Poor, aging infrastructure hit Kenya’s tourism sector

NAIROBI: THE era of tourists being misled and importantly, misinformed into believing that Mount Kilimanjaro is in Kenya and that they should visit Kenya to see it is over, particularly as tourists have begun migrating to attractions in other East African tourist destinations.

This is having a big impact on the Kenyan economy, which is already struggling, as widely reported by respected world institutions.

This situation has also continued to impede the Kenyan tourism sector, as the dilapidated road and hotel infrastructure are perceived as unrealistic by tourists upon their arrival in Kenya.

Tourists interviewed this week, while in Nairobi to obtain accurate information about conditions on the ground after their visits to Kenyan attractions, are increasingly dissatisfied with Kenyan attractions due to what some argued were significantly higher park fees, specifically in the Maasai Mara. Others noted ageing hotel infrastructure and overcrowding in popular parks as issues.

Beyond ageing hotel infrastructures, the sector continues to lose appeal due to concerns about poor infrastructures, such as road conditions and specifically perceived insecurity, given previous events during the financial bill dissatisfactions among Gen Z, prompting travelers to seek better value and, in some cases, more exclusive, less congested experiences in other East African tourist destinations.

The primary causes of the ongoing decline in Kenya’s tourism sector and the growing number of tourists considering alternative destinations will be the focus of my analysis, in which I will shed light on issues Kenyans themselves wouldn’t want agents arranging tourist packages to know, especially those with offices outside Kenya, and link this decline to a comprehensive examination of the economic implications for Kenya and Kenyans.

According to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, specifically in its analysis of Kenya’s national tourist strategy issues on November 5, 2025, it has stated that Kenya’s tourism infrastructure scores are relatively low, with the country scoring 3.21 for air transport and 3.23 for ground and port infrastructure on international benchmarks. Tourists cite poor services and facilities as a competitive disadvantage compared with rivals such as Mauritius and South Africa.

Analysis of the same documents openly shows that poor tourist services ratings for Kenya’s tourist services and infrastructure score just 1.25, the lowest among top African destinations, reflecting gaps in signage, amenities, water/waste management, and visitor support, which can reduce visitor satisfaction and length of stay and high park fees reduce its competitiveness on park entry fees and other levies, which account for about 45 per cent of a premium safari tour’s total cost, making Kenya’s charges higher and less competitive compared to neighboring safari destinations.

The World Bank report on finance and private sector development, subtitled “Kenyans’ Tourism Policing the Jewel Analysis,” that assesses hotels and bed capacity, among other things, in the sector further shows that sharp proposed park fee increases, with hikes of up to 249 per cent, have been proposed for national parks, potentially deterring domestic visitors and eroding local tourism participation, with projections indicating tourist numbers will drop from 2.3 million to about 1.7 million.

In fact, Kenya is experiencing uneven development of tourism infrastructure. As long as investment and development remain concentrated in Nairobi, the coast, and a few parks, many regions will remain underdeveloped and poorly connected, thereby limiting the tourism sector’s diversification and resilience.

Overstretched accommodation capacity: Despite growth in tourist arrivals, bed capacity, especially in the 4-5- star segment has historically struggled to keep pace, with peak-season occupancy reaching high levels, thereby pressuring service quality and the guest experience.

Ageing hotel infrastructures in some areas clearly demonstrates that the tourism sector in Kenya is in decline.

A testimony that demonstrates the decline of tourism in Kenya is worth reading. It provides a clear and detailed depiction of the sector’s struggles in Kenya.

The individual in question was raised in Mombasa and resided in Nyali from the 1980s until the late 1990s.

Their most recent visit to the area was in 2002. He recalled Nyali as a place with low-rise, low-density housing, a relaxed atmosphere, and spacious streets.

Nyali Beach was pleasant, and all hotels were of high quality. The beach was frequently visited by international visitors, which generated employment opportunities and contributed to the region’s local economic prosperity.

He stated that he has been absent for 23 years and that circumstances will inevitably evolve; however, the government’s conduct is nothing short of a scandal.

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Nyali Beach is currently unappealing: it is littered with trash and surrounded by unsightly high-rise structures that extend to the beach’s apex, with concrete buttresses. Shacks in a state of disrepair, and a pile of garbage and junk at the top of the shoreline.

Why would the government anticipate that travelers would desire to visit this location? The hotels are in disarray, and some appear to be abandoned.

It is impossible to assign fault to them; it is evident that they are not receiving an adequate volume of business to sustain them. From the shore, the Nyali Shore Hotel appears nearly abandoned.

And then there is the infrastructure itself; the tourist went on to show what others will try to hide.

The roads in the region are strewn with craters; however, that was not the case in the past. In numerous locations, the government appears to have permitted the construction of new structures that extend to the road’s boundary, with high fences adorned with barbed wire.

Next, the roads that encircle the new highway through Bamburi are a serious problem.

I feel pity for hotels such as White Sands, whose entrances overlook the new highway and construction. How is Kenya expected to attract tourists?

And in the midst of all of this, there are the impoverished locals who were previously afforded opportunities for employment and career advancement in the tourism and hospitality industries, which have been extensively damaged. They have destroyed the thriving tourism economy that was once present in Mombasa.

Then, we are required to pay for a complex online visa application process to remain in this confusion.

It is truly heartbreaking to witness the government’s gross mismanagement of this location and, most importantly, the suffering of the impoverished Kenyans who are merely trying to survive as a result of this dereliction Security and travel advisories influence arrivals: Negative perceptions of safety and periodic travel advisories linked to security concerns have historically led to downturns in arrivals, with past episodes showing sharp declines in tourism numbers after security incidents.

Crime concerns around major destinations: Persistent petty crime, armed banditry near reserves, and perceptions of urban safety contribute to adverse tourist perceptions, requiring stronger security management to maintain competitiveness.

Kenya is seriously suffering from what can be called luxury overdevelopment versus sustainability: the rapid expansion of high-end lodges, e.g., the Ritz-Carlton Safari Camp, which charges over $3,500 per night when speaking to agents in Mombasa and this has sparked debate about sustainability, community benefits, and long-term value.

Some may also agree with me that certain luxury developments may not effectively improve the broader tourism product or local infrastructure.

These factors collectively show that Kenya’s capacity to fully leverage its tourism potential is constrained by gaps in physical infrastructure, high regulatory and fee costs, perceptions of security, and unequal standards of accommodation.

There are concerns that Kenya relies too heavily on a narrow safari and wildlife image, thereby missing opportunities for diversification.

Unquestionably, Kenya’s tourism sector continues to be a critical contributor to the economy, with a projected injection of approximately KSh 1.2 trillion (approximately US$8.6 billion) to have hit its fiscal pulse in 2025 and the provision of approximately 1.7 million jobs (over 7% of GDP) and 8% of employment to have been realised.

However, based on analyses and evaluations of various sources, including Kenyans and tourists in Nairobi and Mombasa, the sector’s full potential is significantly constrained by inadequate infrastructure.

The operational costs of key attractions and cities are increased by reliance on generators and boreholes and by reduced competitiveness relative to rival destinations, owing to inadequate roads, unreliable utilities, and aging facilities.

What Kenyans don’t realise is that this discourages higherspending tourists and regional visitors, who might otherwise tour more widely and stay longer.

This is supported by studies and strategic reviews conducted in Kenya. While potential objectives include attracting 5 million tourists by 2027 and leveraging intra-Africa travel under the AfCFTA to reach KSh 1 trillion annually, Kenya is likely losing hundreds of millions of dollars annually in unrealised revenue and foreign exchange due to poor access, limited high-quality hotel capacity, and connectivity gaps.

This loss is being captured by markets with better infrastructure, such as Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Egypt, and South Africa.