The government has issued a warning to tourists and tour operators over the growing misuse of open-sided Land Cruisers on public roads and highways, citing serious safety concerns.
The TRA said in a statement Thursday, January 15, that it had noted with concern that some tour operators were increasingly using open-sided safari vehicles to transport tourists outside designated wildlife areas contrary to the law.
The regulator explains that open-sided Land Cruisers are licensed strictly for game viewing and photography activities within protected wildlife areas such as national parks, national reserves, and registered conservancies.
These vehicles are not designed or approved to ply on public roads and highways, the Authority said, warning their open design and limited protection features expose passengers to heightened safety risks.
The directive comes amidst reports of tourists being ferried along busy highways in open-sided vehicles, a practice the regulator says undermines both passenger safety and Kenya’s tourism standards.
To control the trend, TRA asked tourists and travel clients to desist from requesting or insisting on open-sided Land Cruisers for transfers or travels beyond areas with wildlife.
At the same time, tour operators were reminded to comply strictly with their licensing conditions by ensuring such vehicles are used exclusively within parks, reserves, and conservancies, and only for approved purposes.
“The operation of open-sided Land Cruisers on public highways constitutes non-compliance with licensing and safety requirements and may attract regulatory action in line with the Tourism Act, 2011 and applicable regulations,” the Authority cautioned.
TRA said the directive is aimed at protecting visitors, promoting responsible tourism practices and preserving the integrity and reputation of Kenya’s Safari tourism product.
What the Law Provides
Under the Tourism Act of 2011, a regulator has powers to suspend or revoke licences for operators found in breach of licensing and safety requirements. Further failure to comply may attract stiff penalties of a fine of up to KSh100,000, a jail term of up to 18 months, or even both.
The Authority has in the past proved that it will not hesitate to crack the law. In September last year, the government revoked the licenses of four tour operators in a major crackdown targeting non-compliant players.
TRA Director General Norbert Tallam said the enforcement drive, led by a multi-agency team, started in Maasai Mara and has since been extended to other major tourism circuits including Amboseli, Tsavo and the Coast. It has reiterated that compliance is not optional, with a warning to operators who will flout the rules that they stand to be shown the door through regulatory actions as government tightens oversight in the tourism sector.
