A significant presence, that of the Kenyan Cabinet Secretary of Tourism, Alfred Mutua, at the Malindi event as part of the week of Italian cuisine in the world, together with the Italian Ambassador to Kenya, Roberto Natali, which was held on Saturday evening at the Kilili Baharini Resort.
Mutua not only in his address to businessmen and residents of Malindi and Watamu reaffirmed the interest in the destination, and the contribution that the Italian tourism sector and its visitors have been making for decades, but he was confident of 'chap' (i.e., fast) improvements to make this part of the coast even more attractive.

The CS, who only joined the Department of Tourism and Wildlife last month after being transferred from the Foreign Ministry, is well acquainted with Malindi and the aspects that limit the destination's success and attendance.
In recent weeks, for example, the issue of the planned increase (indeed, even doubling) of the cost of a visa to enter the country has come up.

Mutua is completely at odds with the measure issued by the Ministry of the Interior and published in the Official Gazette, but blocked immediately afterwards by the Kenyan judiciary, pending a ruling on two petitions submitted by civil society.
'Just these days we are talking with the immigration office and reviewing their decisions,' Mutua told those present, 'I have also talked about it with the president and we want to abolish the visa for Italians and all foreigners, to entice them even more to come to this destination. And as for those who love this country like you Italians do, we would also like to find solutions for those who plan to stay here longer and simplify the process of becoming permanent residents or Kenyan citizens'.

Mutua then spoke of 'problems with national and international connections to Malindi.
The reference is not only to the long-standing issue of direct flights to the coastal hub whose airport has long had the status of an international airport but has yet to deal with runway upgrades.
"We need to ensure that people do not wait too many hours to change flights from Nairobi to Malindi, but also that there are more companies willing and facilitated to land at Malindi, even coming from the private sector."

Speaking about the airport and connections from Nairobi to be increased, the CS drew applause from the Italians present at Kilili.
"It is our intention to create a Riviera on the style of Miami, where it is not only sun and sea holidays, but also areas of fun, music and entertainment, which harmonise with relaxation and the other aspects of a modern tourist destination," Mutua said, "but to do this we need to improve our services. We already have a good response from tourists, but we can improve,' he said.
Mutua also spoke about safety and health.

"We especially look at the development of Watamu, where we want to establish a new and bigger police station. For Watamu we also appeal to the private sector to help us build a modern and efficient hospital."
Mutua revealed that he expects at least 150,000 foreigners, especially from Italy and Europe, to arrive on the Kenyan coast during the Christmas holidays.