Miano rallies female governors to boost domestic tourism

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has called on female governors to support domestic tourism as a means to enhance local engagement and explore the country’s attractions.

 Speaking during the activation of the G7 at Kenyatta Stadium Grounds in Machakos County on Thursday, August 15, Miano urged the governors to motivate Kenyans to discover their own country.

Miano explained that the call is part of her strategy to develop domestic tourism, which she noted is underdeveloped.

"Let us work together in encouraging Kenyans to know and tour our country," she said.

The G7 governors, a group of seven influential female governors in Kenya, were acknowledged for their role in leadership and gender representation.

Miano observed, "You have moved the tectonic plates of leadership in our country and carved a place of honour for womenfolk across Kenya."

The event, hosted by Machakos County Governor Wavinya Ndeti, featured a peer-to-peer learning exercise with five other women governors under the auspices of the G7 caucus.

Governors Susan Kihika (Nakuru), Gladys Wanga (Homa Bay), Cecily Mbarire (Embu) and Fatuma Achani (Kwale) toured several projects, including a groundbreaking ceremony for the Muindi Mbingu Specialist Hospital.

 The leaders urged women across the country to vie for various positions, including governorships, to ensure their inclusion in decision-making processes.

“Ours is to encourage other leaders and encourage ourselves as well because, as you all know, it is not easy to be Governor and certainly not easy to be a woman Governor,” said Council of Governors Chair Anne Waiguru.

The event also included tributes to the late Nobel Laureate Professor Wangari Maathai.

Miano referenced Maathai’s view on women’s power to effect change, stating, "As women, we ought to unleash the innate power imbued in us—to remake our world."

The event was also attended by State Department for Gender and Affirmation Action Principal Secretary Anne Wang’ombe.