The good news is that the entire tourism sector in Watamu requested a meeting with Kilifi County Governor Gideon Mung'aro in light of the Barracuda Inn and Mbuyu Lodge fires and the various issues that have arisen as a result, and the Governor responded by attending and bringing with him his deputy, Flora Chibule, Tourism Minister Raymond Ngala and Health Minister Peter Mwarogo.
The meeting was held at the Seven Island Resort on the initiative of Roberto Lenzi with the Watamu Against Crime (WAC) association and other leading hoteliers and hospitality operators of the tourist destination, representing all the facilities that during this period provide over 1500 international tourists a week in addition to the 'do-it-yourself' holidaymakers, Kenyans or residents of Kenya, and owners or renters of houses.
"About forty people," the minutes of the meeting read, "in his introduction the Governor expressed solidarity with those who lost property and the tourists affected.  He admitted that there were problems with the emergency response team for which he apologised'. 
Mung'aro, according to some of those present, addressed key security issues and revealed that he had ordered new vehicles for the fire brigade and hospital equipment for intensive care which is expected to arrive in March.
Much was said about the situation and the development of the beach boys.
"Those who are on the beach today are not the excursion organisers and 'friends' of the tourists," explained Roberto Lenzi The various former beach boys with their particular Italian nicknames are now small businessmen. On the beach, there are still unsavoury individuals who offer less than limpid business'. But above all, these characters were responsible for the looting of the two hotels, which the governor himself described as 'unacceptable'. Security at the facilities, and even the owner of the Barracuda Inn, had to defend themselves against the attacks and were beaten up. Mung'aro called for a confrontation with the beach operators' association to discuss the sad and dangerous phenomenon.
On the other hand, with regard to the umpteenth ugly figure of the fire brigade, which had already started late and stopped 500 metres from the hotels without petrol, Mung'aro, again according to the report, said that 'the fire brigade teams will be trained, thanks to a grant from the German Embassy.  The response must be improved'. 
As far as health is concerned, the governor is discussing with the Red Cross to set up an emergency centre.  In addition, the Disaster Management Unit is to be reactivated.
On Watamu, it could be crucial to declare the locality, which has always been dependent on Malindi and Kilifi, a municipality, so that it can have its own status and services can be improved, since it is no longer the fishing village of 30 years ago.
'The hospital facilities need to be improved, it is a priority,' said Mung'aro. 'We are in contact with the Red Cross for Watamu. I have only been in office for five months, but since I have been there, there is not a hospital that is without medicine'.
There is a lot at stake and from words now it will be necessary to move on to deeds. Watamu's tourism entrepreneurs with standard bearers such as Pasquale Tiritò, Guido Bertoni and Max Cheli, for example, will play their part. Unfortunately, we always come together and travel on parallel paths with the institutions only after accidents and tragedies. Let us hope at least that this misfortune will lead to one of Kenya's top locations getting the services, security and attention it deserves.