The tourism sector has suffered the harshest blow from the Covid-19 pandemic that has devastated the economy. The grounding of passenger flights in a bid to curb the spread of the virus was when the rain started beating it with deadly ferocity. With no foreign tourists arriving, hotels have been reduced to ghost premises. Also affected are tourism-related businesses, including transport. In Coast, the little curio and other handicraft businesses popular with tourists have been wiped out.

Domestic tourism remains insignificant in terms of numbers and is mostly seasonal. But even this is impossible with the cessation of movement into and out of Nairobi and Mombasa, which are pivotal in the travel industry. Massive layoffs by hotels have not spared the upcountry attractions. With hotels and lodges shut, the captivating annual wildebeest migration, a major global tourist attraction, has been left to the wild animals.

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