Kenyan authorities in Botswana has assured Batswana that travelling to the country is safe following concerns over safety since terror attacks in Nairobi’s popular shopping mall.
The Kenya High Commission in conjunction with Kenya Airways held a joint media briefing to re-assure travelers and tourists that it is business as usual as major international conferences has taken place after the September 21 rampage.
The country’s High Commissioner to Botswana, Jean Kimani told journalists that terrorism is an international problem and that every country must play its part in combating it.
She intimated that the international community was working towards eliminating terrorism which is a global threat and that Kenya government has been working with key partners in exchange of information and ensuring that such threats as posed by terrorists are countered.
“What assures us as Kenya and as fellow Africans is that when we monitor business trends and confidence before and after the attacks how the situation was handled has not shaken confidence in our systems,” Kimani said.
She revealed that in actual fact, three global activities on 24-27 September 2013, the Eco Tourism and Sustainable Tourism Conference and Africa Hotel Investment (over 40 countries were represented); on October 16, 2013, the World Travel Awards were held in Nairobi.
“This is a sign of confidence that it is business as usual in Kenya. Batswana visiting Kenya can rest assured of peace and tranquility. Our security forces are on alert,” she said adding that they have international support and the best intelligence in the world to make sure the country is safe.
Kimani added that Kenya has put in place adequate resources to ensure that the country’s borders are well protected. “Tourism sector was not affected,” she said adding that in fact the sector performed well during the year.
She highlighted they are trying to enhance trade links with Botswana and bemoaned poaching in Africa and especially in Kenya where rhino poaching is a big problem.
Kenya Airways Country Manager, Juliet Zintambila said business has not been affected despite the terror attacks and said “we did not experience any passenger decline” adding that the numbers are picking up.
She said many tourists from Botswana visit Mombasa and said Kenya Airways is mulling introducing daily flights to Kenya in 2014.
The airliner launched two night flights in April due to increased demand from customers. Providing seamless connections for customers travelling to Botswana was a priority so as to reduce long transit times.
“The introduction of the night flights to Gaborone comes as the airline aims to meet the rising demand for travel between the two cities. This also allows Kenya Airways customers take advantage of the Airlines growing route network via its hub at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport,” Zintambila said at the time.
Founded in 1977, Kenya Airways is a member of the SkyTeam Alliance and a leading African airline. The pride of Africa fly’s to 59 destinations worldwide, 47 of which are in Africa carrying over three million passengers annually. Kenya Airways has a modern fleet of 38 aircraft.
