At the famous Kit Mikayi, signs of bad things start with the earth road heading there: it is in poor state and impassable during the rains.
At Dunga Beach, which is popular with tourists, there are no proper facilities. The access road is in bad state.
At Ndere Island, there is no proper docking point for tourist boats.
Tourism attraction sites in Kisumu County are crying for attention even as the devolved unit plans a tourism conference this month to woo visitors.
The two-day tourism event, which is scheduled for February 14 and 15, is being organised by the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) in partnership with the county government. It aims at forging joint efforts in developing and marketing products in the area.
At the famous Kit Mikayi, signs of bad things start with the earth road heading there: it is in poor state and impassable during the rains.
Kit Mikayi Co-operative Society chairman Alex Otieno told the Sunday Nation they have drafted a Sh5 million proposal to the county government to finance a facelift.
Despite Kit Mikayi being in existence for decades, the site lacks a proper water system. A black 100-litre tank fitted with a tap at the entrance of the administration is the closest water point available.
“We have a fence around the tourist site. But it is easy for somebody to sneak in and out. We need a perimeter wall around Kit Mikayi,” said Mr Otieno.
“We expect the traffic of tourists to increase with the construction of good roads and establishment of modern facilities. Of course, this will translate into more revenue,” said Mr Otieno.
Director for Tourism, Culture, Arts and Sports Thomas Ouko said there were plans to construct roads and paths leading to local tourism sites.
“We plan to expand the route towards Kit Mikayi directly from the murram road. We also plan to construct a road to Ndere Island,” said Mr Ouko.
Western Kenya Hoteliers’ Association chairperson Robinson Anyal said the county government needs a docking site at Ndere and improved beaches along the lake. Swampy ground.
“At Ndere Island, there is no proper docking point for tourist boats. Getting off Ndere Island is a challenge, you will step on muddy and swampy ground before you get into the boat,” said Mr Anyal.
He added: “Most tourist attraction sites should be improved or developed before they can fully attract proper business. The county government can partner with private developers to improve our beaches.”
Mr Anyal said most roads leading to tourist attraction sites were in bad shape.
“At Dunga Beach, which is popular with tourists, there are no proper facilities. The access road is in bad state,” he said.
The forum is expected to be attended by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala. It will bring together tourism stakeholders in the Lake Region Economic Bloc, including tourism parastatals, hoteliers, tour operators and other private players.
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