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Samburu Governor Mr. Lati Lelelit has said his administration is keen on promoting cultural and sports tourism to ensure a steady revenue stream for the county coffers and national exchequer.
Speaking after flagging off the 10-kilometre armature camel race at the Yare Safari club and camping site during this year’s Maralal International Camel Derby, Lelelit noted that cultural tourism is the second tourist attraction after wildlife noting that Samburu county is a top travel destination since the Maa culture is well preserved.
“We as the Maa nation in Samburu, Kajiado and Narok are proud of conserving our culture and it has literally become the national cultural pride for Kenya and because of this we are keen on promoting cultural tourism,” Lelelit said.
Lelelit noted that the Maralal International Camel Derby had taken a three-year break due to the Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, adding that this year’s event has attracted international tourists from Germany, Austria, United Kingdom and Asian countries who are taking part in different sporting activities including camel racing.
“The four-day event is a success and it’s a build-up to next year’s Maa cultural week which will be held here in Samburu County,” the Governor noted.
Further, the Governor added that all communities living within Samburu County are showcasing their culture and traditional ways of life including dances, food and traditional wedding ceremonies.
“The cultural interactions are a way of enhancing our peace and cohesion efforts amongst communities that usually clash for resources,” he said.
Narok Governor Mr. Patrick Ole Ntutu said that each county has its own unique culture adding that the Council of Governors is developing unique cultural tourism policy in all the 47 counties.
“All 47 counties in Kenya have unique cultural attractions which will be showcased and eventually adopted to market Kenya as a whole,” Ntutu said.
Culture and Heritage Principal Secretary Mr. John Ololtuaa noted that the cultural and sports tourism event in Samburu County has boosted the local economy and encouraged other counties to preserve their culture.
“As we continue to embrace modernization let’s also conserve our cultural ways because they are our unique identifiers in the global arena,” Ololtuaa said.
The 31st Maralal International Derby under the theme ‘Promotion of Sports Tourism, Conservation and enhanced Peaceful Cultural Interaction’ was graced by Kajiado Governor Mr. Joseph Ole Lenku, Samburu Senator Mr. Steve Lelegwe, Samburu Woman Representative Ms. Pauline Lenguris, nominated EALA MP Mr. Julius Ole Sankok and Nominated Senator Ms. Peris Tobiko.