Kenya to Create Jobs in Adventure Tourism as CS Miano Flags off First-Ever Rafting Championship
- Kenya flagged off the first-ever African White-Water Rafting Championship at Sagana River, Murang'a county
- Tourism Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rebecca Miano said adventure tourism is a powerful economic enabler in a country
- Miano said that through rafting, the country will create jobs for Kenyans and attract foreign direct investment
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Wycliffe Musalia has over six years of experience in financial, business, technology, climate, and health reporting, providing deep insights into Kenyan and global economic trends. He currently works as a business editor at TUKO.co.ke.
More than 11 African countries have converged in Kenya for the inaugural African White-Water Rafting Championship.
Source: UGC
Launched at the Sagana River, Murang'a county, the first-ever rafting championship attracted participants from Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Burundi, Morocco, Sudan, and the DRC.
Why rafting championship in Kenya?
Speaking during the official launch event on Friday, July 18, Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary (CS) Rebecca Miano said the government is committed to expanding adventure and sports tourism in the country.
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Miano said that the championship positions Kenya as a continental leader in this fast-growing niche.
“This is not just a sporting event, but a championship that marks a new chapter for rafting and adventure tourism in Kenya and across Africa,” said Miano in a statement seen by TUKO.co.ke.
Miano explained the championship aligns with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which seeks to diversify tourism and boost youth employment.
Source: Twitter
How rafting championship supports economy
The CS emphasised the shift from traditional tourism offerings to emerging sectors that can drive both local and international interest.
“Rafting is more than a sport; it’s a powerful economic tool,” she told the audience. “It has the potential to create jobs, attract investment, and put Kenya on the global adventure tourism map,” she said.
Acknowledging the shortage of trained rafting guides in the country, Miano announced that the government is working to expand training programs and strengthen partnerships with the private sector to grow the sport sustainably.
“This event shows what Africa can achieve when we come together. It is a celebration of talent, teamwork, and opportunity," the CS added.
Ruto's govt plans for job creation
Ruto announced his administration's plan to create jobs for youths in the country through various programmes.
Recently, the head of state launched the Affordable Housing Internship Programme to employ Kenyan youths across all housing construction projects.
The president told stakeholders in the construction industry that the government will work hand in hand with them to realise the programmes' mandates.
He noted that the internship will absorb 4,000 graduates from various universities and TVET institutions, who specialise in architecture, surveying, engineering, and construction management, among other courses.
The government launched the Affordable Housing Programme to solve the over 2 million housing deficit in the country.
According to Ruto's administration, the housing programme, which targets to build 200,000 units per year, is estimated to employ more than 250,000 Kenyans.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
