Maasai Mara, 17th May 2008 …Kenya Airways joined hands with three of Kenya’s leading Business Associations in a dramatic public gesture of support for the country’s  tourism industry.

KQ staff members led by CEO Titus Naikuni joined members of The British Business Association of Kenya (BBAK), the East African Association and the American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham)  for a publicity photograph showing business leaders alongside the slogan ‘Kenya is Open for Business’.

More than 200 leaders drawn from various foreign invested firms, and the diplomatic corps  travelled  to the Mara to show their support for the initiative.

Recent political events have had a devastating economic impact on all trade sectors in Kenya.  The Tourism Sector, which in 2007 earned 65.4 billion shillings or $941 million dollars, has shouldered the greatest burden. In the beginning of the year, approximately 200,000 tourism and associated sector employees wer laid or had their salaries cut.  That means statistically, in an extended family culture with up to 10 people relying on every worker’s salary, over two million people have become economically disadvantaged overnight.

‘This exercise is proof, if any more were needed, of the strength and energy of Kenya’s private sector and its importance in creating economic growth and positive change in our country.’ Said Mr Mills from the British Business Association of Kenya.