Tourism and Wildlife Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano has urged tourists to explore white water rafting adventures in the country.

Whitewater rafting refers to recreational outdoor activities that use an inflatable raft to navigate a river or other body of water.

In a statement on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, Miano stated that the call is part of the government’s intervention to diversify the tourism sector in the country.

“We encourage travellers to immerse themselves in this exciting fitness and well-being venture as they interact with our divergent experiences,” she said.

Furthermore, she stated that the government is keen and committed to expanding adventure and sports tourism to position Kenya as a continental leader in this highly sought-after and fast-growing niche.

Her remarks came after she attended the first-ever African White-Water Rafting Championship in Murang’a County, which saw participants from eleven African countries, including Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Burundi, Morocco, Sudan, and the DRC.

She stated that the Championship reaffirms the growing regional unity and shared vision within Africa’s rafting community, as well as the continent’s increasing demand for more tourism products.

“Recently, joined by Governor Irungu Kangata, I  witnessed a historic moment as we officiated the first-ever African White-Water Rafting Championship hosted in Kenya by Muranga County,” she added.

The championships

Speaking when she presided over the event in Muranga on Friday, July 18, 2025, Miano underscored the government’s strong commitment to expanding adventure and sports tourism.

“This is not just a sporting event; it marks a new chapter for rafting and adventure tourism in Kenya and across Africa,” she said.

She emphasised 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. It has the potential to create jobs, attract investment, and put Kenya on the global adventure tourism map.”

Recognising 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.