Governor Timamy appeals for lifting of travel bans to Lamu

Deputy Head of the French Mission to Kenya Emanuel Renoult and Lamu County Commissioner Joseph Kanyiri arrive at Manda Island on May 17, 2016. Mr Renoult said French officials would assess the security situation in Lamu with a view to lifting travel advisories. PHOTO | ATHMAN OMAR | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • He said his government had invested in proper marketing strategies for the county’s image and reputation.
  • Tourism Executive Ms Samia Omar said all necessary measures including CCTV cameras in Lamu Town, had been put in place.
  • French Mission deputy head Emmanuel Renoult assured the governor that the matter would be urgently examined.
  • He also pledged to submit the recommendations from the county government when the team meets the county security committee over the issue.

Lamu Governor Issa Timamy has appealed to countries with active travel advisories on the county to lift them, arguing that the region was now safe for tourists.

Speaking when delegates from the French and US embassies paid him a courtesy visit at his official residence in Lamu, Governor Timamy said his government had fully cooperated with the national government and, together, they had put up adequate security measures.

He said his government had invested in proper marketing strategies for the county’s image and reputation.

These include branding Lamu the island of festivals and subsequent creation of numerous festivals that have seen Lamu attract a large number of both domestic and international tourists.

Mr Timamy said the advisories were putting the county’s tourism and hotel industries in jeopardy, adding that all security gaps had been addressed.

“Lamu is peaceful and the only challenge we have is the existing travel advisories which are painting a not-so-pleasant image of the county.

“It is unfortunate because Lamu is safe. All security measures are up to date.

“We are just concerned because the situation seems not to be favourable for our tourism and hotel industries and as such the county is suffering,” said Mr Timamy.

SECURITY MEASURES IN PLACE

Lamu County Tourism Executive Samia Omar said all necessary measures including CCTV cameras in Lamu Town, police units at the main Manda airport and within Lamu Town had been put in place to ensure the security of tourists visiting Lamu.

“The security of tourists is our first and biggest priority and as it is, we have done what we can to ensure all tourists enjoy a safe and secure stay in Lamu.

“We still intend to do much more where need be.

“The situation will, however, be much better and easier with the removal of travel advisories,” said Ms Omar.

LOOK INTO THE MATTER

French Mission deputy head Emmanuel Renoult assured the governor that the matter would be urgently examined.

He also pledged to submit the recommendations from the county government when the team meets the county security committee over the issue.

“The people of Lamu shouldn’t worry and should treat our visit as a new dawn.

“We have come to Lamu to assess the security situation and see whether the travel advisories can be lifted.

“We will be meeting with the security team and tomorrow we will be meeting with various stakeholders over the same,” said Mr Renoult.

The French envoy was accompanied by Col Richard Decombe, a French attaché at the Defence headquarters in Kenya, and Commander Daniel Kimberly, a US Navy attaché.