Embu opens up a Tourists' Gateway to the top of Mt. Kenya

Embu CECM for Trade, Tourism, Investment and Industrialization Dr. Jamleck Muturi (standing)  accompanied by Directors in the docket, speaks to young porters recruited for the newly opened up Mt. Kenya East circuit at Camp Ndunda, a tourist attraction site in Embu. 

Embu County Government, KFS trains Guides, Porters to promote Mt Kenya East Tourism Circuit

Embu 17^th February 2020

The County Government of Embu has partnered with the Kenya Forest Service to train tour guides and porters as a way of enhancing tourism in the Mt Kenya East Circuit. 

The twenty youth trained by the county's department of Trade, Tourism, Investment and Industrialization will be acting as guides for domestic and foreign tourists to Mt. Kenya via Embu County. 

The initiative comes after the Embu County government set aside funds to open up a route to the mountain through Embu, Mt. Kenya South Eastern Irangi route. 

The youth will be hired by the county government and other tour companies to market Embu tourist attraction sites and other scenic points along the Mt. Kenya circuit. 

County Executive Committee Member for Trade, Tourism, Investment and Industrialization Dr. Jamleck Muturi called on the youth to be in the forefront of marketing the tourist attraction sites available in the region. 

Mt. Kenya peaks as seen from the Embu gateway 

"The main peaks, Lenana and Batian are more visible from this new route and so you will be engaged positively,” Muturi told the youth. 

The CEC said that the youth will also sensitize local communities on how to showcase cultural and Agricultural tourism. 

 "The youth will be mostly based at the entrance of Irangi forest where they will be picking up tourists to help them find their way up the mountain as guides and porters," said the county minister. 

Further, he said that the world was focusing on community-based tourism because of its high sustainability. 

Muturi urged area residents to take advantage and entrench tourism as a source of livelihood.

“Tourists visiting the area will in addition to mountain climbing be able to engage in sport fishing, nature walks and bird watching as well as visiting Mau Mau caves,” he said.

Mt. Kenya deputy park warden, George Ombuki encouraged the youth to take the knowledge earned as a business opportunity to grow themselves.

Ombuki, who is also the mountain search officer at the Mt. Kenya National Park said the youth will also be trained on wilderness first aid skills. 

"This is because they will be the first line of defense with tourist and hence these skills are important for the safety of guests," said Ombuki.