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Investment in Cultural Tourism will Expand Economic Opportunities
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The Government will exploit Kenya’s rich cultural heritage to diversify tourist attractions
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The Government is keen on promoting cultural tourism to generate more tourism revenues.
 President William Ruto said the Government will exploit Kenya’s rich cultural heritage to diversify tourist attractions. He argued that tourism is no longer just about sights and sounds but also about the people. He noted that the Government will partner with Counties to support cultural preservation initiatives. He cited the provision of funds for Maa Cultural Festival that will be celebrated annually. “Today’s tourist is drawn to authentic cultural experiences; therefore, today’s tourism must meet a higher standard,” he said. He made the remarks on Tuesday during the Maasai Cultural Festival at Sekenanie Gate, Narok County. He was accompanied by Cabinet Secretaries Peninah Malonza (Tourism) and Soipan Tuya (Environment), Governors Patrick ole Ntutu (Narok), Joseph Lenku (Kajiado) and Jonathan Lati Leliliit (Samburu) and a host MPs. He noted that the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation has identified induction of boys ahead of initiation, shaving of morans and meat-eating ceremony that marks entry into adulthood as Intangible Cultural Items. “I extend my gratitude to the Maasai community for their unwavering commitment to the preservation of Maa traditions and culture. Your resilience has given Kenya a global identity and enriched our nation’s cultural mosaic,” he said. The President said Government will start ceding 50 percent of revenues from national parks to host communities as part of efforts to transform their lives. He said the move was aimed at benefiting host communities, through projects aimed at uplifting their lives. “I have directed that all revenues from our national parks and game reserves should be divided equally between the host counties and the national government,” he said. |
![The signing ceremony took place in Kisumu, with Governor Prof. Anyang’ Nyong’o representing the county government and UN-Habitat Executive Director in Kenya, Anaclaudia Rossbach, signing on behalf of the UN agency. Under the agreement, both parties commit to jointly implementing the housing upgrade project, which Governor Nyong’o said will primarily target vulnerable groups. “The PINUA programme [is] designed to benefit the most vulnerable members of the community,” Nyong’o said, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to fostering sustainable neighborhoods equipped with essential services. Beginning November 1, 2025, the county government, working with UN-Habitat, will launch pilot projects in Kibuye Estate and Muhoroni Sub-County, based on designs and models developed through extensive public participation. The programme will focus on upgrading informal settlements by providing essential social infrastructure such as schools, sanitation facilities, affordable rental housing, early childhood development centres, and public open spaces. It also supports incremental housing models, allowing families to progressively build and eventually own decent homes. Rossbach emphasized UN-Habitat’s global commitment to driving transformative change in urban areas: “This partnership is crucial in advancing our new strategy, which focuses on improving housing access and digitally transforming informal settlements for everyone.” According to UN-Habitat housing architect Fred Omenya, the pilot phase will begin in January 2026 with the construction of two blocks of 24 housing units in Kibuye Estate.](https://businessinsights.africa/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/About-us-still-25957706200_7ca2db7e5e_k-100x70.jpg "Kisumu, UN-Habitat sign Ksh2.7bn deal for social housing upgrade")
