Kilifi governor urges owners of long-closed hotels to sell them as county pushes for tourism revival
Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro is urging owners of long-closed hotels to sell to new investors, saying idle properties are slowing tourism growth, job creation and local economic gains.
Hotel owners in Kilifi County whose establishments have remained closed for long periods are being urged to sell them to new investors if they are unable to restart operations.
Governor Gideon Mung’aro said the move is intended to revitalise the county’s tourism sector — a key driver of the local economy — by ensuring idle facilities are put back into productive use.
More To Read
- Third Kilifi health forum opens with urgent calls for financing, digital solutions
- Kilifi health experts warn misconceptions blocking plant-based diet adoption
- Mutua sounds alarm as drug abuse blocks coast youth from lucrative jobs abroad
- World Bank sounds alarm as Kenya’s labour market weakens, wages fall and informal jobs surge
- Shrinking opportunities, growing skills gap: What youths say they need to thrive
- Private business activity growth surges in October on strengthening sales
He emphasised that tourism creates jobs, supports local businesses, and attracts both domestic and international visitors.
“We cannot allow these hotels to remain closed when they have the potential to generate employment and bring guests to our county,” Governor Mung’aro said.
Tourism along the coast is on the rise. International visitor arrivals have increased significantly, and hotel occupancy rates in popular destinations such as Watamu and Malindi are showing strong growth.
Kilifi County has also been recognised by the Kenya Tourism Board for its promotional efforts, reflecting the region’s growing appeal to tourists.
Despite this recovery, some hotels in Kilifi remain closed. Owners cite challenges such as seasonal fluctuations, high operating costs, and difficulties attracting enough guests outside peak periods.
According to the county government, these idle properties could otherwise be contributing to the local economy.
Kilifi’s County Executive for Tourism, Raymond Ngala, said tourism continues to provide opportunities for job creation, particularly for young people, and urged owners who cannot sustain operations to hand over their hotels to capable investors.
“If a hotel cannot operate successfully, it is in everyone’s interest for it to be transferred to someone who can. This way, we ensure Kilifi’s economy benefits from both increased visitor numbers and the jobs they generate,” Ngala said.
Governor Mung’aro echoed these sentiments, stressing that revitalising dormant hotels is essential to strengthening Kilifi’s tourism sector and maintaining its status as a leading destination.
Top Stories Today
Reader Comments
Trending
