VERA BWIRE: Ensure safety of tourists at the Coast now marred by violence

We are in deep trouble as a country, specifically our tourism sector.

Honestly, who will visit Mombasa, and by extension our coastal region, after 50 youths armed with pangas robbed cruise passengers Mombasa this past week.

This raised serious concerns and shore excursions were cancelled. This is not the kind of story we should try to camouflage.

Is this incident politically inspired or motivated? Are the youth at the Coast rebelling over the difficulties they are facing? Whatever the case, it’s time to feel very sad about our beloved Coast and call out this incident.

Robbery incidents are not new in the region, or any busy tourism towns. Despite this, the region, just like our iconic wildlife safaris, still draws tourists from across the world to see our beautiful beaches, and explore the water, through boat trips, water sports, and even deep see diving.

Tourists are also spoilt for choice of cuisine that ‘Coasterians’ have to offer. Surely, what’s not to love about that feeling of being in a beach town, waking up to the sun rising over the sea and savouring beautiful sunsets in some spots? That said, the economy of the Coast region is largely driven by tourism.

Mostly by the hotel industry, which then trickles down to taxis, tuk-tuks, buses, dhows, yachts, train businesses, foreign exchange businesses, eateries, smaller accommodation spots, handicraft souvenir kiosks and shops, businesses, clubs and many other miscellaneous enterprises.

All that stated above is, however, not so important, if we cannot guarantee the security of residents, local tourists and international tourists.

As a frequent visitor to the Coast, now that part of my extended family is there, of utmost importance is that I can get to the Coast efficiently, via the SGR or by air.

Upon arrival in Mombasa, I book a taxi or take a matatu to my final destination, hoping I will not be overcharged, conned, threatened by unsafe driving or worse, fall into the hands of a thuggish taxi driver.

Once I get to my apartment or hotel, the security of the area booked is of paramount importance, as is how safe I am in my apartment or hotel.

Should I decide to go out to buy street food, or for some, to go to a nightclub, the thought of a secure taxi ride and chauffeur comes to mind. If I decide to walk, the security of the streets also comes to mind.

Meaning, I hope I will have a blissful time without being mugged, or mcheled, meaning drugged by a spiked drink. Should I then decide to visit restaurants serving coastal or international cuisines or tourism sites, the major thought would be fair costing.

I always think foreigners and locals should pay a more or less similar entry fee. Let the cost be transferred to other things, such as the cost of a visa. It feels unusual sometimes, walking with a foreigner, and coughing up different sums to see the same thing.

I believe lowering their entry fees is one measure that would make tourists feel welcome to many sites. Sometimes, the different entry costs also encourage greed, thus, the probability of tourists being conned on entry fees to some sites.

This entire narrative basically boils down to safety; how secure an individual or a group of tourists will feel if they visit our now not-so-wonderful coastal towns.

I have never had any issues where my own safety was compromised, and I’m sure many other people feel the same. But the new trend of insecurity is worrying.

The government has played its part having established a number of agencies to oversee the tourism sector, but is this enough? This is one of those sectors that we shouldn’t play around with.

I visited Zanzibar towards the end of last year, and I was surprised by the super huge influx of tourists, to the small but well-crafted and protected island.

All I think about now is when I will go back. As a woman, I felt safe, welcomed and lived the dream beach life for the short period I was there.

One major and positive thing I noticed was the kind of Ubuntuism (togetherness) the locals share. They all feel a sense of ownership of their magical island.

Maybe that’s what our Kenyans living at the Coast, especially the youth, should have: a strong sense of Ubuntuism! As we deliberate on what to do, apologise, stay optimistic and, wait for the insecurity story to fade away, hopefully as fast as possible, the robbed tourists and the rest of their group are safely docked in vibrant Zanzibar, our forever arch-enemy tourism competitor, having a real feel of what safety feels like in a beach town.

The 1,169 passengers and crew, who had arrived aboard the MV Crystal Symphony from Mahe, Seychelles, only to be robbed, left on Tuesday for Zanzibar. Over to you, Waziri and other key tourism stakeholders.

The writer is a democracy support researcher and scholar