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The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife in conjunction with private sector players yesterday, August 2, launched a month-long photo exhibition at the National Museum of Kenya aimed at raising the awareness of Mt Kenya as a prime adventure tourism destination.

Dubbed the ‘Mt. Kenya Photography exhibition’, the expo will allow the public to interact and purchase amazing pictures of the picturesque mountain and its unique topography as well as showcase adventurers scaling the mountain’s rough terrain.

Speaking during the official launch ceremony of the exhibition, the Chief Guest, Safaricom Plc.’s CEO, Peter Ndegwa, highlighted the important role the iconic mountain plays in the wellbeing of Kenyans while insisting that it  was responsibility corporate organisations and private citizens as well to conserve this natural heritage.

In a statement sent to newsrooms Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Najib Balala highlighted the massive potential for visitors keen to visit the iconic mountain.

“The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife through the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Kenya Tourism Board and other partners have put together this exhibition so that we can arouse the interest of Kenyans and other travellers to visit this iconic landmark. Through this exhibition we shall also be raising funds geared towards improving the visitor experience for adventure lovers at the mountain,” the CS noted and emphasised the need to continue harnessing resources to improve the visitor experience and to appeal to more adventure seekers and mountain climbers.

Earlier in May this year, CS Balala alongside KWS Director General Brigadier (Rtd) John Waweru led a team in an expedition up the mountain to showcase the exciting potential of this gem. The expedition raised over Sh10million and the proceeds are already being ploughed back to, among other things, improve nature trails, develop sanitation facilities and hiking trails. The exhibition is a continuation of the exercise to raise more funds and make the mountain a prime spot for adventure tourism activities and hiking.

Present at the launch were members who formed the team, including Vipingo Ridge Chairman and veteran rally driver, Alastair Cavenagh, who wondered why the mountain had been empty despite its potential. Looking back, the Managing Director of M-PESA Africa and acting Chief Financial Services Officer at Safaricom PLC, Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, relived the beautiful memories, the camaraderie and friendship that came with the experience.

For Eva Ngigi-Sarwari, the Country Manager for Visa and member of the team, seeking solitude for a cause made the five-day hike worth it, more so from the bonds that were built and gorgeous findings such as the Nithi Falls

KWS Director General, Brigadier (Rtd) John Waweru, in his speech read on his behalf by KWS Director for Partnership and Enterprise Edwin Wanyonyi, revealed that an ambitious plan has been put in place to address the urgent need to transform the heritage site into a popular rendezvous for fun seekers.

“We plan to enhance the experience in our adventure parks by refurbishing and upgrading the visitor facilities. Some of the other experiences we want to improve include; sport fishing, camping, cave exploration, cultural and religious visits and spruce up amenities that have been a pain point for climbers who visit the mountain for a hiking experience as well as recruit more rescuers to assure adventurers of their safety in case of challenges. I call upon adventure enthusiasts to list Mt. Kenya on their bucket list,” the DG said.

Other partners who made the expedition and exhibition a success include Huawei, East African Breweries Limited, KCB Bank and Sahihi Interior Builders

Mount Kenya is the second highest peak in Africa standing at 5,199metres and is one of the key adventure tourism destinations in the continent. Some of the known attractions at the mountain include the three peaks namely Lenana, Nelion and Batian, over 30 tarns and lakes which include Alice, Michaelson, Ellis and the diverse vegetation and wildlife.

Mt. Kenya National Park and Reserve occupies an area of 2,839 square kilometres. This enormous land mass requires adequate coverage by mountain search and rescue teams.

There are three main climbing routes to access the peak of the Mt. Kenya.

These routes require KWS surveillance so as to address litter management, respond to emergencies, facilitate visitors’ accommodation, protect KWS equipment on the mountain high altitude zones and collect daily weather data for onward transmission to the park headquarters.