State Department for Tourism - Kenya

Principal Secretary for State Department for Tourism - Kenya, Hon. John Ololtuaa today joined the Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya in appearing before the National Assembly Departmental Committee on Tourism and Wildlife to present the Ministry’s FY 2026/27 budget estimates.

The presentation highlighted key priority areas geared towards strengthening the tourism and wildlife sectors, including destination marketing, conservation initiatives, tourism infrastructure development, community empowerment, and diversification of tourism products.

These allocations will play a critical role in enhancing Kenya’s competitiveness as a premier tourism destination, growing conference and leisure tourism, creating jobs, and supporting sustainable economic growth across the country under the MagicalKenya agenda.

As the State Department for Tourism, we remain committed to working closely with Parliament and all sector stakeholders to ensure effective implementation of programmes and projects that will further position Kenya as a leading global tourism destination.

The proposed budget also seeks to support innovation, digital transformation, skills development, and investment promotion within the tourism sector, while strengthening resilience and sustainability for long-term sector growth.

Principal Secretary for at State Department for Tourism - Kenya Hon. John Ololtuaa, alongside Patrick Ole Ntutu, today inspected the ongoing construction of the Ushanga Mall in Sekenani, a key project funded by the Tourism Promotion Fund under the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya in collaboration with the State Department for Culture, aimed at enhancing trade, tourism, and economic opportunities for local communities within the greater Maasai Mara ecosystem.

Later in the day, the PS witnessed the official opening of sanitation facilities, a curio shop, and the upgraded Keekorok Airstrip, marking an important milestone in improving visitor experience while supporting local artisans, women, and businesses within the tourism sector.

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya

Tourism Secretary Mr. David Gitonga, this week led the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya team to the first ever World Travel & Tourism Council Leadership Cruise aboard the Crystal Serenity through the Suez Canal, which brought together over 300 leaders from the public and private sectors.

Egypt continues to demonstrate remarkable tourism growth, while Kenya recorded 2.7 million international arrivals in 2025, with the sector contributing Ksh 0.5 trillion to GDP, reaffirming tourism’s role as a key driver of economic growth, investment, and job creation.

Globally, the sector contributes USD 11.6 trillion to GDP and supports 366 million jobs worldwide.

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya

Principal Secretary for State Department for Tourism - Kenya, Hon. John Ololtuaa today attended the 3rd Annual Regulatory Authorities and Agencies (RAAs) Conference at South Eastern Kenya University (SEKU), which continued with insightful engagements focused on strengthening coordination, enhancing efficiency, and improving service delivery across Kenya’s regulatory institutions.

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya

Principal Secretary for State Department for Tourism - Kenya Hon. John Ololtuaa today hosted the Tourism and Wildlife Committee of the National Assembly at Bomas of Kenya to assess the progress of the Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC).

The PS expressed satisfaction with the steady progress of this landmark project, noting its transformative impact on Kenya’s tourism sector particularly in strengthening the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) segment and boosting international visitor arrivals.

The visit underscored the Committee’s continued support in advancing key tourism infrastructure, with the PS appreciating their oversight role in ensuring successful implementation.

While other government projects across sectors continue to progress under respective ministries, the State Department for Tourism - Kenya remains committed to sustaining momentum in positioning Kenya as a leading global tourism destination.

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya

Today, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Tourism - Kenya, Hon. John Ololtuaa, joined the Cabinet Secretary for Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya, Hon. Rebecca Miano, EGH, as she chaired a high-level ministerial consultative meeting to spearhead the implementation of the Africa Forward Partnership Summit and the Africa Forward: Le Concert. This strategic collaboration is aimed at positioning Nairobi as the "Davos of Culture" and Kenya as the premier tourism destination.

The Principal Secretary, who was moderating the meeting and accompanied by senior ministry officials and CEOs and Directors General of various ministry SAGAs, welcomed a Trace Global delegation led by Ambassador Thomas Kwaka (Big Ted) into the deliberations to finalize the roadmap for this impactful summit and historic five-year partnership.

Scheduled for May 11th and 12th, 2026, the summit serves as the official cultural closing ceremony of the Africa-France Summit under the joint patronage of H.E. President William Samoei Ruto and his French counterpart, H.E. President Emmanuel Macron.

This landmark event is set to broadcast Kenya’s creative excellence to a global audience of over 500 million viewers, leveraging Trace’s extensive media reach to support the Ministry's goal of doubling international tourist arrivals by 2027.

Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife - Kenya
MagicalKenya
Kenya Wildlife service KWS
Kenya Utalii College
KICC Kenya
State Department for Wildlife