Friday, July 13, 2018

MEMORANDUM TO THE NATIONAL ASSEMBLY OF KENYA


To: The Clerk of the National Assembly of Kenya. 

CC: The Parliamentary Committee on Sports, Culture and Tourism.

From: The Community Based Tourism Consortium of Kenya.

Date: May 14, 2018

Subject: The Miscellaneous Amendment Bill No.  12 of 2018.
The Community Based Tourism Consortium of Kenya comprises of several legally registered organizations working together to enhance livelihoods of local communities through Community Based Tourism. These institutions include: The Kenya Community Based Tourism Network (KECOBAT), The Ecotourism Kenya (EK), and Rural Tourism Network of Kenya (RTN).

We write to provide our analysis of The Miscellaneous Amendment Bill No.  12 of 2018 which is currently before various relevant departmental committees of the National Assembly

Our input seeks to provide a critical analysis of the notice to amend The Tourism Act No.28 2011 taking into account international principles and best practices in tourism governance.  

The Proposed amendments to the Act and our position.

The bill sees to make the following amendments to the Tourism Act No. 28 of 2011:

  • Section 7 (1) (a). Formulate guidelines and prescribe measures for sustainable tourism throughout the country.


Proposed amendment: Deletion of the word ‘sustainable’ from section 7 (1) (a) and inserting the words “establishments and operations” immediately after word ‘tourism’.
After the amendment, the section will then read: formulate guidelines and prescribe measures for tourism establishments and operations throughout the country.

Our position.
The concept of sustainable tourism is gaining traction as an approach that seeks to reconcile economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism development. The popularity and the need to promote sustainable tourism development was underscored in 2017 when the United Nations declared 2017 the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development in order to promote a change in policies and business practices within the sector and also in the  habits of consumers and travelers.
As Community Based Tourism stakeholders, we hold the view that sustainable tourism has never been more relevant than in today’s world where environmental and cultural degradation are the commonplace of tourism development in various destinations of the world.
Consequently, it is incumbent upon various stakeholders- such as policy makers- to formulate policies and regulations that promote sustainable tourism development in the country. As such, we are not in agreement with the intention to expunge sustainability from the current section of the Act.

Our proposal: we propose insertion of the sentence “to realize sustainable tourism development” after the word ‘operations’ as the ultimate goal or aspirations of the role of formulation of guidelines and measures for tourism establishments and operations. Hence, the new section will read:  Formulate guidelines and prescribe measures for tourism establishments and operations to realize sustainable tourism development throughout the country.

  • The Bill intends to delete section 7 (b) of the Act which reads: regulate tourism activities and services countrywide, in accordance with the national tourism strategy.

The role of regulation of tourism activities in the country was donated to the TRA which is a body corporate established by the Tourism Act No. 28 of 2011 under section 4.  The regulatory roles of TRA were operationalized though the gazettement of legal notice No. 128 (Tourism Regulatory Authority Regulations 2014) vide the Kenya Gazette Supplement No. 142.  The TRA regulates the Tourism sector through standardization and licensing as provided for in the TRA regulations 2014.

Our position:
The amendment seeks to take away this legally mandated regulatory role of TRA without necessarily donating the same role to any other body corporate. It is our considered view that this shall create a regulatory lacuna that may pose a challenge to effecting and maintaining quality and standards of tourism establishments and activities in the country. We recommend that the regulatory roles remain in the interim with the TRA until such a time when such roles shall be partially or fully donated to another body or institution.



  
This is memorandum is prepared and signed by all the organizations constituting the Community Based Tourism Consortium of Kenya including:

Kenya Community based Tourism (KECOBAT)
Represented by: Mr. Taiko Lemayian (Executive Director) 


The Ecotourism Kenya (EK)
Represented by: Ms. Grace Nderitu (Chief Executive Officer)


The Rural Tourism Network (RTN)
Represented by:  Mr. Bicholas Ayimba (Chief Executive Officer)                   

Wednesday, January 31, 2018

LIVERPOOL COSY HOMESTAY



Liverpool Cosy Homestay is located off Mombasa Road at Senior Staff Estate (Opposite Shalom Hospital). The home is 10 – 15 minutes from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport and about 30 minutes from Nairobi City Centre.

The four bedroomed home has three beds elegantly furnished rooms to give you a home away from home feeling. Each room is fitted with a wardrobe, reading table and a chair.  There is a seating area, a dining area and a fully equipped kitchen.  Meals are prepared upon request but guests can be allowed to prepare their own meals.

It’s an ideal place for individuals, couples and family.

Free private parking available on site.

WIFI Available

Airport pickup, car-hire and laundry services are provided upon request.

The National Park, Animal Orphanage, Ostrich farm, and many of Kenya's attractions are just a short drive away from the home.

Contacts
Ms. Josephine Mweu
Email: josie.mweu@gmail.com
Phone: +254 700 395 404/ +254 708 083 682
Price per Night  : Ksh. 5,000( Price includes Bed & Breakfast) , A visitor who stays for more than 3 Nights gets a discount

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Tuesday, September 27, 2016

ISUKHA HERITAGE ORGANIZATION

Isukha Heritage Organisation is a local NGO which started as Community Based Organisation with Membership drawn from all genders irrespective of age,sex, nationality or ethnical background. It was established in 1996 by two Conservationists- Mathew M. Shilabula and Daniel M. Murende who witnessed the loss of the rich cultural biodiversity and reduction of livelihood among Isukha Community of which resulted to immense poverty. Isukha is a name derived from Isukha Community being a Sub- tribe of Luhyia found in Western Kenya which borders and surrounds Kakamega rainforest in the Northern and Southern parts. Isukha Community comprises of three Divisions namely Shinyalu, Ileho and part of Kakamega Municipality in the New Kakamega East District.

For more information:
Tel: 020 2319458
Mobile: +254 726 489 446 / +254 720 546 457
Email : info@kecobat.org
Follow us on Twitter: @KECOBAT 
Like us on Facebook: Kenya Community Based Tourism Network  

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Monday, July 11, 2016

MONDI MALICK HOMESTAY



The homestay is run by Mr. Malick Mondi, a member of Farmers Dialogue Africa, a worldwide organization. The house set a side for guests was initially the parent’s house now converted for guest’s accommodation. The house has spacious separate four bedrooms. Besides, the family also practices agro business where Malbary plants are grown for processing silk material.

For more information:
Tel: 020 2319458
Mobile: +254 726 489 446 / +254 720 546 457
Email : info@kecobat.org
Follow us on Twitter: @KECOBAT 
Like us on Facebook: Kenya Community Based Tourism Network  

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KEEP BANDAS AND COTTAGES


Kakamega Environmental Education Programme (KEEP) is Community Based Tourism Organization situated within Kakamega Wildlife Conservancy. The Organization is currently having 12 affiliate host families providing homestays accommodation services to visitors. The group operates on a leased land contributing 5% of their income to Kenya Forest Service (KFS). 

Visitors can stay in the group’s ‘bandas’ (cottages) and have a pleasant experience of the exciting Forest's rich biodiversity Park and have the option to interact with locals and involve in the myriad community conservation activities including environmental conservation education, Energy conservation techniques, Butterfly farm project of over 400 species, Nature walks, Sunrise/sunset on Lirhanda hill, Bird watching of over 300 birds species, Hiking and Cultural entertainment such as bullfights and story telling. 

The Organization also runs Conference facilities, Tree nursery for commercial and medical plants for processing Mondia Tonic at their own community owned village based processing plant based in Kakamega town and information centre and Canopy Watch Tower allowing people to accesses and view the beautiful landscape as well as health programmes focusing on reproductive sexual health and HIV/AIDS awareness services.


For more information:
Tel: 020 2319458
Mobile: +254 726 489 446 / +254 720 546 457
Email : info@kecobat.org
Follow us on Twitter: @KECOBAT 
Like us on Facebook: Kenya Community Based Tourism Network  

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Monday, June 27, 2016

STONEYHILL VIEW HOMESTAY


Stoneyhill view is situated in Kisumu Town, on the prime Kajulu Hills of Mamboleo area. Accommodation services comprises of 8 en-suite rooms and unique restaurant area overlooking the beautiful view of Lake Victoria. In addition the house an executive meeting hall suited for special breakaway corporate stayover.

For more information:
Tel: 020 2319458
Mobile: +254 726 489 446 / +254 720 546 457
Email : info@kecobat.org
Follow us on Twitter: @KECOBAT 
Like us on Facebook: Kenya Community Based Tourism Network  

More Pictures