Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua has encouraged women and youth to invest in Airbnb businesses despite the recent negative publicity.
Speaking during the Kenya Association of Women in Tourism annual conference on Wednesday, January 31, the CS noted that the short-term stay facilities will continue playing a key role in growing the tourism sector.
However, he acknowledged the challenges in the sector highlighting the importance of embracing alternatives to traditional accommodations.
Mutua also reiterated that his ministry is actively working on new regulations to ensure the establishments operate within the legal framework including collecting views from members of the public to help refine regulations governing the business.
This, he noted will allow the ministry to take a proactive stance, signalling a commitment to balancing growth and security in Kenya’s growing tourism industry.
Also Read: Moses Kuria Reveals Govt’s Strategy to Curb Airbnb Deaths
Mutua on Empowering Women in the Tourism Sector
At the same time, Mutua stated that it was important to empower women in the tourism sector explaining that women have played a pivotal role in driving the industry forward.
“He pledged to address incidences of sexual harassment promptly stating that such issues must be nipped in the bud.
The cabinet secretary’s confidence in the Kenya Kwanza Government’s plans for economic transformation is unwavering and he is calling for patience from the public,” a statement from the ministry indicated.
What’s more, the annual conference served as a platform for stakeholders to engage in crucial conversations about the way forward, fostering collaboration and ensuring the sustainable development of the sector.
Also Read: Airbnb Issues Statement on Recent Murders in Kenyan Rooms
Airbnb Murders in Kenya
As a solution to rising cases of murders in Airbnbs in Kenya, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria on January 18 announced that the government will begin a crackdown on landlords offering accommodation services outside Airbnb or licensed platforms.
“The government is very concerned about growing cases of crime and murders, mostly targeted at women in short-term rental spaces. The government will crack down on people offering such services outside Airbnb or other authorized and licensed platforms,” Kuria stated.
The move came following a statement by the American-based online accommodation platform denying any links with the gruesome murders of Starlet Wahu and Rita Waeni, whose bodies were found in Airbnbs.
According to the company, both apartments, located in Nairobi’s South B and Roysambu estates where the women were murdered were not registered with them.
“We can confirm that neither of these events were connected to stays on Airbnb. The properties where these crimes took place did not have reservations booked on Airbnb for the dates reported and we do not have accounts registered to the names of the accused.
“We enforce strict policies governing who can have an account and where concerns come to our attention, we investigate and may remove the user from the platform,” said Airbnb.
