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{
    "id": 1475070,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1475070/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 110,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Hon. Miano",
    "speaker_title": "The Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "Mr. Speaker, Sir, that is the response to part (a) of the Question. I will then proceed with part (b). (b) The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has deployed 41 officers spread across various cadres, 30 in the tourism fund and the TRA in Kisumu. This covers the western region offices where Bungoma County belongs. In addition, we have undertaken the following steps to address the shortfalls in the tourism development initiatives: (1) Supporting product mapping. (2) Adoption of multi-sectoral approach in tourism development and management at the county level. (3) Maintaining a unified county events calendar. (4) Supporting counties in digital marketing. (5) Destination development and management through tourism signage across the counties. (6) Data collection in support of planning and strategy development. (7) Developing county tourism brands. (8) Capacity building and training for county tourism staff. (9) Rating of tourism facilities and experiences. Mr. Speaker, Sir, the response to part (c) is the Government budget allocation to the Ministry and its agencies is well utilized in the development, promotion and marketing of tourism in the entire country. Therefore, it may not be possible to isolate the specific amount on the Bungoma County alone because of the arrangement of regions and areas. In addition, the various tourist circuits are interdependent and connected to one another in terms of visitors' travel experiences and visitation. For example, the TRA has allocated the following funding for the regulatory work in Western Region which covers Bungoma County in the specified financial year. In the submission, there are details for the financial years 2022/2023 and 2023/2024. Most of the work was towards quality assurance and sensitization activities. Similarly, for KICC, we have shown in the table the amounts allocated to the Lake Region Bloc, which includes Bungoma County for the two financial years. Other programmes earmarked for funding in the short and medium term in Bungoma County include refurbishment of Koitoboss Guest House at Mount Elgon at a cost of Kshs2.6 million. We also have road rehabilitation and maintenance of Endebess Mt. Elgon Main Gate and Koimoton Road at the cost of Kshs27 million. Finally, the response to part (d) is that the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has deployed several incentives and strategies to attract local and foreign investment in the tourism sector in the counties, including the County of Bungoma in collaboration with the relevant agencies as follows- (1) Duty exemption to hoteliers and restaurants on imported items under the East African Customs Management. We have given all the details of the items that are duty exempt. (2) Duty exemption for tour vans, tourism transportation, tour operators such as sightseeing buses, overload trucks, among others. The electronic version of the Senate Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Director, Hansard and AudioServices, Senate."
}