Kenya Tourism Board chief June Chepkemei announced a target of 60 per cent growth in conference tourism for the coming year.

The ambition rests on the development of new convention venues such as Bomas of Kenya, Kisumu Convention Centre and the Temple International Convention Centre on the Coast.

Bomas of Kenya is slated to host up to 10,000 delegates, while the Kisumu and Mombasa sites will each hold 5,000 and 6,000 delegates respectively.

“With Bomas of Kenya expected to accommodate 10,000 delegates, while the Kisumu and Mombasa convention facilities will accommodate 5,000 and 6,000 delegates respectively, we are confident that the MICE segment will significantly boost our visitor arrivals from next year,” she said.

The MICE segment accounted for 25 per cent of Kenya’s total tourist arrivals in 2025, attracting 643,068 visitors, against 1.2 million leisure visitors who made up 46 per cent.

Expansion plans for Jomo Kenyatta International Airport aim to lift passenger-handling capacity from roughly eight million to 20 million, enhancing connectivity for international events.

“These developments underscore Kenya's ambition to establish itself as a leading MICE destination in Africa while unlocking new investment opportunities across the wider tourism sector,” she said.

Kenya Wildlife Service chairman Joseph Lagat said the agency is providing discounts of up to 30 per cent for international organisations, corporates and event planners that hold meetings in national parks.

KWS is also promoting charter flights, cruise tourism and multi-park safari packages that include Amboseli, Tsavo East and Tsavo West.

The service is highlighting lesser-known destinations such as Meru, Marsabit, Sibiloi, Aberdare, Mwea, Saiwa Swamp, Ruma, Ndere Island and Mount Elgon.

Through Safari Kenya Live, in partnership with WildEarth, KWS is using digital platforms to showcase sites like Ruma, Sibiloi and Marsabit.

New activities being introduced include hiking, birdwatching, balloon safaris and cultural tourism.

Samburu County is offering a 50 per cent waiver on park entry fees for targeted groups, against the standard $88 fee, according to County Executive Committee Member for Tourism Raphael Lenayiarra.

“The Great North Road linking Kenya to Ethiopia is an important development that is improving accessibility to tourism destinations across Northern Kenya and opening up new opportunities for the region,” he said.