Clinton to grace Kenya tourism show

By Isaac Ongiri

Former US President Bill Clinton will participate in a planned Kenyan tourism promotion.

Tourism Minister Najib Balala, who is in the US, is expected to lead tourism promotional road shows across various cities.

Assistant Minister for Tourism, Cecily Mbarire confirmed that Clinton is expected to be among guests at efforts to market the country in the US ahead of the Presidential inauguration next week.

The minister said the road shows would be conducted in four American cities including Los Angeles, Atlanta and Washington DC.

Clinton is expected to attend a dinner organised by the marketers in Washington on the eve of the State installation of US President-elect Barack Obama.

Mbarire said the marketers would also distribute Kenyan flaglets.

“Kenya’s presence will be felt in the US this week, our ministry has dispatched a team led by minister Balala, to market Kenya,” Mbarire said.

She said the country would put in more emphasis to tap the American market to increase revenue collection in the tourism sector.

Mbarire said the election of Obama was a blessing to the Kenyan tourism, adding that there was already an increased urge in visitors considering Kenya as their first African destination.

Most talked about

“Kenya is now the most talked about African nation in the US,” Mbarire said.

Six ministers and MPs led by Foreign Affairs Minister Moses Wetangula, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o and Helen Sambili and Deputy Speaker Farah Maalim will later join the Balala team in Washington.

Obama, the man elected the 44th American President was born to a Kenyan father, the late Barack Hussein Obama. His grandmother, Mama Sarah Obama is set to grace his swearing in ceremony scheduled for January 20.

Five million people are expected to attend the inauguration according to officials. This will be a historical event since America will get their first African-American president. Obama’s kin in Kenya have organised a festival to mark the inauguration.

Courtesy of:www.eastandard.net