Cruise ship MV Crystal Symphony PHOTO/UGC.
The daylight robbery in which, a gang of over 50 youths accosted cruise passengers, snatching valuables from them that took place at the well-known Pembe za Ndovu on Moi Avenue, has sent shockwaves through Kenya’s tourism sector and left a gaping hole in the trust that tourists place in the safety of our shores.
The assault on tourists who had arrived aboard MV Crystal Symphony was not just a robbery; it was a profound breach of trust, leading to the immediate cancellation of these tourists’ visits to the port city.
In the wake of the attack, the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) and the National Police Service (NPS) scrambled to apologise to the shaken passengers, assuring them that no one had been physically harmed. But the damage had already been done.
The cruise tourists—1,169 of them—returned to their ship, cancelling plans to explore the Old Town, leaving behind not just a bad experience, but a lasting scar on the image of Mombasa, and by extension, Kenya.
But the question that begs for answers is: where were the Tourist Police when this crime unfolded? Mombasa, one of Kenya’s top tourist destinations, should have been a fortress of safety for those who choose to experience its coastal charm.
Yet, on this occasion, the very security forces meant to protect tourists failed to act in time to prevent or stop the attack. The security situation in Mombasa has long been a concern, with machete-wielding gangs terrorising not just locals but also traders and visitors. This attack is the latest—and most alarming—example of this escalating lawlessness.
What’s more troubling is that the KTB and the NPS, in their hasty response to the incident, failed to address a glaring oversight: what action has been taken against the Kenya Police command in Mombasa? How is it that such a large gang could operate so openly and with such impunity, undeterred by the police presence?
While arrests of over 200 suspects were reportedly made in the wake of this incident, it’s clear that the system is broken if such crimes are still allowed to occur in broad daylight. The question must be asked of the authorities: Why was this breach allowed to happen, and what will be done to ensure it never happens again?
The consequences of this incident extend far beyond the immediate shock and inconvenience faced by the cruise passengers. This is not just a blow to Mombasa; it is a blow to the entire Kenyan tourism industry.
The country’s tourism sector has already been battling challenges in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and a series of political uncertainties. Kenya had been relying on tourism to regain some of its lost ground, and the cruise ship industry had been a promising lifeline. However, this robbery has cast a long shadow over the sector’s future.
Tourists from across the world choose to visit Mombasa not just for its sun-kissed beaches but for the promise of cultural richness and historical exploration.
Tourists inside the MV Crystal Symphony PHOTO/UGC.
When such an attack occurs, it sends a powerful message: Kenya is not safe for visitors. While the authorities may try to downplay the incident by offering assurances, the damage has already been done—confidence in the safety of Kenya as a destination has been shaken.
What is now required is urgent and transparent damage control. The immediate response must go beyond platitudes and promises. There must be an overhaul of the security apparatus responsible for tourist protection in Mombasa.
The presence of Tourist Police needs to be reinforced, with a clear mandate and visible presence in key tourist areas. Equally important is a comprehensive review of the performance of the local police command and an investigation into why such an attack could happen in such a well-known tourist district.
The public deserves to know what is being done to address the deep-rooted issues of crime in the region and whether any heads will roll in the police force.
Furthermore, Kenya’s tourism stakeholders must come together to launch a sustained campaign to rebuild trust in the country’s tourism sector. Investments in security, tourism infrastructure, and public relations must be prioritised, and every effort made to reassure visitors that their safety is paramount. Tourists must not be allowed to feel like they are gambling with their lives when they choose to visit Kenya.
This robbery, however shocking, must be a turning point—a call to action for all involved in the tourism and security sectors to get their act together. The world is watching, and the time to restore Kenya’s reputation as a premier tourist destination is now.
Will the authorities rise to the challenge, or will Mombasa become yet another cautionary tale in the story of a tourism sector that failed to live up to its potential?
The answer to that question will determine whether Kenya can rise again as a top tourist destination or whether it will fade into the background, a cautionary tale of what happens when security is compromised.
The ball is in the authorities’ court. The question is: will they act, or will this be yet another missed opportunity to safeguard Kenya’s tourism future?
