Dr. Alfred Mutua, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, has slammed Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) staff at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) for allegedly harassing tourists.
Mutua revealed on Tuesday that KRA officers treat tourists badly upon their arrival in the country, which prevents them from returning.
“Amebeba camera mbili, amebeba viatu, anataka kukuja shopping akifika pale anaambiwa na KRA afungue mfuko yake.” Underwear is inawekwa kando yake inashikwa na kalamu inawekwa kando. Mutua stated, “Wanatafuta sijui camera mbili, sijui kiatu, sijui hii perfume umeletea nani hapa.”
He went on to say, “We harass our visitors when they come to this country at the airport and we wonder why they don’t come back.”
The Tourism CS then questioned why the harassment does not occur in other African countries, despite the fact that they collect the same taxes as KRA.
“Why don’t Kwani Rwanda and South Africa collect taxes?” When you go to Dubai, you are not harassed. Why are they bothering our visitors?” CS Mutua posed for the camera.
“Mama chupi yake inatolewa inawekwa hapo kando hadharani na watu wa KRA hadharani na watu wa KRA hadharani.” They will not return to Kenya.”
The CS stated that it is past time for Kenya to make tourists feel welcome by discontinuing certain practices, and that he will endeavor to prevent that mess from recurring so that Kenya’s tourism can return to the top.
