DP Kithure Kindiki and Tourism CS Rebecca Miano show off dance moves at Magical Kenya Travel Expo/SCREENGRABA light-hearted moment occurred when Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano showcased their dance moves during the launch of the 15th edition of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo (MKTE) at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi.
The two leaders, who were attending the tourism event, momentarily broke away from the formalities to join cultural performers on stage.
A video captured during the ceremony shows Kindiki, smartly dressed in a dark blue suit, swaying to the rhythm with a broad smile as he moved his hands and shoulders in sync with the beat.
His cheerful demeanor drew curiosity from the audience, adding colour to the otherwise official proceedings.
CS Miano also joined in, matching her colleague’s enthusiasm with graceful dance steps. She was spotted enjoying the cultural tunes, guided by one of the event’s lead performers, who was dressed in a vibrant, multi-coloured traditional outfit.
The sight of the two senior government officials embracing the spirit of the cultural showcase lit up the ceremony.
The Magical Kenya Travel Expo is one of the country’s premier tourism trade fairs, attracting participants from across the globe.
In his remarks earlier, the DP called for diversification in Kenya’s tourism offerings, urging the sector to embrace non-traditional attractions and innovative products to remain globally competitive.
While acknowledging the continued appeal of Kenya’s signature wildlife safaris, cultural heritage, and coastal retreats, Kindiki said the country must expand its portfolio to include new experiences that appeal to a wider range of visitors.
“I commend the Ministry of Tourism’s efforts to drive the astro-tourism initiative that takes advantage of Kenya’s equatorial positioning. Desert safaris in areas such as Chalbi are also emerging as significant opportunities to rival the Middle East and Asian markets,” he said.
The Deputy President pointed to Kenya’s growing reputation as the continent’s “Silicon Savannah,” saying the country could leverage its innovation credentials to attract tech-driven tourism, particularly among young entrepreneurs.
“We must develop new tourist products and exploit untapped potential in non-traditional attractions and regions to spur the sector’s growth. We must capitalise on the opportunities that intra-Africa tourism can provide within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area,” he added.
He reiterated that the tourism sector is one of the strongest drivers of economic growth in Kenya, with new figures pointing to record gains in both visitor arrivals and revenue.
He said the country welcomed close to 2.4 million visitors in 2024, representing a 15 per cent increase compared to 2023.
Revenues rose by 20 per cent to Sh452 billion (USD 3.5 billion), with domestic tourism cited as a key growth area.
