REPUBLIC OF KENYA
NYANDARUA COUNTY ASSEMBLY
________________________________________________________________________________________
1ST ASSEMBLY – SECOND SESSION – 2014
Lake Ol’ Bolossat
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON INDUSTRIALIZATION,
TRADE, CO-OPERATIVES, TOURISM & WILDLIFE
ON
THE STATUS OF TOURISM IN THE COUNTY
The Clerk’s Office
Nyandarua County Assembly
P.O. Box 720 – 20303
Ol Kalou
OCTOBER, 2014
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
Table of Contents
ACRONYMS & ABBREVIATIONS .............................................................................................................. 4
PREFACE.................................................................................................................................................. 5
Composition of the Committee .......................................................................................................... 6
Points of reference for the Committee .............................................................................................. 6
Benchmarking Itinerary ...................................................................................................................... 7
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ............................................................................................................................ 8
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................ 9
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................... 10
OVERVIEW ........................................................................................................................................ 10
The objectives of the workshop ................................................................................................... 11
Workshop Expectations................................................................................................................ 11
Objectives of the Benchmarking Tour to Nyeri, Laikipia and Meru Counties .............................. 18
CURRENT LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK GOVERNING TOURISM AND WILDLIFE ........ 20
The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013 .............................................................. 20
CHAPTER TWO: FINDINGS & OBSERVATIONS FROM THE WORKSHOP AND BENCHMARKING TOUR . 21
FINDINGS FROM THE WORKSHOP.................................................................................................... 21
THE BENCHMARKING TOUR ............................................................................................................. 23
The Karuru Falls ............................................................................................................................ 23
Gura Giant Falls ............................................................................................................................ 24
Aberdare Fishing Lodge ................................................................................................................ 25
Aberdare National Park HQ - Mweiga .......................................................................................... 27
The David Turunga Homestay Establishment .............................................................................. 28
The Mount Kenya Guides and Porters Safari Club ....................................................................... 30
The Mount Kenya National Park- Narumoru Gate ....................................................................... 32
Mount Kenya Orphanage ............................................................................................................. 34
The Old House Cottages ............................................................................................................... 35
South Imenti- Meru Region Infrastructure................................................................................... 36
CHAPTER THREE: OBSERVATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE ...................................................................... 38
CHAPTER FOUR: RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................................ 40
Recommendations from the Benchmarking Tour ............................................................................ 40
Recommendations from the Workshop ........................................................................................... 42
2|Report o n the status of Tourism i n Nyandarua County, 2014
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
Signages ........................................................................................................................................ 44
CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION ............................................................................................................... 45
CHAPTER SIX: BIBLIOGRAPHY ............................................................................................................... 46
APPENDIX 1: CONTACTS ....................................................................................................................... 47
3|Report o n the status of Tourism i n Nyandarua County, 2014
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
ACRONYMS & ABBREVIATIONS
CEC
-
County Executive Committee
KICC
-
Kenyatta International Conference Center
KWS
-
Kenya Wildlife Service
ANP
-
Aberdare National Park
PA
-
Protected Area
KFS
-
Kenya Forest Service
Mt.
-
Mount
MKGPSC
-
Mount Kenya Guides and Porters Safari Club
KTB
-
Kenya Tourism Board
4|Report o n the status of Tourism i n Nyandarua County, 2014
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
PREFACE
Mr. Speaker Sir, On Thursday, 17th July, 2014 - Sunday, 20th July, 2014 the committee on
Industrialization, Trade, Co-operatives, Tourism & Wildlife set out to attend a workshop at
the Kenyatta University Conference Centre to discuss and interrogate “THE ECO-TOURISM
STRATEGY PAPER: NYANDARUA COUNTY” .
Further, the Committee set out on a benchmarking trip following a resolution by the
Committee members after the workshop that it was indeed important to yardstick tourism in
the county against that in the neighboring counties. In line with this resolution, the committee
embarked on the benchmarking tour to Mt. Kenya region covering Nyeri, Meru and Laikipia
Counties. This was carried out from 3rd - 6th September, 2014.
Further, the committee was represented by the Chairperson, Hon. Daniel Kibebo and Vice
Chairperson, Hon. Tiziana Mwangi in the Tourism and Travel expo organized by the Kenya
Tourism Board in KICC Nairobi, an event that attracts participation from both local and
international trade partners as well as the Kenyan public.
This therefore is an inclusive and comprehensive report on the various activities undertaken
by the Committee in a bid to realize the Tourism agenda in the county.
Pursuant to standing order 186 (5), the committee resolved to act as follows:i.
investigate, inquire into, and report on all matters relating to the mandate,
management, activities, administration, operations and estimates of the assigned
departments;
ii.
study, assess and analyse the relative success of the departments as measured by the
results obtained as compared with its stated objectives;
iii.
investigate and inquire into all matters relating to the assigned departments as they
may deem necessary, and as may be referred to them by the Assembly;
iv.
Based on the abovementioned, make informed decisions, recommendations, write and
submit a committee report on the Bill incorporating the views of the public
5|Report o n the status of Tourism i n Nyandarua County, 2014
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
Composition of the Committee
Mr. Speaker Sir, the committee on Industrialization, Trade, Co-operatives, Tourism &
Wildlife comprises of the following Honorable Members of the County Assembly:
1. Hon. Daniel Kibebo
-
Chairperson
2. Hon. Tiziana Mwangi
-
V/Chairperson
3. Hon. Peter Githinji
-
Member
4. Hon. John Githinji
-
”
5. Hon. David Ndirangu
-
”
6. Hon. Jane Mwathe
-
”
7. Hon. Paul Kiruka
-
”
8. Hon. Peter Maina
-
”
9. Hon. Joyce Ng’ang’a
-
“
Staff of the County Assembly
1. Aurelia Wanjiru
-
Committee Clerk
Points of reference for the Committee
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Committee interacted with various parties during the entire process
including:
1. The then CEC Member for Industrialization, Trade, Co-operatives, Tourism &
Wildlife, Madam Judy Mwangi
2. County Tourism Officers Mr. Shadrack Kanyugo, Mr. Robinson Njuki
3. Kenya Wildlife Service Officers, Mt. Kenya Senior Warden Mr. Simon Gitau, Mr.
James Mathenge
4. Homestay Owners, Mr. David Turunga
5. Tourism related clubs example Mt. Kenya Guides and Porters Safari Club
6. Residents of Nyandarua County
7. Stakeholders in the Industry such as the Tour operators
8. And others
6|Report o n the status of Tourism i n Nyandarua County, 2014
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
Benchmarking Itinerary
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Committee was guided by the following itinerary during the
benchmarking tour.
DATE
TIME
ACTIVITY
SUB-ACTIVITY
3rd September
8.00a.m
Leave Ol ‘Kalou town for Nyeri Town via the Exploring
the
Aberdares National Park
and
Aberdares
identifying the tourism
potential it has to offer
4.00 p.m
Arrival at Mweiga, Park Headquarters
7.00 p.m
Arrival
at
Narumoru,
David
Brief by the officials
Turunga’s Welcome
by
the
Turunga’s and KWS
Homestay
Officers
Dinner
4th September
8.00
Leave David Turunga’s Homestay
a.m.
10.00
Visit to Mt. Kenya Guides and Porters Safari Brief
a.m.
Club
2.00 p.m
Visit
by
the
Club
the
Park
officials
to
Mt.
Kenya
National
Headquarters
Park Brief
by
Wardens including the
Senior
Warden,
Mr.
Simon Gitau
4.00 p.m. Visit to the Mt. Kenya Orphanage
5th September
8.00 a.m.
Brief by the officials
Leave David Turunga’s Homestay
2.00 p.m. Visit to Meru Town and its environs
7|Report o n the status of Tourism i n Nyandarua County, 2014
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Mr. Speaker Sir, I wish to thank the Offices of the Speaker and the Clerk of the Assembly
for the support accorded to the Committee in ensuring that it delivers its mandate.
Further, the Committee wishes to recognize the invaluable input of various stakeholders in
the Industry.
Mr. Speaker Sir, allow me also to salute the Members of the Committee and Staff of the
Assembly for the commitment exhibited during the various events and activities carried out
by the Committee which included participating in the workshop ,the benchmarking tour and
the compiling of this report which was done from 16th – 19th October, 2014.
Finally, Mr. Speaker Sir, On behalf of the Members of the Committee and pursuant to the
provisions of Standing Order No. 186(5) (g), it is my pleasure and duty to present to the
House, the Committee’s Report on the status of Tourism in the County, for adoption.
SIGNED:
……………………………………………………..
HON. DANIEL RUARA KIBEBO, MCA
CHAIRPERSON, INDUSTRIALIZATION, TRADE, CO-OPERATIVES, TOURISM
& WILDLIFE COMMITTEE
DATE:………………………………………………………
8|Report o n the status of Tourism i n Nyandarua County, 2014
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Nyandarua County Tourism development initiative is the mandate of
the County Tourism Department. The respective Committee on Industrialization, Trade, Cooperatives, Tourism & Wildlife is mandated to investigate the tourism agenda in the county
and make proposals to the CEC Member for Tourism regarding the implementation of timely
and sound tourism projects.
Mr. Speaker Sir, in line with this, the Committee on Industrialization, Trade, Co-operatives,
Tourism and Wildlife engaged with the Department of Tourism to understand the tourism
agenda in the county by attending a two day workshop at Kenyatta University Conference
Center on 18th-19th July 2014.
The benchmarking trip conducted on 3rd- 6th September was aimed at helping the members
compare the tourism sector situation in Nyandarua County with neighboring counties, with a
specific goal of documenting the nature of ongoing tourist activities, the history of their
establishment, their current state and way forward in development.
Strategically, the target areas were the Aberdare Ranges, Mount Kenya region diversity, and
the South Imenti region. The choice destinations feature a unique blend of conventional and
eco tourism, as well as large scale and small scale attractions. This unique blend of activities
is important, as Nyandarua County is mainly an eco- tourism destination, and a county in
which small-scale, home based tourism is the intended pivot in tourism development.
The Committee actively participated in the workshop as they gathered insight on the tourism
potential of the county. Further, the members endeavored into the benchmarking tour, a
learning experience that enabled them to learn from other counties.
The Committee then made their sound recommendations which are incorporated in this
report and which honorable members, you will agree if implemented will see the face of
Tourism in Nyandarua county transform and elevate to greater heights.
9|Report o n the status of Tourism i n Nyandarua County, 2014
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION
OVERVIEW
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Nyandarua County Tourism development initiative is the mandate of
the County Tourism Department. The respective Committee on Industrialization, Trade, Cooperatives, Tourism & Wildlife is mandated to investigate the tourism agenda in the county
and make proposals to the CEC Member for Tourism regarding the implementation of timely
and sound tourism projects.
The benchmarking trip conducted on 3rd- 6th September was aimed at helping the members
compare the tourism sector situation in Nyandarua County with neighboring counties, with a
specific goal of documenting the nature of ongoing tourist activities, the history of their
establishment, their current state and way forward in development. Strategically, the target
areas were the Aberdare Ranges, Mount Kenya region diversity, and the South Imenti region.
The choice destinations feature a unique blend of conventional and eco tourism, as well as
large scale and small scale attractions. This unique blend of activities is important, as
Nyandarua County is mainly an eco- tourism destination, and a county in which small-scale,
home based tourism is the intended pivot in tourism development.
Mr. Speaker Sir, there are several definitions of tourism. However, Tourism can simply be
defined as “visiting a place and staying there for more than twenty four hours”. Tourism is
not all about wildlife. History, culture, trade, man-made features are other components of
Tourism. A good example being China which had 57.7 million international tourists in the
year 2012 yet the country cannot boast of its wildlife. Instead, its major source of revenue in
tourism comes from trade where millions of people visit China to import goods manufactured
in the country for sale in other countries.
Despite the large tourism development potential and which is basically untapped, Nyandarua
County has lagged behind due to lack of a tourism development strategy since Kenya’s
independence.
In Kenya, Tourism is the 2nd largest source of foreign exchange revenue following
agriculture and Nyandarua county has a lot to benefit from local tourism as it boosts of
10 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
several tourist attraction sites as well as agri - tourism where vegetables, potato and dairy
farming are the leading farming activities in the region.
Mr. Speaker Sir, in line with this, the Committee on Industrialization, Trade, Co-operatives,
Tourism and Wildlife engaged with the Department of Tourism to understand the tourism
agenda in the county.
A view of the Aberdares
The objectives of the workshop
 Familiarize the county Assembly members with the current status of tourism and
potential attractions within the County
 Present the proposed County tourism and ecotourism strategy and seek inputs
 To identify the key Tourism flagship for the county
Workshop Expectations
 Participants to actively participate and contribute to the whole process.
 Participants to positively critic and own the documents and product
 Participants to be the champions of the identified key targets from the workshop.
11 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
Mr. Speaker Sir, the Ecotourism Strategy Paper for Nyandarua County was developed
through a series of stakeholder workshops that brought together tourism sector players with
an interest in the Aberdare Ecosystem and is a blueprint for developing ecotourism on the
Western side of the Aberdare Ecosystem.
Nyandarua County covers an area of 3245.2 Km2 of which 250 Km2 is part of the Aberdare
Protected Area. Nyandarua County cuts across the western side of the Aberdare Ecosystem,
sharing boundaries with other Counties that is, Nakuru, Kiambu, Muranga, Nyeri and
Laikipia Counties. The highest human settlements in Kenya are found in this county and
these are Shamata and Geta Settlement schemes.
A key landmark in this county is Aberdare National Park and Forest Reserve where the
county has the longest boundary (over 100Km) with the ecosystem compared to the other
counties neighboring this ecosystem. Along the protected area boundary the county boasts
of rivers, waterfalls, rocky peaks, enchanting forest sceneries and the only lake in the County,
Lake Ol’bolossat. In addition, the County boasts of huge dams and other wetlands that attract
ornithologists and bird shooting enthusiasts. The County has the potential of selling
interesting features of Kenya’s colonial period namely the Mau-Mau hide outs and the Happy
Valley Homes Network.
With the implementation of the Ecotourism Strategy, the Department of Tourism foresees the
following benefits to the County:

Improved livelihoods to county residents due to job creation (direct and indirect
opportunities).

Improved revenue generation capacity

Improved tourism infrastructure

Development of tourism accommodation facilities

Mobilization of communities to form porters and guides association

Clearly demarcated trails for hiking

Reclamation of wetlands and Expansion of Conservation areas
12 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,

T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
Enhanced environmental conservation through enforcement of environmental
regulations and management

Stiffer penalties for poachers and illegal loggers

Improved socio-economic wellbeing of local communities

Enhanced linkages with the local and international community through tourism

Improvement of the County image.

Expansion of markets for locally produced products
Mr. Speaker Sir, the following are the tourist attraction sites in the county:
CA Ward
Constituency Tourism Products and Facilities
Central Ward
Ndaragwa
Current Status
-Game drives to the ANP (Its near Rhino -Game
Gate of Aberdare national Park)
drives
in
Aberdare
National Park operational
-Accommodation (Lodge) Tafaria Castle -Tafaria Castle operational
Lodge
-Birding (ornithological safaris)
-Nature trails
Kiriita
Ndaragwa
-Possible site for eco-lodge development Uncontrolled and undeveloped
in Ndaragwa forest (accommodation)
game viewing at Manguo
-Manguo hippo point (Wildlife viewing)
Shamata
Ndaragwa
-Eco
lodges
inside
the
Park- Game
(Accommodation)
drives
through
and
safaris
shamata
gate
-Sport Tourism-High altitude training operational
camp (at Kaheho)
Trekking through Shamata gate
-Sport fishing (trout fishing-Very cold
and conducive for trout farming)
-Mountaineering-Climbing
at
Twin
peaks, Hiking and trekking at Satima
Peak, Chebuswa, weathering heights
(Access through Shamata Gate)
13 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
CA Ward
Constituency Tourism Products and Facilities
Weru Ward
Ol Jororok
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
Current Status
-Beautiful Sceneries (scenery viewing of -Bird shooting-occasional at
Lake Ol bollosat, water falls, Aberdare Lake Ol bollosat
Escarpment)
-Tabor hill lodge exists
-Wildlife safari(hippos and birds)
-Occasional bird watching
-Accommodation (lodges)
-Paragliding (requires more research)
-Water
Sports-canoeing,
motor
boat
safaris
Wanjohi
Kipipiri
-Beautiful
sceneries-Water
falls, -Uncontrolled
Aberdare escarpment cliffs,
-Happy
Valley
homes
and
illegal
fishing at Njangiri and Gitei
and river
History(Miller’s home, Wanjohi health -Fish Farming by communities
Centre, Satima primary and secondary
school, Gip house, Kiberenge house,
Rironi don, Tom house, Morgan house,
General China house, Karandi ancient
home)
-Sport fishing: Private and fish farming
-Hiking and trekking
-Wanjohi caves: Caves of motor, Caves
of posta, Dedan Kimathi cave, Kanyoi
cave, Queens cave
Kipipiri
Kipipiri
Ward
-Nature trails: Hiking and trekking to -Uncontrolled hiking to Table
scout and Kipipiri Peak
-Wildlife
and
Mountain
scenery-viewing
at
Aberdare Estate
-Accommodation-hotel and eco-homes
Geta Ward
Kipipiri
-Nature
trail
and
mountaineering- -Uncontrolled Hiking to Table
climbing at seven heads, rock climbing, Mountain and Seven Ponds
14 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
CA Ward
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
Constituency Tourism Products and Facilities
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
Current Status
camping, trekking and hiking to table -Philo Grande Camp (Camp
mountain,
Satima
peak,
Weathering site,
Wellness
Centre
and
heights, Twin Peaks and seven ponds
Botanical Garden) –this site
-Filming
requires Registration
-Trout fishing at Wanjohi river, Gitei, -Uncontrolled visit to Wan’gae
Njangiri,
caves and Gatuku falls
-Caving-Wang’ae caves and Mau Mau -Highest
history
altitude
(Rutuba sub location)
-Accommodation: Philo Grande camp -Scenery
Githioro
Kipipiri
residence
viewing-Gatuku
(wellness and recreational centre)
waterfalls
-Wildlife Sanctuary at Aberdares estate-
-Hiking to Kipipiri peak and
-Nature Trail-trekking and hiking
scout peak
-Cultural
and
religious
tourism
on -Religious pilgrimage
Kipipiri peak
Murungaru
Kinangop
Ward
-Caving-Mau mau caves
Birding
-Hiking and Trekking
-Birding (sharpe’s long claw)
North
Kinangop
Kinangop
-Mountain
biking
sport-36km -Hiking
Njabini(Pesi)-Gathara-North
and
trekking
to
Kipipiri and Scout Peak
Kinangop(Kenya Pencil-Mutubio gate -Camping at El Paraiso camp
road)
-Game drive and safari through
-Fishing-fish farming and sport fishing Mutubio gate
(Geta integrated fish project). P
-Geta
annual
-Posterity fish farm in Gitiri
operational
-Accommodation –eco-lodge
-Amani guest house
Marathon
-Game viewing –game drives to Aberdare
National Park through Mutubio Gate,
View point and picnic and Mutubio view
15 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
CA Ward
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
Constituency Tourism Products and Facilities
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
Current Status
point
-Water sports-bird shooting at John Nimu
and Karemeri dams
-Nature-Hiking and trekking to Mutubio
Gate
-Happy Valley Homes-Humphrey slade
at Karima Girls high school, Kibo House
at Kahuruko, and Guard(Gitite kia andu
anana)
Gathara
Kinangop
Ward
-Mountain
biking
sport-36km -Low
Njabini(Pesi)-Gathara-North
class
accommodation
facility exists i.e. Amani guest
Kinangop(Kenya Pencil-Mutubio gate house
road)
in
Engineer
and
Munyaka guest house
-Nature trail-hiking and trekking to Feys
and Kinangop Peak
-Accommodation-guest
house
at
Mutarakwa Forest Station
-Fishing at Turasha river and Kinja river
-Accommodation-Guest house and hotels
at Engineer Town
-Water sport-Semini dam-bird shooting
-Conferences and events organization
-Recreational
centers-gymnasium,
fanfares, sports e.t.c.
NjabiniKiburu ward
Kinangop
-Mountain
biking
sport-36
km -Trekking
Njabini(Pesi)-Gathara-North
and
hiking
to
Kinangop and Elephant peaks
Kinangop(Kenya Pencil-Mutubio gate -Camping near the peaks
road)
-Water sports at Sasumua dam- Canoeing
16 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
CA Ward
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
Constituency Tourism Products and Facilities
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
Current Status
and surfing
-Hiking and trekking to Elephant and
Kinangop Peak
-Sport fishing
-Religious pilgrimage at Elephant and
Kinangop peak
-Guest
Houses-old
white
highlands
settlers house- (Njabini boys high school,
Kimathi's wife’s farm to be approached)
Nyakio ward
Kinangop
-Agro-tourism is ideal – 3 acre land with
40 cows
Magumu
Kinangop
Ward
-Paragliding (more research)
-Viewing exists but not fully
-Scenery viewing-rift valley escarpment
developed
-Tourist
merchandise
market
along-
Naivasha Nairobi Highway
-Nature trails – Hiking and Trekking
-Twin rocks
Protected
-Game Watching
-Seven Heads
Areas (PA)
-Beautiful sceneries
-Kinangop peak
Inside
the
-(Hiking route from Geta FS-game -Marimu
valley
(Ogres-
corridor-Marimu valley- scout peak- Culture)
Mihato-Kiamboga
-Scout peak (View point)
Hiking route from Forest 1- Kanyotu- -Elephant maternity/ graveyard
scout peak- Mikaro(Kamirangi)
-Elephant hill
-Table Mountains
-Ol donyo Le Satima peak
-Mau Mau caves (Mawingu,
Wanjohi and Mikeu)
-Hill of despair (Hiking and
Cultural site)
17 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
CA Ward
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
Constituency Tourism Products and Facilities
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
Current Status
-Kanjangiri water falls
-Elephant Migratory Linking
Aberdare and Kipipiri
Objectives of the Benchmarking Tour to Nyeri, Laikipia and Meru Counties
Generally, the ultimate goal of benchmarking is to improve the performance of an institution.
The Committee set out to benchmark to:
a) Compare tourism development in those other counties and provoke innovative
ways of creating, developing and managing similar initiatives in Nyandarua
County.
b) Develop winning strategies by measuring and improving gaps in performance
c) Challenge internal paradigms on what is possible/ achievable by uncovering
strengths within the County.
d) Create new strategies on reduction of wastes, costs and maximizing outputs as
well as identifying new revenue generation streams by prioritizing goals and
resource allocation.
e) Competitively yardstick the County’s performance with its peers and become
competitive.
f) Expose key decision makers in the county where their potential to identify and
make the right decision in tourism development is enhanced.
When the Committee resolved to benchmark Nyeri, Laikipia and Meru counties, it set out to
understand the position of Tourism in the county, familiarize with the tourism potential in the
county in comparison to other counties in order to be well equipped members of the
assembly when pushing the tourism agenda in the assembly for fast tracking and realization
by the Executive member for Tourism and Wildlife.
18 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
The trip started in the Mutubio Gate in the Aberdares Ranges KWS entry which is in
Nyandarua County. The gate is accessible through a 14Km single lane bitumen surface road
off the Ndunyu Njeru- Geta gravel surface road. The route has been in existence since 1970s
and has been used mainly by the KWS and few visiting Aberdare Ranges tourists, and has
not been open to the public. The members were welcomed at the Mutubio gate by Assistant
Warden P. Chebet. The officer congratulated the committee on its decision to hold the trip,
emphasizing that this trip was overdue, and should have occurred earlier.
He noted the strategic importance of Nyandarua County in the national tourism sector as well
as in the KWS’s management plan. Noting that the county had the longest county border of
all the counties that share the ranges in the Aberdares, stretching more than 180Km from the
South most end near Thika-Flyover junction to the Northern tip in Shamata- Ndaragwa
region. This means that the county is KWS’s most strategic partner in its conservation efforts
in the Aberdares, since Nyandarua County has the longest porous border line and is therefore
prone to poaching activities. Thus, the KWS official stated that the service had already
stationed a Community Wildlife Management Contact Person in the County, who will
champion wildlife conservation awareness efforts, as well as address cases of wildlifeHuman conflicts arising within the county.
Mr. P Chebet reiterated the importance of opening the Aberdare corridor via the Mutubio
Gate as a flagship project to market Nyandarua County as a prime tourism area. To do this,
Mr. Chebet requested dedicated dialogue between the county government and the Aberdare’s
KWS office to facilitate conservation efforts. He also added that the KWS office was
conducting feasibility studies to start mainstream high altitude hiking activities in the Ranges
under a pioneer marketing slogan of “experiencing the moorlands, falls, and majestic
peaks”. He was also positive that KWS was willing to partner with the community to
establish conservancies for wildlife, especially the Ndaragwa forest region that has been
constantly downgraded by herders, poachers and loggers.
19 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
CURRENT LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK GOVERNING TOURISM
AND WILDLIFE
Mr. Speaker Sir, the existing legislations governing Tourism and Wildlife include The
Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013, The Forest Conservation and
Management Bill, 2014, and the Environmental Management and Coordination Act (EMCA)
No. 8 of 1999 that led to the establishment of The National Environment Management
Authority (NEMA) as the principal instrument of government in the implementation of all
policies relating to the environment.
The Wildlife Conservation and Management Act, 2013
Under the Act, the Kenya Wildlife Service is tasked with setting up a county wildlife
conservation committee in respect of each county.
The implementation of this Act shall be guided by the following principles—
(a) Wildlife conservation and management shall be devolved, wherever
possible and appropriate to those owners and managers of land where
wildlife occurs;
(b) Conservation and management of wildlife shall entail effective
public participation;
(c) Wherever possible, the conservation and management of wildlife
shall be encouraged using an ecosystem approach;
(d) Wildlife conservation and management shall be encouraged and
recognized as a form of land use on public, community and private
land;
(e) Benefits of wildlife conservation shall be derived by the land user in
order to offset costs and to ensure the value and management of
wildlife do not decline;
(f) Wildlife conservation and management shall be exercised in
accordance with the principles of sustainable utilization to meet the
benefits of present and future generations;
(g) Benefits accruing from wildlife conservation and management shall
be enjoyed and equitably shared by the people of Kenya.
20 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
CHAPTER TWO: FINDINGS & OBSERVATIONS FROM THE WORKSHOP AND
BENCHMARKING TOUR
FINDINGS FROM THE WORKSHOP
Resolution of Human-animal conflict
Mr. Speaker Sir, a major problem faced by those living around the forest region is attacks
by wild animals. They damage crops as well as attack the domesticated animals. In some
areas like Ndaragwa, women and children cannot walk alone at dusk for fear of being
attacked by these wild animals. There is need to liaise with KWS and KFS to sensitize the
communities by educating them on the solutions to the such problems as well as help build
wealth creation facilities to empower the communities living around the forest regions.
Compensation should be dully accorded to the affected.
The following important points were also noted, that,

The highest human settlement in the Kenya is found in the County (Geta and Shamata
settlement schemes which are only rivaled by Ethiopian highlands in the African
Continent.

Romantic homes belonging to European settlers were found this county(happy valley
Homes)

The county shares vast of its boundary with a major water tower-The
Aberdares.Aberdares should be a world heritage centre and the county can benefit
from this thus the County should work at protecting the Aberdares.

One of the stadiums in the county should be honored after one of the great athletes
like John Ngugi and Samuel Wanjiru. Statues of them should be erected and make
them one-stop shops for visitors

The county should boost their brand by adding value to the products that are locally
produced such as milk. This can be done by establishing a cheese factory and
branding their milk before selling it outside the county. Milk should be packeted and
not sold in gallons as is currently the norm.

Tourist lodges should be set up in the equator region in Ol ~ Jororok and Ndaragwa
sub-counties where the equator cuts across.
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I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
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C o m m i t t e e

Man-made forests should be encouraged by planting trees

There is need to protect the dams with passion. The dams should be fenced and the
tourists charged when they come for bird shooting.

All wet lands should be mapped. The marshy lands are a source of wealth.

Kipipiri and Engineer sub-counties have about 26 happy valley homes. Mirangiine
has 14 homes.

Video clips containing tourist features in the county should be recorded into compact
drives which should be distributed free in banks and other such places for public view
and entertainment. This will be a way of marketing tourism in the county.

The county government should secure beautiful land in the county and allow
investors to use the land for free as long as the government owns at least 40% of the
shares.

Medical Tourism: Ensure the best doctors and hospitals are based in the county by
greatly improving infrastructure in the county.

Education Tourism: Set up a university in Ol Kalou. This will boost growth in the
county

Improve the aesthetics of the county to attract investors by ensuring cleanliness in all
towns e.g. by laying gabbros

Demolish the traditional kiosks in the and build new ones with the brand name of
Nyandarua County

Protect the county by using the media positively

There is need to capitalize on all the tourist features in the county and be
accommodating and encouraging others to invest in the County.
22 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
THE BENCHMARKING TOUR
The Karuru Falls
Establishment: Cascading Waterfalls
Height: 272 Meters approx (894ft)
Attraction Type: Waterfall and panoramic scenery
Features: Water fall view, climbing, photography
Altitude: 9240Ft (2970M) above sea level
Geo Location: 0036’S,36041’E
The members visited Karuru falls, about 3 km from the main park road. Karuru falls is a
three level (3 major cascades) water fall situated in the moorland level of the Aberdares at an
altitude of 2970 metres above sea level. The combined fall of water is about 270 metres
(world waterfall database www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com ), more than three times the fall
of the famous Thompson Falls in Laikipia County (81 Metres). The falls, however, remain
largely unknown to local and regional people, though
it sits barely 10Km from the main Mutubio park
entrance.
This makes these falls the second highest in East
Africa- comparable to Kalambo Falls in Tanzania
(221M), as well as among the highest in the continent
On the date of visit, the falls were enshrouded with
deep mist and fog, as well as light drizzle, and
visibility was greatly reduced to mere metres. The trail
leading to the falls was unmarked and hard to
navigate, overgrown with elephant grass and rock
outcrops. The dirty road off the main park road to
Mweiga and Nyeri is not navigable, only passable by
wide tire high ground clearance off-road vehicles,
23 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
preferably with Limited Slip Differential. The County Assembly Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4
was repeatedly stuck in the soft earth, and took close to an hour for the members to push it
through. This is despite the falls being only 3km from the main Park road. Proper signage
indicating the distance and direction of the falls has been done. Other than for the reason that
tourism in the mountain is largely unknown, a likely reason why East Africa’s highest falls
remain unknown is due to their inaccessibility through a mere 3Km loose surface dirt path.
The river leading to Karuru falls sits on a permanent bedrock forming a narrow but very deep
trench. Game trails leading to the riverbanks were variously sighted. The falls’ view point is
sufficiently marked with treated hardwood beams of 8”x4” and strong posts. The viewpoints
open to a spectacular view of cascading waterfalls and vast valleys that extend infinitely,
creating a breath taking scenario of endless space and fall. The sound of the falling water can
be heard from several hundred metres, though the water volumes could be less than those of
Thompson falls. Properly marketed and made accessible, these falls could easily become
some of the leading waterfall attractions in Kenya and East Africa.
Gura Giant Falls
Establishment: Cascading Waterfalls
Height: 305 Metres approx (1000ft)
Attraction Type: Waterfall and panoramic scenery
Features: Water fall view, climbing, photography
Altitude: 8720Ft (2615M) above sea level
Geo Location: 0031’S,36046’E
Gura falls sit across the valley from Karuru falls in the moor
level of the Aberdares, barely 2.5Km across. Accessibility of
the falls is even harder than that of Karuru falls due to lack of
easy navigation paths. The falls feature a three level drop with
a wider volume of flow. They are situated about 4.5 Km from
the main park road, and can easily be seen with the naked eye.
24 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
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T o u r i s m
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C o m m i t t e e
Detailed examination, however, is not possible without optical aid or physical travel across
thick moor and shrubs. This might be challenging to the ordinary tourist, given that Aberdare
park is open to grazing game, which may display aggression. The fall stands 2615 metres
above sea level and is at 0031’S and 36046’E. These falls are higher than Karuru falls, with
an estimated fall of 305 metres, or close to 4 times the vertical height of Thompson falls.
This makes them the highest in East Africa and some of the highest in Africa, nearly half the
height of Tugela Falls in South Africa (947M) which are the highest in Africa and second in
the world (World of Waterfalls www.worldofwaterfalls.com ). The falls virtually sit in a deep
forest outcrop, falling steeply into a narrow, deep, and water bowl across the valley and about
2.5Km South West of Karuru falls. The terrain is undeveloped, and the falls exploration and
related tourism activities nonexistent. It is highly unlikely that many tourists have physically
set foot near the falls, with the only tourist access to the topography being on aircraft. This
factor, together with poor weather, made it impossible to take photos of the falls. The trip
members paused briefly to look at the visible part of the falls from 5km away, with almost no
audible sound of the fall volume, and from the confines of the vehicles in fear of the wildlife
and the biting cold. The two falls are located in Nyeri County, but are more easily accessible
from Mutubio gate in Nyandarua County. Thus, strategic tourism management may make it
possible for the county to benefit from tourist attractions due to both falls, seeing that they lie
less than 10Km from Nyandarua county boundary, and almost 45Km from Nyeri town.
Aberdare Fishing Lodge
Establishment: Two cottages with accommodation facilities
Attraction Type: Highest altitude sustainable habitation
Budget: Kshs 14,000 for a team not exceeding 8 people
Features: Fishing, game watching, hiking, nature tourism, mountaineering
Altitude: 9800Ft (3000M) above sea level
Geo Location: 0030’S, 36048’E
25 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
Members visited the fishing lodge at the very top of the ranges. Set on a flat terrain at a
distance of approximately 7Km from Karuru falls to the North East, the fishing lodge
features one of the most unique experiences in Kenya’s tourism, in that it features the highest
sustainable human habitation in the ranges as well as in the country. The lodge is used
mainly as a fishing expedition station, as streams in the neighboring terrain are rich with fish,
as well as a hiking station, though visitors must have escort when roaming. Game freely
accesses the lodge grounds any time and especially in the night. Members were shown
bufallo dung littering the compound, as well as a broken coal boiler felled by a bull in the
previous night.
The unique characteristic of the two lodge cabins
is that they are made from simple material, mainly
split logs. Each cabin has a log fire area, with
wood locally fetched. Each house has three
bedrooms and a kitchen, where visitors can cook
the food they bring. No food is offered in the stay.
Each cabin is rented out by KWS at Ksh 14,000
per night, and may house not more than 8 people. Non residents pay USD 210, where all
payments are made through Safari Cards obtainable at the park HQs in Mweiga. The cabins
are unguarded, but a caretaker is available.
The members were awestruck to learn that such simple technology can have such great
impacts on tourist volumes, and fetch such high returns. According to KWS reports, the
lodge cabins are normally booked all year round.
The road towards Mweiga Park entrance was partly gravelled and partly loose surface, but is
currently under rehabilitation. In several instances, contractor trucks were found stuck in the
loose ground almost blocking the roads, making travelling difficult for tourists. Game,
especially buffalos, Bongo, elephant, deer and warthogs were constantly sighted on either
side of the narrow road. Thus, members appreciated that game tourism was a natural
endowment of the Aberdares, especially the area under Nyeri County.
26 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
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C o m m i t t e e
Aberdare National Park HQ - Mweiga
Establishment: Administration of Reserve area under Kenya Wildlife Service
Attraction Type: Wildlife conservation, gazetted forest reserve
Budget: Kshs 1,000 (East African Citizen), $US 50 (foreigner) (KWS, 2011)
Features: Fishing, game watching, hiking, nature tourism, mountaineering
Altitude Peak: 13,120ft (3,999M) above sea level
Altitude Average: 3,500 metres (11,480 ft)
Area: 767 Km2
The team made a courtesy call at the Mweiga Aberdares National Park headquarters and was
hosted by the Deputy Park Warden in charge of the Park, Mr. Cyrus Muriithi. The warden
was pleased to meet the team, and explained that the decision to engage the neighboring
counties in a strategic tourism promotion and marketing initiative was a great step, and one
that would benefit not just the counties, but also the KWS’s conservation efforts. Explaining
that the service’s sole mandate was conservation of wildlife, the warden was emphatic that
KWS would give all necessary support to the county if its activities were to improve
conservation efforts, reduce poaching, and reduce wildlife-human conflicts along the lengthy
Nyandarua county Aberdares boundary.
The warden promised to transport and give wildlife to the county if the county established a
fenced conservancy for animals, as well as offer free training to the county’s youth who
wished to be trained on wildlife management, as well as tour guides and rangers. He
reiterated KWS’s dedication to position personnel in the county headquarters to manage
wildlife issues from within the county. Regarding the proposed opening of the tourism circuit
spanning the Aberdares and Mt. Kenya regions to the five main stakeholders including
Nyandarua, Kiambu, Murang’a, Meru and Laikipia counties, the Senior warden expressed
optimism that the joint consortium would lead to increased tourism earnings for the counties
and the KWS, as well as a better, easier management of poaching and increased community
inclusion in wildlife management.
27 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
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C o m m i t t e e
He promised to tour the county, upon invitation, and spearhead a major campaign to persuade
the county residents, the assembly, and the government to embrace the unique opportunity
the county has to market and develop local and regional tourism, as well as to engage in
public awareness regarding the importance of conservation and management of poaching
activities.
The David Turunga Homestay Establishment
Establishment: A family home and cottage on three acre (1.2Ha) land
Attraction Type: Domestic/small scale tourism, Eco Tourism, Conservation, economy
tourism
Budget: Kshs 2,000 per person with supper, breakfast and accommodation
Features: Land reorganization and landscaping, Bird keeping, wild birds feed-point,
affordable modern accommodation
Marketing Strategy: Location on Mt Kenya National Park Narumoru gate road, nearness to
Mount Kenya Guides and Porters Association Headquarters, affordability of service, world
class hospitality.
One of the most spectacular and eye opening experiences for the team was at the David
Turunga home stay establishment. The team was hosted in this establishment on two days. In
a home stay arrangement, a private citizen markets their home as a tourist accommodation
place, and proceeds to host tourists at an agreeable rate. The presumption is that the home
lies in a tourism corridor, is of a standard the target tourist is comfortable with, and itself has
a unique attraction for the intended tourist. This packaging was a very interesting find for the
team, given that lack of tourist lodges and tourist class accommodation is, as the team found,
the leading reason why tourists never stay in Nyandarua County.
David Turunga is a structural engineer who is Kenyan by birth, but has migrated to live and
work in the UK. In 1994, then only 28 years old, David acquired a three acre (1.2Ha) piece of
28 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
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T r a d e ,
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land to move out of his parental land which was already too small. Initially, he only intended
it as a land to put up with his young family.
The land lies 5 km from the Narumoru- Nanyuki road, and 23Km from Nanyuki town, on the
main entrance to Mount Kenya National Park entrance- Narumoru Gate. This entrance is the
shortest climb to the crest of Mt Kenya, and therefore receives some of the highest tourist
volumes. Incidentally, the land lies on an elephant migration route, and every once in a
while, elephants used to pass on the land until the Park fence was completed. This factor
alone made him want to share the story of the migrating elephants with others. By the age of
31, David had made a decision to transform the landscape and make it more appealing,
foremost for his own comfort. The area surrounding his farm is semi-arid, being on the leeward side of Mt. Kenya, and sufficiently far from the Aberdares. However, David has
transformed his land by planting and watering trees until they are mature. In his 3 acre farm,
there are more than 20 different tree types including Cypress, Cedar, C. Megalocarpus, Pine
and a variety of beautification trees. The beautification process has a transformative effect on
the environment, creating a soft cool breeze.
In 2009, Mr. David built the main house, moving out of the house he initially occupied, also
on the same plot. During a holiday stay at home, a friend suggested to him that he could host
travelling guests in his Home stay establishment. Immediately, Mr. David partitioned his old
house, and renovated the rooms to achieve a modern feel, suitable for an average tourist. In
total, the old house has six rooms, four ensuite, and two sharing a common washroom
facility. The main house is also open to visiting guests. Featuring ultra modern architecture
and interior decor, the house is a one storey complex with four bedrooms upstairs and one
visitor’s bedroom adjacent to the main entrance. All rooms feature tiled floor architecture.
The ground floor has four main rooms, including a large living room with a dining area, a
recreation area with an entertainment system, a large family room with a hearth and wooden
tiles, and a spacious modern kitchen with a six seater central dining table. In addition, the
house has a back facing patio with resting arm chairs made of wood and canvas, where the
team met each morning. The home-stay can accommodate 15 people in a day.
Since year 2012, the owner started to keep birds. Some of the bird species include the
ordinary pigeon, vulturine (bald headed) guinea fowls, peacocks, blue wattle helmeted guinea
29 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
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fowl, red wattle helmeted guinea fowl, cranes, white doves, domestic fowl (chicken) among
others. In addition, Mr. Turunga also feeds wild birds using elevated feed troughs in the
compound. The wild birds are attracted by the cacophony of songs produced by the
domesticated birds, which then fly in to feed and water in the compound. The most common
visitor birds observed were the Eurasian blue tit and the song thrash. The birds are a good
attraction for tourists, especially to bird watchers.
The challenges that Mr. Turunga faces include terrain difficulties and business development.
The surrounding terrain is black cotton soil, a soil type which notoriously retains water in wet
season. Thus, the 200 metres long entry dirt path to his facility becomes impassable in wet
weather, a situation exacerbated by its narrow 10 feet demarcation. His efforts to murram the
section have borne little fruits as the murram is subdued by the loose earth whenever it rains.
In addition, Mr. Turunga’s establishment is relatively new and unknown to many visitors,
especially because it is unmarked and not marketed online. The visitor volumes thus fluctuate
with season and luck, as most visitors are by referrals only. Additionally, the family is
resident in the UK, and the business is left to be managed by caretakers in the owners’
absence. Despite these challenges, the home is always booked during weekends. Currently,
the premise lacks a business management strategy which should fine tune its operations to
take advantage of the blossoming small scale home-based tourism business.
The Mount Kenya Guides and Porters Safari Club
Establishment: Community Based Tour Guide Group
Membership: Voluntary, by share
Headquarters: Narumoru, Mt Kenya National Park road (7Km)
Started: 1986
Specific Interest: Providing tour guides and porters to tourists, conservation of wildlife,
profit
Volume: 200 visitors in peak season
Charges: Ksh100, 000 per person for 4 days in high season
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Members: permanent- 200, contracted- 600 porters in high season
The team visited the MKGPSC. This is a community based organization that engages in
assisting travelers hiking the Mount Kenya National Park. The group started in 1986 as
random contracted helpers of tourists visiting Mount Kenya from the Narumoru River Lodge.
Situated strategically between the Aberdare and Mount Kenya tourist destinations, the
Narumoru River Lodge was an instrumental central point that helped develop early hiking
activities in Mount Kenya. It also received some of the highest volumes of tourists to Kenyan
highlands. The guides decided to start their own organization to help tourists. This group
started registering members and investing in share capital to purchase land, uniforms, and
other administrative functions. In the headquarters located 7Km from Narumoru, the group
has put up four cottages and plans to expand to 20 beds to cater for guests enroute camping
expeditions. The headquarters is built in land sold by one of the founding members, and also
features the IT center.
It engaged KWS in training in order to acquire skills and professionalism in performance of
duty. The group developed in the first decade to achieve a leading, almost monopolistic
dominance in the Mt Kenya guide business. This dominance was challenged by 1998 by the
large scale rise of dozens of tour operation companies which were operating in the same
region. This led the group to strategically go online at a time when most businesses were not.
Today, most of their guests are online visitors and referral cases. This way, the group has
managed to remain relevant in the face of cut-throat competition from thousands of tour
companies operating in Kenya today. The group works closely with Kenya Tourism Board,
KWS, the community policing authorities, and the common citizens. The sole beneficiaries
are the community and the members, who provide the actual services.
The group receives guests mainly in the tourist season. The group laments that travel
advisories have greatly reduced their business volumes. The group charges Ksh100, 000 for a
4 day trip, where government revenue is approximately Ksh21, 000. The rest is divided
between travel bookings, accommodation, and employee salaries. Thus, on average, a tourist
using the group services for four days may earn it Kshs 40,000- Ksh50, 000. The group
receives about 200 visitors per season. The group has about 600 people working in the high
season.
31 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
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The team was greatly inspired by the group’s ventures. They realized that the lack of
organized community policy on tourism is a great setback in the effort to transform the
county’s tourism sector.
The Mount Kenya National Park- Narumoru Gate
Establishment: 1949-Administration of Reserve area under Kenya Wildlife Service, Kenya
Forest Service
Attraction Type: Wildlife conservation, gazetted forest reserve
Budget: Kshs 1,000 (East African Citizen), $US 50 (foreigner) (KWS, 2011)
Features: Game watching, hiking, nature tourism, mountaineering, camping
Location: 0012’S 37009’E
Altitude Peak: 17,057ft (5,199M) above sea level
Altitude Average: 3,500 metres (11,480 ft)
Area: National Park-767 Km2, Forest Reserve-705Km2, combined -1472Km2
Committee’s Specific Objective: Discovering management excellence based on simple
principles
The committee visited the Mt Kenya National Park via Narumoru gate, under the guidance of
the officer in charge, Senior Warden Simon Gitau. The gate is approximately 10Km East of
Narumoru town, enshrouded by the montane forest. The road leading to the park
headquarters is loose earth and under construction. Cypress trees dominate the lower altitude
areas bordering the Mount Kenya national park topography. Beyond the border gate marking
the reserve area, indigenous trees including the red mountain cedar, the popocarpus trees, the
Hagenia (Rosewood) and various vegetation bands including the giant lobelias and rock
hyrax. Surrounding the park is dense vegetation with outcrops of bamboo.
The park headquarters is set up in a gradually inclining plane, open to game, and relative
clear. Thus, movement in the night is restricted or prohibited as buffalos freely roam the
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compound, and the right of way in any Kenyan park is exclusive to animals. In this park,
armed rangers are not common, as contrasted with the Aberdares. Even porters and guides
are unarmed. The compound houses the gate watch and admission offices, the headquarters,
the store, a separate campsite, a garage, staff quarters and one cottage. One predominant
feature of the park headquarters is that it is very clean. The grass is cut and there is no liter at
all, only buffalo dung dots the well kept grass carpet. Even the camp site is well maintained
and managed.
In the park compound is a single cottage that is accessible to visitors through booking, and
accommodation paid using cash (either Kshs or US $). The house has four bedrooms and
made in a modern way. The cottage charges Kshs 10,000 per night for a maximum of eight
persons sharing, and visitors bring their own food. A kitchen and kitchen facilities are
provided. The cottage opens to a picturesque view of the pristine staff quarters that are well
decorated, a clean fresh air environment within the vegetation and the road leading up the
mountain. The cottage is close to the Met station, another key attraction in the Mt. Kenya
National Park package.
The team learnt that tourism has very little to do with actual game watching or mountain
climbing, but a lot to do with packaging of basic, essential products. The cottage is very
affordable and can house eight persons for the same Kshs 10,000 package, separate from the
Ksh1, 000 p.p park entry fee. The combined expenses come to Kshs 18,000 for a team of
eight, which is less than Ksh3, 000 per person inclusive of park fees and accommodation in a
state of the art cottage facility. This also includes access to other activities such as climbing,
hiking, bird watching, nature trails and a clean, pristine environment. The Mount Kenya
national park experience is perhaps the most affordable package of its nature any tourist can
get. Thus, cleanliness, modern but relatively cheap architecture, as well as kingly hospitality
by staff is the key selling point of the park’s cottage facility. It is worth noting that the team
saw no game, did not do any nature trailing, rock climbing or hiking in the park, but
experienced an unforgettable moment.
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Mount Kenya Orphanage
Establishment: Orphanage for animals from diverse regions
Attraction Type: Orphaned animals, conservation champions, community education
Budget: Kshs 1,500 entry fees;
: Organization registration Ksh3, 000- including camping facility
Donations Wall: $150 (Green), $500 (Orange), $1000 (blue), above$500 (white)
Location: Nanyuki
Area: 1200 Acres (300Ha)
Ownership: Private, not for profit
Founder: William Holden Foundation
Attraction type: More than 27 animal species including Mountain Bongo, hippo, ostrich,
Tsavo cat
Committee’s Specific Objective: Discovering tourism based on imported animals
The team visited the William Holden Mt Kenya Orphanage. The establishment is a private
conservation venture whose specific interest is taking care of orphaned animals, educating
community about conservation and preservation of wildlife, and tourism. The organization is
a not for profit venture.
The committee was welcome into the 1200 acre facility by grazing Mountain Bongos near
the main gate. The animals were of varying age, some born in the orphanage, and others
rescued in areas surrounding the Mt Kenya and Aberdares national parks, their home
environments. In the visitor area, there were various caged animals including Columbus
Monkeys, Tsavo cat, a baby giraffe, a giant tortoise, a leopard, different birds, pygmy hippos
and gazelle among others. The animals are fed and housed in the facility, where the budget
for the rescue and upkeep of the orphanage is fully met by the foundation, donors, and fees
paid at the entry by visitors. Private visitors pay Ksh1, 500 at the entrance, while groups who
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register at the Foundation offices can book entry and camping facilities for Kshs 3,000.
Schools gain free entry upon registration with the foundation, whereby specific lessons about
the importance of wildlife management and conservation are included. The park receives
between 800-1000 visitors in the high season and about 600 visitors in the low season per
month. The operation budget is in the range of Kshs 2,000,000 per month.
The team leant that the lack of natural game in Nyandarua County should not hinder the
development of tourism in the county. The Mt Kenya orphanage is established in an area
surrounded by farmlands and ordinary landscape, less interesting than the topography in
Nyandarua County. All animals are delivered under license from the KWS and the orphanage
is privately owned. Thus, it is possible to attract tourists in our county if such an orphanage is
set up, and take advantage of the KWS commitment already retaliated by both the Aberdares
and Mt Kenya National Park senior wardens that KWS would be willing to give animals to
the county provided conservation habitats are established in designated areas.
The Old House Cottages
Establishment: Family owned eco tourism facility
Attraction Type: Serene Domestic class hospitality, seminar rooms, accommodation, events
hosting
Budget: Standard room Kshs 3,000 in low season, Kshs 5,000-7,000 high season per day
Self catering cottage (3bdrm ensuite): Kshs 15,000 per day low season, Kshs 20,000 high
season
Location: 0000’13’’ S37004’40’’E- Nanyuki 3km from town
Area: 20 Acres (8Ha)
Ownership: Private, for profit
Founder: Family- Florence Wamuyu
Attraction type: Accommodation, eco-tourism, meetings, conferences, self catering cottages
35 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
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Committee’s Specific Objective: Discovering tourism based on private homecare
The committee visited the Old House Cottages in Nanyuki town. The facility is based on a
family home made from local material including logs and thatch several decades ago. The
home has been converted into a tourist accommodation and eco-tourism centre as well as a
place for meetings and conferences. The baseline attraction is the uniqueness of the old
architecture modeled in a modern way and a beautiful picturesque river frontage passing
through the establishment. The owners have since put up modern architecture cottages that
feature self catering services, at the fees indicated above. Simple accommodation room
facilities are also included for Kshs 3,000 per night. The owner stated that the rooms,
conference facilities and cottages are mostly booked all the time, and that bookings for the
high festive season is already complete several months prior.
The team realized the importance of executive packaging of ordinary services such as hotel
services, as well as the importance of sustaining an old feel to a new package. The Old House
is simply a place for local and travelling tourists, and is almost always overbooked.
South Imenti- Meru Region Infrastructure
Establishment: General Administrative region under Meru County
Attraction Type: Infrastructure development and Landscaping boost for domestic tourism
Location: Meru County
Area: 397Km2
Population: 179,604 (2009 census)
Ownership: Public Land, Meru County
Attraction type: Infrastructure contribution to tourism- roads, landscaping, municipality
organization
Committee’s Specific Objective: Discovering the importance of urban areas clean-up and
organization, as well as roads network maintenance in attracting investors in tourism
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The committee visited various places within South Imenti constituency in Meru County. This
region has recently come under the limelight owing to mass protests over demolition of
kiosks in January 14, 2014. The urban center cleanup was pioneered by Meru Governor Peter
Munya, and provided alternative relocation for traders in Gakoromone. Despite the protests,
the town center cleanup initiative has led to a facelift of the formerly untidy metropolitan
area, leading to an influx of investors. Some of the key markers of this revolutionary move
are the new waste management practice where each shop or business collects refuse at a
central place in the roadside, and county workers pick the bags periodically each day. All
kerbs are marked and drainage systems de-clogged every day so as to allow free flow of
water. As a result, the town is tidy. Rehabilitation of parking areas near the new Tuskys chain
store outlet in the town has led to increased shoppers, an example likely to encourage other
investors to the region.
The team exited into the Meru- Nkubu- Nairobi road B6 and toured various places off the
highway. In particular, the team noted the infrastructural development in all urban centers,
with good road networks and cleaning operations. The drainage system in every road is
remarkable. The team exited B6 onto the Kionyo Tea Factory road and made a stop at the
factory. The environment in South Imenti is rich with a complex blend of forest and
commercial agriculture farms, the main cash crop being tea. The ring circuit skirting the
mountain border to the west is alive with travelers viewing the region’s rich diversity, a true
eco-tourism destination. Thus, even though the team did not enter the Mt Kenya National
Park through the western gate, they had a very fulfilling experience just viewing the forests at
the mountain base in the wider Kanyakine area.
The experience was reminiscent of the Aberdares road circuit from Magumu through
Engineer and Geta, Wanjohi and Ol~Kalou. The difference that stood out is the lack of
infrastructural development that is needed to support tourism activities in the Aberdares, such
as permanent all weather roads. The Ndunyu Njeru- Geta- Engineer road is gravel and
difficult to navigate especially for visitors in smaller two wheel drive vehicles during the wet
season. In addition, the opening of the Mutubio gate route to tourists is not completed,
neither is the development of the infrastructure leading to the primary attractions in Aberdare
ranges such as the falls and fishing lodge.
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CHAPTER THREE: OBSERVATIONS OF THE COMMITTEE
Mr. Speaker Sir, both the workshop and the trip were eye openers for the team. It helped the
members to explore new strategies that will enhance tourism development in Nyandarua
County and make recommendations which, if properly effected, will transform the tourism
sector in Nyandarua County. The team discovered the following
1. That Nyandarua County’s lack of an existing gazetted game reserves is not a
determining factor in the county’s tourism industry, given that the county has a
conducive climate and rich biodiversity conducive for tourism products that include
attractions such as nature trails, hills and Aberdare Ranges, wetlands and other
sceneries not forgetting availability of land for tourism development.
2. That the county lacks adequate or dependable network of accommodation facilities
that can handle heavy visitor traffic either domestic or international. This factor
hampers the County’s potential to attract visitors or hold visitors on transit to other
tourist destinations such as the Thompson Falls.
3. That the county has a great potential for domestic tourism infrastructure development.
The key driver in this regard is the busy agricultural sector where visitors crisscross
the County when collecting agricultural products. Home stays or low end visitor
facilities can easily close this gap and encourage visitors to stay longer in the county.
That there is strategic importance of small or domestic class tourism destinations such
as eco lodges and home stays. Nyandarua has an abundance of homes that naturally
fit as home stays and eco-tourism destinations. These include the Happy Valley
circuit of homes under private occupation at the moment.
4. The County requires several wildlife sanctuaries or an animal orphanage.
Collaboration with big land owners and major agencies like KWS is key. Despite
being in the proximity of Aberdare Ranges which are a natural habitat for animals,
and a big source of abandoned or orphaned animals, the county lacks animal
orphanage destinations. KWS has stated commitment to support the county by giving
or allowing the custody of abandoned or orphaned animals. Orphanages can be
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owned and operated by governments or individuals, provided that the proper licensing
and regularization by KWS has been observed. A recreational centre in urban centers
or strategic sites will also enhance visitation.
5. The lack of a dedicated organization and arrangement of our urban centers may be
contributing to the lack of investors willing to exploit the unique position of the
county as a center point of the greater central Kenya tourism circuit. The
infrastructural setbacks include poor road infrastructure and drainage, poor
organization of urban centers, dirty or polluted environments.
39 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
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CHAPTER FOUR: RECOMMENDATIONS
Mr. Speaker Sir, the main components of tourism are accessibility, accommodation and
attraction or locale. These are considered the 3 A's of tourism. Accessibility refers to the
ability for tourists to get to the destination. Accommodation means that tourists have a place
to stay upon reaching the destination and a way to get food. Much like accessibility,
accommodation also needs to be economical, safe and comfortable. Attraction means that the
destination needs to have some draw that makes tourists want to visit.
Recommendations from the Benchmarking Tour
Mr. Speaker Sir, the committee was unanimous in making the following
recommendations:
1. That the county government should set aside funds to hasten the opening up of the
Mutubio Gate Aberdare National Park route, so as to enhance accessibility to the key
tourist destinations under the park, including the Karuru and Gura Falls, the Fishing
Lodge, the moorlands and hiking trails, all of which lie within nearer proximity of
Nyandarua county that all other counties sharing the Aberdares, including Nyeri
County in which the falls are located, or Murang’a County in which the Fishing
Lodge is located.
2. The county should immediately embark on rehabilitation of the homes, either as
reclaimed facilities from current owners, or as a joint initiative with current occupiers,
or as a stimulus program where owners still retain custody but receive renovation
loans or grants from the government, in order to attract home stay tourists.
3. The government should immediately come up with ways to encourage middle level
investors to set up hotel facilities in the county. Such ways may include free land or
subsidized lease rates to investors willing to set up hotel facilities, or grants and loans
to set up hotels, among other packages
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4. That awareness creation among community members regarding the nature and ease of
setting up home stays should be prioritized
5. That signage of all existing tourist destinations is imminent and should not be delayed
further. The recommended signage method is use of engraved stones as these are
more durable and have an aesthetic merit resonant with tourism sites.
6. That the county should look into ways of setting up orphanages, either as state owned
or private ventures, in which case the government should help investors in engaging
the KWS for regularization and licensing.
7. That the government should embark on a long term infrastructural facelift initiative to
transform all urban centers and roads. The intended results are cleaner towns, proper
drainage, and controlled pollution, which will encourage investors into the county.
41 | R e p o r t o n t h e s t a t u s o f T o u r i s m i n N y a n d a r u a C o u n t y , 2 0 1 4
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Recommendations from the Workshop
1. There is need to appraise, map and identify potential tourism resources in the entire
county. Currently only Kinangop and Kipipiri sub-counties have been partly mapped.
There is need to look into the other sub-counties.
2. Enhance environmental management, infrastructure development; water harvesting
and supply, improvement of access roads, supply of electricity, provision of social
and health amenities
3. Enhance
service
delivery-provision
of
quality services,
sustainable
waste
management, well planned and clean urban centers in order to create incentives for
investors
4. Enhance information dissemination through all media avenues
5. Promote education and capacity building for all to promote the tourism agenda
6. The county should produce a guide book showing all the sites after mapping all areas
out i.e. after a thorough profiling of the entire county. This should include both
printed and electronic copies that can even be sold.
7. Major Gorr Carl’s home in Engineer is on sale and the county government should
take it up as a tourist site and be developed.
8. There is need to give incentives to guides on the ground who have a lot of
information and experience in the terrain. One such guide Mr.Karanja Warima
(0716108992) was identified.
9. The conditions of the caves should be improved to make them easily accessible as
most of them are marred with growth hindering passage through them. This is
currently ongoing and should be fast tracked.
10. There is need for development of potential hiking trails in the Aberdare ecosystem.
This should be prioritized and well planned for.
11. The department should produce marketing materials such as maps and atlases,
brochures and pamphlets
12. Utilize high attitude sports areas like Shamata, Geta, and Ndundori by establishing
affordable accommodation lodges.
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13. Collaborate with other counties for example by constructing by-county roads to link
counties because in this way tourism in our county will be opened up to visitors
visiting the other counties.
14. Another conference should be held inviting the Ministry of Water and Lands and all
members of the Assembly before the supplementary budget is made to help inform
and educate the members on the great potential the county has in the tourism sector as
it is highly untapped yet could be a great source of revenue.
15. The county government should look into renovating or establishing Meetings and
Conference centers.
16. There is need to market Nyandarua County through online networks including
Facebook, Twitter and the county Websites
17. Not all the happy valley homes are worth rehabilitating. The suitable ones should be
identified.
18. Agricultural Tourism: Nyandarua is known as the hub of agricultural activities
especially potato farming and dairy milk farming. Experts in farming for example the
best potato farmer should be identified. Visitors can be directed to these farms to
learn and even be charged a fee as a means of wealth creation.
19. The committee needs to visit the tourist attraction sites in the county such as the
happy valley homes in order to establish guidelines as to how they should develop
them to reach more than average standards.
20. Tour guides/operators should be invited for a free trip in the county to see what
the county has to offer so that they can help market the county. This was keenly
noted at the Tourism Expo organized by The Kenya Tourism Board in KICC
where potential investors and tour operators expressed their lack of information
on the Tourism potential in Nyandarua County. Many were surprised that the
County is home to one of the longest lakes that has the most beautiful species of
birds in the region lake.
21. The County government should look for professionals to champion the marketing
strategy.
22. Nyandarua Institute of Science and Technology should be urged to train students on
hospitality, tourism to help produce students with the relevant skills in the field.
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Signages
Mr. Speaker Sir, members of the Committee recommended the following in regard to putting
up of signages:

Beautiful and permanent signages preferably of stone (not aluminum, to prevent
vandalism) should be made with inbuilt wooden subscriptions.

River stones can be used as they are colorful and have different shapes

The best wood recommended for use is treated eucalyptus

The wood on which the writings would be engraved can be of a unique shape for
example the shape of the map of the county

The signages should be placed in such positions where they cannot be destroyed by
the road graders.

Large signages should be placed on the highways as they are more visible and can be
used for advertisements as well.

Lights can be used on the signages to increase their visibility at night.

Smaller signages should be used as you move towards closer to the trails

A bike hiking marathon covering all 5 sub-counties should be created with a route
being identified each year.
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CHAPTER FIVE: CONCLUSION
Mr. Speaker Sir, both the workshop and the trip were eye openers for the team.
Nyandarua County has a lot to benefit from local tourism as it boosts of several tourist
attraction sites as well as agri - tourism where vegetables, potato and dairy farming are the
leading farming activities in the region. Despite the large tourism development potential and
which is basically untapped, Nyandarua County has lagged behind due to lack of a tourism
development strategy since Kenya’s independence.
Lack of adequate or dependable network of accommodation facilities that can handle
heavy visitor traffic either domestic or international and lack of an organized arrangement of
our urban/town centers were noted as the major setbacks. This may be contributing to the
lack of investors willing to exploit the unique position of the county as a center point of the
greater central Kenya tourism circuit. The infrastructural setbacks include poor road
infrastructure and drainage, poor organization of urban centers, dirty or polluted
environments.
Mr. Speaker Sir, Nyandarua County has to identify a key project (e.g. Lake Ol
bollosat, Aberdare ranges) that it will be known for. For example, Machakos has the
renowned people’s park and the infamous Masaku 7’s, Nakuru County is well known for
Lake Nakuru and its flamingos,Kirinyaga county is known for bungee jumping, water rafting
and fishing activities and Muranga county has plans to establish an animal orphanage. What
feature will sell Nyandarua County???
Effort must be put in developing the road networks within the county to enhance
accessibility to the tourists sites, signages must be put in place, training must be done to the
relevant groups, an inventory must be establish and the communities surrounding this tourist
sites must be involved.
The committee strongly recommends that the CEC member in Charge of Tourism and
Wildlife should move with speed to get the county going places in matters Tourism and
Wildlife.
In conclusion, Mr. Speaker Sir, it is my pleasant duty and privilege on behalf of the
Industrialization, Trade, Co-operatives, Tourism & Wildlife Committee to present this report
to this honorable house for adoption.
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CHAPTER SIX: BIBLIOGRAPHY
Kenya Wildlife Service Tarriffs, 2014: Parks and Reserves Revised Tarriffs,
2011.http://www.kws.go.ke/export/sites/kws/about/downloads/Entry_Fee_Leaflet.pdf
Mount Kenya Safari Guides and Porters, 2014 (Retrieved on 4th September, 2014)
http://www.mtkenyaguides.com/contact_us.htm
Mount Kenya Animal Orphanage, 2014: http://www.animalorphanagekenya.org/
Open Data Website, 2014: Meru County (Retrieved on 10th September, 2014)
https://www.opendata.go.ke/facet/counties/Meru?limitTo=maps
The Old House Cottages, 2014: Bookings and Reservations www.theoldhouse.co.ke
World Water Falls Database Website, 2014: Gura and Karuru Falls in Kenya. (Retrieved
on 11th September, 2014) http://www.worldwaterfalldatabase.com/waterfall/Gura-Falls-96/
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I n d u s t r i a l i z a t i o n ,
T r a d e ,
C o - o p e r a t i v e s ,
T o u r i s m
&
W i l d l i f e
C o m m i t t e e
APPENDIX 1: CONTACTS
KWS-Mt Kenya National Park and Reserve
Mr. Simon Gitau
Senior Warden
Office Tel: 020 3568763
Personal 0722279502
KWS-Aberdares National Park
Deputy Park Warden Mr. Cyrus Muriithi
Mweiga Park HQ
Office Tel: +254 20 2046271
Senior Warden 0722255532
David Turunga Home Stays
Abe Mwangi
Tel: +447516393722
The Old House
Florence Wamuyu
Proprietor
Tel: +254722697868
Mt Kenya Guides and Porters Safari club
Mr. Mathew Maina
Tel:+254723112483
Nyandarua County renowned porter and Guide
Mr. Karanja Warima
Tel: +254716108992
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