Gov’t moves to regulate hospitality sector after murder incidents

Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Dr. Alfred Mutua has now directed owners of accommodation facilities to ensure they are licensed in adherence with the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) laws.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, CS Mutua raised concerns over the recent cases of deaths at private accommodations, saying the government will move in to regulate them in order to safeguard the public.

While expressing regrets over the failure of some facilities to take responsibility, he underscored that his ministry would ensure any non-compliant owner faces the law.

“I have noted with great concern the recent unfortunate criminal incidents occurring in the short-stay accommodation sector,” he said.

“To uphold the integrity of our tourism industry, the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, through the Tourism Regulatory Authority, will rigorously enforce compliance, taking legal action against any violations of TRA licensing laws.”

CS Mutua said the government would review the TRA laws and carry out a public participation exercise in a bid to strengthen the confidence of tourists in the hospitality sector.

He cautioned the cottage owners against late renewal of licences, noting that they will be subjected to penalties and other consequences as stipulated by law.

The CS consequently reassured the public of the government’s commitment to providing security to the public, as he also appealed for citizens to countercheck licenses of accommodation facilities.

“We urge the public to verify the registration and license status of facilities to ensure compliance with already outlined directives by the government and maintain quality standards,” he noted.

“Several platforms have distanced themselves from these isolated cases. It is our assurance that hospitality services in Kenya are generally safe.”

The statement comes after San Francisco-based company Airbnb distanced itself from separate and brutal murder incidents involving two women reported to have occurred within premises listed on the platform in Nairobi's Roysambu and South B estates.

Airbnb stated that the locations where the murders occurred had no bookings registered on the platform for the reported dates, and that persons of interest in both cases did not have registered accounts.

"Over the past week, Kenya has witnessed two heinous crimes in the city of Nairobi. We are saddened and shocked to learn of these events, and our thoughts are with the victims’ loved ones during this difficult time," read the statement published on Airbnb's website.

"We can confirm that neither of these events were connected to stays on Airbnb. We do not have accounts registered to the names of the accused."