Murang’a County offers a new vacation destination as hotels come on the market

Vacationers flock to Murang’a County, which is fast becoming a tourist destination, attracting hundreds of local guests.

This is a boon to a county not listed as part of the Mt Kenya Tourism Circuit.

Facilities along the Sagana River are being booked as a new tourist destination has opened up for vacationers.

Such facilities offer water sports activities and are preferred by international tourists.

Passenger train traffic has also spiced up the trip up the mountain.

In Nanyuki, a traditional resort town, players in the hotel industry are preparing to accommodate hundreds of guests.

The Murang’a hotel creation journey began in 2010 with the creation of the Golden Palm Hotel in Kenol. This offered alternatives to holidaymakers who previously traveled to Nyeri and Thika for conference and overnight accommodation.

Mt. Kenya Tourism Circuit secretary Charles Karuga said a number of new facilities had opened following the introduction of decentralization.

“Since the advent of decentralization, we’ve opened more facilities. For example, there are three branches of Nokras Hotels in Murang’a County. The traditional tourist bases of Mombasa and Naivasha still have their customers, ”said Karuga.

However, hotel operators say that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of guests will be limited in order to adhere to established protocols.

“The majority of the hotels are closed due to the pandemic and the few remaining are struggling to stay afloat,” Karuga said.

Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria appreciated the impact of decentralization as more hotels opened in central Kenya depending on holding meetings in Nyeri and Thika. He said there are now at least four major hotels in each of the counties in Mt. Kenya.