assured of their safety as Kenya is a peaceful and safe country.
The recent travel advisory issued by the British Government named Garissa, Mandera and Tana River as areas that their citizen need to exercise caution. Areas of caution named did not include safari destinations, beach resorts, Lamu Island and Manda Island.
