Political crisis takes toll on Kenya’s tourism

MOMBASA, Kenya – It’s supposed to be peak tourist season on Kenya’s warm Indian Ocean coast, but the violence and uncertainty following last month’s disputed election have kept away tens of thousands of visitors.

Now officials warn of a major slowdown that could have broad implications for the East African country, whose growing tourism industry is a pillar of the economy and source of 500,000 jobs.

“If tourism as a sector collapses, it will trigger a collapse of the entire economy,” said Ongonga Achieng, head of the Kenya Tourist Board.

Since President Mwai Kibaki claimed a disputed election victory, more than 600 people have been killed in politically motivated clashes, and a quarter-million people have been driven from their homes.

Kenya’s opposition party, determined to bring down Kibaki’s government, called Saturday for another day of “peaceful rallies” despite the deaths of more than 20 people in this week’s demonstrations.

Police took forceful action at rallies Wednesday through Friday protesting the Dec. 27 election, but opposition party chairman Henry Kosgey told reporters “we will use each and every means to bring down Kibaki’s government.”

Kosgey called for more rallies on Thursday, in defiance of a government ban and to the disapproval of the European Union.

Television images of rioting and protests have prompted many Americans and Europeans to cancel vacations in Kenya, which is known for its spectacular safaris and perpetually warm beaches. Throughout the coastal region, hotels and resorts that usually operate at 85 percent capacity at this time of year are 20 percent full.

Although no tourists have been hurt in the fighting and the unrest has largely spared the coastal areas and other vacation hot spots, the U.S. Embassy issued a travel alert last week that said, “The situation in Kenya is volatile and subject to change on short notice.”

The embassy has had a travel warning for Kenya for more than four years, due largely to a 2002 attack by al-Qaida suspects on a hotel outside of Mombasa that’s popular with Israeli tourists. Despite the warnings, however, 100,000 Americans visited Kenya last year, a record.

Tourism contributes $900 million to to economy and a tenth of the country’s jobs, but the industry figures to take a sharp hit this year. Officials had expected 315,000 visitors in the first three months but have reduced their estimate to 134,450. Expected earnings have been slashed from $300 million for the quarter to slightly more than $100 million.