The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
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The government has cancelled the licenses of four tour operators as part of a nationwide crackdown on non-compliant businesses within Kenya’s multibillion-shilling tourism industry.
The Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA), working with a multi-agency team, launched the enforcement drive in the Maasai Mara before extending it to Amboseli, Tsavo, and the Coast.
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TRA Director General Norbert Tallam named the affected firms as Kenmara Tour Operators, Thinkscenes Services Ltd, Twinkle Star Tours and Safaris, and Dosasha Tour and Safaris. He explained that the companies will remain suspended until they meet all regulatory requirements.
“This is a major milestone. We are determined to ensure the sector is well-regulated,” Tallam said during the operation in Amboseli National Park. “Unlicensed operators must comply or they will not be permitted to work.”
He urged visitors to book with licensed companies only, noting that the exercise is aimed at safeguarding Kenya’s reputation as a leading global destination while ensuring fairness and healthy competition.
TRA Board Chairman Benjamin Washiali added that the agency will continue taking firm action against defiant players.
“Tourism is one of Kenya’s biggest foreign exchange earners. We cannot allow it to be undermined by poor regulation. That is why we are now leaving offices and hitting the ground to restore order,” he said.
Washiali observed that some operators flagged earlier had already complied, showing the initiative was bearing fruit.
Officials emphasized that the crackdown is not intended to cripple businesses but to enforce professionalism, safety, and sustainability in the sector. Inspections are expected to expand to more tourism hotspots in the coming weeks as part of efforts to eliminate rogue operators.
