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Mombasa – A section of the business community in Mombasa has lamented that the ongoing political rhetoric is likely to hurt the region which is just recovering from a 2-year tourism recession.
According to the businessmen who are members of the Mombasa branch of the national chamber of commerce and industry, statements being made by a cross section of politicians might scare away investors from the region.
Led by the branch chair, James Mureu, they said such statements are likely to hurt the fragile tourism sector which is on recovery path after suffering the biggest brunt of terrorism and piracy.
“The political temperatures at the moment are not conducive for the business community in the country and needs to be toned down,” said Mureu.
This follows the recent exchange between the Mombasa Governor ALi Hassan Joho and Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko before President Uhuru Kenyatta at Shika Adabu area during the issuance of title deeds to the Waitiki squatters.
The tourism industry has been on the increase since November last year following the arrival of several cruise ships at the Mombasa Port.
Over 3 000 tourist have toured Mombasa in the last three months according to the Kenya Tourism Board.
The port management also revealed that the KPA has plans to rehabilitated dock number 1 into a tourist docking facility after it emerged that more ships will be arriving at the port between January and May of 2016.
Mureu further urged for speedy construction of the Dogo Kundu bypass which he says will open the south coast area to investors since delays at the Likoni channel have adversely affected property and tourism markets in the area.
Recently after visiting the Likoni channel in Mombasa, president Uhuru Kenyatta said the Dongo Kundu by pass will be expedited to resolve the current heavy congestion and delays experienced at the Likoni Channel.
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