Tourism Revenue Up 1,000% in energy, Governor Credits Reforms in Nairobi

Kenya aims to harness intra-African tourism under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to grow the sector to Sh1 trillion annually by 2027, according to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.Speaking at the 15th Magical Kenya Travel Expo at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, he emphasized tourism as a critical pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) and a key driver for transport, logistics, trade, investment, and MSMEs.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) projects that Kenya’s tourism sector contributed Sh1.2 trillion in 2025, over 7% of GDP, and sustains at least 1.7 million jobs. Infrastructure projects, including the Nairobi-Nakuru-Mau Summit Highway, Standard Gauge Railway expansion, Lamu Port development, and increased direct international flights, are enabling the sector’s growth.
Deputy President Kindiki highlighted emerging tourism products, such as astro-tourism in Samburu, desert safaris in Chalbi, and technology-driven experiences linked to Kenya’s Silicon Savannah.
Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano said the sector earned Sh452 billion in 2024 from 2.4 million international arrivals, with domestic tourism generating over 10 million bed nights annually. She outlined priorities: attracting investment in facilities, scaling global marketing, and building capacity to sustain service standards. Reforms such as visa openness and electronic travel authorizations for all African countries have made Kenya one of the continent’s most accessible destinations.
Principal Secretary for Tourism, John Lekakeny Ololtuaa, noted that the government is mapping national tourist attractions and fostering cross-border collaboration to harmonize standards, diversify offerings, and integrate cultural and creative economy initiatives.
Kenya continues to position itself as a leading destination for sustainable and inclusive tourism, leveraging infrastructure, policy support, and private-sector partnerships.