Hotels in Naivasha are working with a lean staff after laying off employees due to slow business.
Proprietors attributed the business slump to the recent general election and the petition against the election of President-elect Uhuru Kenyatta that was filed by the Coalition for Reforms and Democracy (Cord).
“The political uncertainty in the country is surely having repercussions on the hotel industry,” said Masada Hotel general manager Robert Wachira.
He said the hotel had been forced to temporarily lay off more that 33 casual employees to stay afloat.
He said the hotel had been forced to temporarily lay off more that 33 casual employees to stay afloat.
He said several foreign tourists have made bookings but were yet to make confirmations, with a number of them citing the pending court case.
“The political atmosphere is yet to stabilise making foreign visitors jittery. We are keeping our fingers closed,’’ said Mr Wachira.
Green Park hotel general manager Gregory Wabuge said most employees were yet to resume work. “The business is bad with no bookings. At times we make do with three bookings impacting negatively on the hotels’ fortunes,” Mr Wabuge said.
Last week, however, the hotel got a break with 32 domestic visitors checking in. Mr Wabuge said visitors were making tentative reservations with no confirmations.
Suffering from the post-election uncertainties also are boat operators in Lake Naivasha. “Although this is not normally a busy season, we nevertheless receive visitors. Now we are not doing any business at all,” said Samuel Waraga a boat owner.
However, Wild Nature Big Five Safaris director Ali Mohamed Musa said there is more interest in visits following the peaceful poll.
-Business Daily
