Kenya’s government has invested $3 billion to address security concerns that had been raised by overseas markets.

Kenya’s tourism industry was brought to its knees in 2014 after terrorist attacks carried out by Somali terrorist group, Al Shabaab. Following the attacks, the UK, US, France and Australia issued travel advisories against Kenya in 2014, dealing a major blow to tourism, the worst hit being the Kenya coast.

However, between last year and this year, these countries revised their travel advice for Mombasa and other coastal resort towns following improved security in the region.

Kenya’s Tourism Minister Najib Balala has assured overseas markets and tourists that the country is safe for holidays as it enters its high season. Balala said Kenya had invested $3 billion on security to tackle the problem, which had adversely affected tourism. He noted that the investment had helped enhance the country’s defence of its borders and internal security.

“I am happy that for the better part of last year to this year, Kenya has been enjoying calm due to the good work by our defence forces and police,” Balala said. “I take this opportunity, to assure both traditional and emerging markets that Kenya is very secure. Tourists should come to the country to have fun.”

Balala thanked the UK, US and French governments for having lifted the travel advisories, which gave a boost to Kenya’s efforts to revive the ailing sector.

British High Commissioner to Kenya, Nic Hailey, said the UK had revised travel advice for Kenya following improved security in the country. “Since Kenya is now safe, we are supporting its efforts to revive the industry by encouraging British tourists to come to the country for holidays,” Hailey said.

French Ambassador, Remi Marechaux, also said he was impressed by the Kenyan government’s determination to address security problems in the country. Marechaux noted that his country had revised travel advice against Lamu archipelago after Kenya addressed the Al Shabaab threat.

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