The Tourist Police Unit (TPU) has announced plans to establish a new base in Kisumu city to serve the Western tourism circuit. TPU Commandant Paul Soi emphasized that this base is essential for addressing the security challenges in a region experiencing significant growth in tourism.
Despite facing a shortage of officers, Soi noted that the Kisumu base is crucial for tackling issues such as burglary, theft, and conmanship, particularly instances where tourists are deceived by unregistered tour operators.
“We have seen an increase in cases where tourists lose valuables and money in hotels. In Maasai Mara, we’ve recorded incidents of tents being cut and money stolen from tourists,” he stated.
To combat these concerns, the TPU has intensified community policing efforts to improve information sharing between the community and various stakeholders, facilitating more effective responses to security issues.
In collaboration with the Kenya Defense Forces (KDF) and tour operators, the TPU has enhanced surveillance across tourist attraction sites to monitor visitor movements and bolster safety measures.
During a Tourism Safety workshop in Kisumu, Soi urged hotel managers to maintain up-to-date records of all tourists staying at their facilities, which should include the visitors' origins and medical information to ensure proper care during their stay.
“This is a very serious matter. If hotels had collected information on affected tourists, they could have implemented appropriate support mechanisms,” he said.
He also called on tour operators to uphold professionalism to ensure visitors receive proper treatment.
Soi highlighted that accidents involving tour vehicles are on the rise, with seven fatalities reported this year.
The new Kisumu office will oversee the larger Western tourism circuit, which spans over 14 counties, enhancing security and safety for tourists in the region.