Narok: The Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) has launched a rigorous crackdown on unregulated tour vans operating along the Narok-Ewaso Nyiro-Sekenani road. The initiative comes in response to persistent complaints from tourism stakeholders who have voiced concerns about numerous tour vehicles flouting established regulations, thereby undermining the sector’s integrity.
According to Kenya News Agency, Kennedy Kaunda, the group CEO of the East Africa Tour Guides Association, has expressed concern over the growing number of untrained and unlicensed tour guides in the industry. Kaunda emphasized that tour guides are crucial to the Kenyan economy, serving as the nation’s representatives to the myriad tourists visiting each year. He warned that tour companies employing unqualified guides risk facing severe penalties as they pose a significant threat to the tourism sector, which is a substantial income generator for the economy.
Kaunda further urged the Ministry of Tourism to educate locals on the adverse effects of obstructing major tourist routes, stating that such actions could negatively impact the tourism industry. “When locals block roads, tourists are delayed for game drives and flights, posing a significant threat to our economy that heavily relies on foreign exchange,” he explained.
Francis Moonga, a tour driver, commended the TRA’s operation and encouraged his peers to obtain the necessary documentation for their own and their clients’ safety. “This is a good operation; I urge all other drivers who do not have a TRA certificate to go for it,” he said.
Stephen Nderitu, director of Incredible Africa Trails, also supported the crackdown. He recounted a recent incident where his company was defrauded of $95,000 by impostors posing as tour drivers. “The visitors had to pay a double price after being conned by people pretending to be tour operators in my company,” Nderitu stated.
The Maasai Mara National Reserve annually attracts millions of tourists eager to witness the awe-inspiring wildebeest migration from Tanzania to Kenya across the Mara River. Tourists also enjoy the reserve’s rich flora and fauna and experience the vibrant Maasai culture. The Narok county government anticipates generating over Sh 6.5 billion as Own Source Revenue (OSR) from the reserve this financial year.