Standard Team
20 December 2006
Nairobi — Women Parliamentarians and hoteliers reacted angrily to revelations of sexual exploitation of children and pledged to step up the fight against the vice.
Kenya Women Parliamentary Association asked the Government to close all villas at the Coast, which are used by sexual pests to exploit children.
In a statement read by MPs Ms Cecily Mbarire and Prof Christine Mango, Kewopa also wants hoteliers to check the ages and identities of all young girls accompanying adults to their rooms.
"Hoteliers should ensure under-age girls do not check in and lodge with tourists by demanding to see their identity cards," Mango said during a press conference at Parliament Buildings.
The founder of Kenya Anti-Rape Organisation, Mrs Fatma Anyanzwa, told the Government to stop feigning shock at the vice as though sex tourism targetting minors was new.
Hotels to renew campaigns child sex tourism
Anyanzwa blamed the rise of sex tourism on the Government's reluctance to act early when she and other whistle blowers raised the alarm 10 years ago.
"The Government does not have to wait until Unicef files a report on sex tourism. They didn't listen hen we raised the matter 10 years ago," she said.
The Kenya Association of Hotelkeepers and Caterers, said 117 hotels, which previously signed a code of conduct to fight child sex tourism, would renew campaigns in the wake of the damning report.
KAHC National chairlady, Ms Lucy Karume, said since those engaging in sex with underage children were known to use guest and private houses, the tourist police unit officers should intensify surveillance around the premises.
But the spotlight was sharply turned on the Government for dithering to take action over immorality involving children along the beaches even after the vice was first highlighted by whistle-blowers 10 years ago.
Promoting responsible tourism
According to Karume, the 117 institutions grouped under KAHC had signed a pact with Pub, Entertainment and Restaurant Owners Association of Kenya to ensure children do not patronise nightclubs.
"We are not ready to compromise the lives of children in the name of tourism. We should all promote responsible tourism," Karume said.
She said since the signing of the code of conduct two years ago, industry stakeholders had united to sensitise staff on preventing sex pests from exploiting young children.
Nyali Beach Hotel General Manager, Mr James Mwangi, said major hotels have effectively stopped sex tourism, but tourist police and other security operators need to work with the public to flash out culprits in private and guest houses.
"The tourist police should also intensify patrols on the beaches," he said.
Bamburi Beach Hotel General Manager Mr Charles Ibua said his hotel began the anti-child sex tourism 10 years ago.
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