Kenya reassures visitors after killing of safari company founder
Tourism officials in Kenya have issued a statement reassuring visitors to the country following the fatal shooting of Tristan Voorspuy, founder of luxury safari operator Offbeat Safaris.
The statement said the tourism fraternity in Kenya ‘deeply regrets to learn’ of the killing at Sosian Ranch on Sunday ‘by unknown assailants who had trespassed onto the ranch apparently with groups of herdsmen seeking grazing for their livestock’.
"On behalf of all industry stakeholders we extend our condolences and sympathy to the family of Mr Voorspuy and to the other Kenyan farmers and ranch employees who have been caught up in the conflict over pasture in the affected area in recent weeks," it said.
"Sosian Ranch is one of the private ranches in northern Laikipia hosting a vibrant population of wildlife. During this year’s drought-like conditions, they are one of seven ranches that have been invaded by hungry livestock and pastoralists."
It said following the incident, it wanted to clarify the incident took place in a 24,000-acre private ranch dedicated to cattle ranching and tourism in the Laikipia area of northern Kenya, 240 kilometres from Nairobi.
It stressed that no tourists were involved in the incident and there were no tourists staying on the ranch at the time.
"The present unrest and insecurity are restricted to a few localities and a small number of ranches and that the well-known wildlife conservancies and tourism facilities in the rest of Laikipia are not affected and remain calm and peaceful," said the statement.
Tourism officials reassured visitors that Kenya covers an area of around 582,650 square kilometres, roughly the size of France.
"Tourism activity continues as normal in most of Laikipia and throughout the rest of the country with holidaymakers currently on safari in the country’s national parks and visiting its popular coastal resorts," it said.
"The tourism industry continues to maintain very close contact with the stakeholders in Laikipia and a fact finding trip to Laikipia was earlier carried out by Kenya Tourism Board and Kenya Tourism Federation industry executives to assess the situation on the ground.
"We fully support the investigations being carried out by the police and other relevant ‘authorities to bring the perpetrators of these lawless acts to justice," it added.
"We believe that the Government of Kenya will be giving the highest priority to restoring law and order for all the people in the affected area so that they can enjoy the normal peace and security found throughout the rest of Laikipia county."
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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