CS Rebecca Miano Champions Adventure Tourism as She Flags Off Africa’s First Rafting Championship
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Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, has led a major milestone for Kenyan and African tourism as she officially flagged off the first-ever African White-Water Rafting Championship at the Sagana River.
Presiding over the historic event in Muranga Miano underscored the government’s strong commitment to expanding adventure and sports tourism, positioning Kenya as a continental leader in this fast-growing niche.
“This is not just a sporting event—it marks a new chapter for rafting and adventure tourism in Kenya and across Africa,” she said.
Miano highlighted that the championship aligns with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which seeks to diversify tourism and boost youth employment. She emphasized the shift from traditional tourism offerings to emerging sectors that can drive both local and international interest.
“Rafting is more than a sport; it’s a powerful economic tool,” she told the audience. “It has the potential to create jobs, attract investment, and put Kenya on the global adventure tourism map.”
Recognizing the shortage of trained rafting guides in the country, Miano announced that the government is working to expand training programs and strengthen partnerships with the private sector to grow the sport sustainably.
The championship attracted participants from 11 African countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Burundi, Morocco, Sudan, the DRC, and host Kenya. Their presence, Miano noted, reflects growing regional unity and shared vision within Africa’s rafting community.
“This event shows what Africa can achieve when we come together,” she said. “It’s a celebration of talent, teamwork, and opportunity.”
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