County signs tourism deal with Chinese TV

China’s state television, CCTV, will shoot a documentary to market Laikipia County to Chinese tourists and investors.

Governor Joshua Irungu and Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Liun Xianfa reached the deal at the Chinese Embassy in Nairobi on Tuesday.

Mr Liun said the documentary would be shot ahead of a visit by a delegation of Chinese investors to Laikipia in September.

The envoy said investors from his country were keen on infrastructure, agro-processing and tourism.

The governor’s principal assistant, Mr John Wambugu, said the ambassador expressed willingness to introduce the county to Chinese investors and tourists.

NAROK COUNTY

Laikipia will be the second county to be promoted in China by CCTV after Narok County, whose Maasai Mara Game Reserve has become popular with Chinese tourists after a documentary by the channel.

Mr Wambugu, in a statement, said the envoy was impressed by the governor’s efforts to transform the lives of the county’s residents.

The governor assured China of political goodwill and peace in the county, which he said had created a conducive environment for investment.

Meanwhile, Mr Irungu is among TNA governors who have backtracked on their call for a referendum to devolve more funds to counties.

“The governor insists that instead of calling for a referendum, it will be more productive to utilise the already formed partnerships by the national government to bring more investment to the counties,” Mr Wambugu said.