Hoteliers and tourism stakeholders in Diani Kwale County have urged political supporters from both Azimio and Kenya kwanza coalitions to maintain peace as they await for the Supreme Court verdict in a petition case filed yesterday against presidential results.

Speaking in Diani during an interview, Kioko Musyoki Leopard Beach resort General Manager said that when supporters maintain peace it creates an opportunity for tourism industry to pick up. “We are happy that the campaigns and elections were peaceful and Kenyans maintained peace even after the results were out therefore now that Azimio has filed a petition against the presidential results we urge the supporters to remain calm and wait for the court conclusion,” he said. Musyoki also said that during the campaigns most hotels were running at a 50 per cent rate because the campaigns were being conducted in a peaceful way. Richard Onsongo, the chair Kwale county Bar Owners Association also noted that campaigns and election period boosted their businesses.

“The only major problem we have with Bars and Pubs in Diani tourist town are officers from the many government regulatories like KRA, tourism regulatories, music copyright, police who keep on invading our businesses for taxes.”