Kenya tightens security in coastal town ahead of festival

Kenyan authorities have heightened security in the coastal town of Lamu ahead of an annual festival that begins on Thursday.

Visitors attending the annual Lamu Cultural Festival that will run until Sunday were on Tuesday assured of the tight security.

Coast Regional Coordinator Nelson Marwa said police officers are manning all venues for festive events that include donkey races and competitions in swimming, drawing, cookery and poems.

"We have enough officers both in uniform and undercover detectives deployed in the entire county to make sure the festival goes without any incident of insecurity," said Marwa.

He said the ongoing operation in Boni has played a major role in bolstering security in the coastal town that had in the past witnessed gruesome terrorist attacks by Al-Shabaab militants.

The militants staged deadly attacks in 2014 in the once calm town where they brutally murdered more than 100 people, dealing a hefty blow to local tourism.

According to tourism stakeholders, more than 30,000 domestic and foreign visitors are expected to attend the event.

Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers Coast executive Sam Ikwaye told Xinhua that the festival will also boost both foreign and local tourism during the high season.

"We are expecting more visitors including foreigner during this season, already hotels have received booking for December holiday. The lifting of travel advisories has also boosted tourism," Ikwaye said. Endit