W@ssup

The urgent need to alleviate the pangs of drought currently ravaging the nation and afflicting our wildlife, generation of employment opportunities for the youth and growth of foreign investment, are on top of the ‘To-Do’ list for newly-sworn-in Tourism, Wildlife and Heritage Cabinet Secretary, Peninah Malonza.

Speaking during her first official engagement where she was the chief guest at Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT) Women of Excellence in Tourism Awards at Hilton Garden Inn, Nairobi Airport, on Saturday evening. Reflecting on her nomination, CS Malonza noted the significant role that women play in any economy and that hers was a deliberate move to enhance the inclusion and spur participation of women in nation-building.

Her inclusion in the cabinet, she said, is part of the commitment to fulfil the government’s pledges that seek to move women away from tokenism representation to meaningful engagement across all sectors.

While describing the event as a breath of fresh air following her dramatic vetting process, the CS Peninah commended the vision bearers of KAWT for creating a networking platform for women in tourism and in the hospitality industry. The CS also saluted the association for rolling out its social responsibility programmes that include mentoring of school-going youth contemplating a future in tourism, clean-up exercises, the championing of better business practices for children in the tourism and hospitality sector, funds-drive walks, and tree planting, among other responsible initiatives.



Malonza urged industry stakeholders to support the efforts of her ministry that will seek to diversify Kenya’s tourism offering to cater for today’s discerning travellers whom she described as keen on experiences pegged on quality. She insisted that for the industry to achieve the targets set, all players would have to deliberately create and curate memorable, heart-warming and mind-blowing yet climate-friendly experiences.

Speaking on building a collaborative culture, the minister illuminated that she would be embarking on spirited engagement with industry stakeholders, to listen to their concerns and recommendations, with a view to growing foreign direct investment and generating employment for the youth.

In closing, using fluent Swahili, CS Malonza noted that she shared the concerns the effects of on-going drought were having wildlife, and revealed that alleviating the pangs of the drought would be her immediate concern.

Launched in 2011, KAWT is a voluntary non-profit association, whose primary mandate is to provide a platform for women’s empowerment through engagement, employment and participation of women in the tourism and hospitality sector. It aims to bring gender aspects of tourism to the attention of policymakers, especially the issues of employment in the tourism industry and women’s participation in tourism planning and management. Every year, the association awards heroines who provide encouragement, and mentorship as well as pave a way for women's participation in the industry during a gala dinner event that is the culmination of their annual general meeting.

This year’s winners feted during the gala event are seasoned destination marketer Nev Jiwani and Eco-Earth warriors Kenya lead, Amb Alice Kamunge.