Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has called on both local and international tourists to explore white-water rafting as part of their travel experience in Kenya.

Speaking on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Miano said the government is actively promoting rafting and other outdoor adventure activities as part of a broader strategy to diversify Kenya's tourism portfolio.

“We invite tourists to engage in this thrilling and health-boosting activity while enjoying Kenya’s diverse natural offerings,” said Miano.

She noted that the state is intensifying efforts to expand adventure and sports tourism, positioning Kenya as a continental leader in this emerging and fast-growing sector.

Her remarks followed her attendance at the inaugural African White-Water Rafting Championship, held in Murang’a County.

The event attracted competitors from 11 African nations, including Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Burundi, Morocco, Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

“The championship not only reflects the growing cohesion within Africa’s rafting community but also speaks to the continent’s rising appetite for varied tourism products,” she added.

Miano, who presided over the event on Friday, July 18, alongside Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, described the moment as a milestone for both Kenya and Africa’s adventure tourism landscape.

“This isn’t just about sport it’s about unlocking new possibilities for tourism. Rafting marks a shift from conventional travel experiences to new frontiers with immense economic potential,” she stated.

She said embracing activities like rafting could stimulate job creation, attract private investment, and cement Kenya’s position as a key player in global adventure tourism.

Acknowledging the limited number of professional rafting guides in the country, Miano revealed that the government is scaling up training initiatives and strengthening collaborations with the private sector to ensure sustainable growth of the sport.