REBECCA MIANO: 17,000 PASSENGERS THROUGH MOMBASA AIRPORT SHOW GLOBAL CONFIDENCE IN KENYA'S TOURISM

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, EGH, has welcomed the growing number of international visitors arriving through Moi International Airport, Mombasa, saying the latest passenger figures reflect renewed global confidence in Kenya as a safe and attractive tourism destination.

According to data from Moi International Airport, more than 17,000 passengers passed through the airport over a 10-day period, with 8,948 arrivals and 8,319 departures, highlighting the steady recovery and growth of Kenya's tourism sector.

Miano said the figures demonstrate that international travellers continue to choose Kenya despite negative narratives that have emerged in recent months regarding the country's security.

"The numbers speak for themselves. More than 17,000 passengers passing through Moi International Airport in just 10 days is a strong vote of confidence in Kenya as a world-class tourism destination," she said.

She noted that the Coast remains one of the country's biggest tourism magnets, attracting visitors with its white sandy beaches, rich Swahili heritage, marine parks and proximity to iconic wildlife attractions.

The Cabinet Secretary attributed the positive trend to sustained government efforts to market Kenya internationally, strengthen partnerships with airlines and improve visitor experiences across the tourism value chain.

She said the increased passenger traffic is expected to boost the coastal economy by creating business opportunities for hotels, restaurants, tour operators, transport providers, beach operators, artisans and thousands of Kenyans whose livelihoods depend on tourism.

Moi International Airport continues to receive flights from major international airlines, including Condor, Discover Airlines, Neos, TUI, Enter Air, flydubai, Turkish Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Uganda Airlines and RwandAir, connecting Mombasa to key tourism markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Miano reaffirmed the government's commitment to ensuring Kenya remains a secure, welcoming and competitive destination for holidaymakers, conference delegates and business travellers.

She said the government will continue investing in tourism promotion, destination marketing, infrastructure development and enhanced connectivity to sustain the sector's growth.

The latest passenger figures come amid a national debate on Kenya's security following remarks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua urging tourists to reconsider travelling to the country over security concerns.

Tourism stakeholders have maintained that such statements risk harming Kenya's international image and undermining efforts to grow visitor arrivals.

However, Miano reiterated that Kenya remains open for business and tourism, emphasizing that visitors continue to enjoy the country's diverse attractions, warm hospitality and unique experiences.

She expressed confidence that with continued collaboration between the government and the private sector, Kenya will strengthen its position as one of Africa's leading tourism destinations while delivering greater economic benefits to communities that depend on the industry.