President William Ruto has declared Kenya not just a destination for adventure but a spiritual and historical homecoming, saying the country offers visitors a chance to reconnect with the origins of humanity.

Speaking at the Maasai Mara National Reserve during the global launch of the 2025 Great The President pointed to discoveries such as the Turkana Boy found near Lake Turkana in 1984, believed to be 1.6 million years old, as evidence of Kenya’s unique place in global history.Migration coverage, Ruto said Kenya’s role as the cradle of humankind makes every visit more than a trip, it is a return to where human history began.

“The most important aspect of this land is that people don't just visit Kenya, they come back to Kenya. This is the home of humankind. This is the place it all started,” he said.

“When you come back to Kenya, you are coming home to reunite your spirit and your soul with the soil where humanity began. And I'm going to showcase to you next time where the earliest remains of the first man on earth are in the Republic of Kenya," Ruto added.

The President pointed to discoveries such as the Turkana Boy found near Lake Turkana in 1984, believed to be 1.6 million years old, as evidence of Kenya’s unique place in global history.

He said Kenya was building on this rich natural and cultural heritage to promote herself not only as a leading safari destination but also as a modern centre for business, leisure, and innovation.

Ruto highlighted the country’s diverse attractions — from white sandy beaches along the Indian Ocean to the snow-capped peaks of Mt Kenya and views of Mt Kilimanjaro — as part of an expanded tourism offering.

He said Kenya aims to grow its tourist arrivals to five million in the medium term by diversifying its tourism products beyond wildlife to include digital innovation, sports tourism, and conference travel.

“Our goal is to attract up to five million visitors in the medium term and ensure that every user of our tourism product leaves with a reason to return home to Kenya, the origin of humankind,” he said.

“We are an interesting destination where you can combine leisure with business. This is also the hub of innovation — where you can travel even as you sample the products of creativity and technology,” he added.

Tourism continues to play a central role in Kenya’s economy, contributing close to 10 per cent of GDP and supporting millions of livelihoods. After a major downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic, the sector has shown strong signs of recovery.

In 2023, international tourist arrivals rose to over 1.7 million, marking a 24 per cent increase from the previous year. This growth has been supported by targeted marketing campaigns, easier access to travel documents, and conservation-focused policies appealing to eco-conscious travellers.

Thursday’s global broadcast of the wildebeest migration forms part of Kenya’s wider push to reclaim its place as a top global destination, not just for its wildlife and scenery, but for its deep emotional and historical ties to humanity.