The frequent cases of insecurity within Kisumu City will affect tourism if the menace is not quickly addressed by the relevant authorities.
As the third largest city in Kenya, Kisumu is fast growing, with real estate business at its peak, but with the rising insecurity incidences, the town may not achieve its objective- optimum development.
For a long time the town has seen the emergence of terror groups such as, the Baghdad Boys, China Squad which have operated in major estates such as Nyalenda, Nyamasaria, Kondele and the larger Kisumu area and the police with the help of the common citizens through community policing have been able to track down the dangerous gang at some point.
But as the police struggle with these unemployed youths, other groups resurface and can be proved by the emergence of another group by the name ‘42 Brothers’ who also operates within estates, killing, raping and causing all sorts of mayhem within the city.
We should not forget that Kisumu is one of the best tourist destinations in Kenya, with the second largest fresh water lake in its environs, Kisumu attracts both local and international tourists and that can be proven by the emergence of various luxurious hotels such as Millimani Court, Royal City, Hotel Homeland just to mention but three.
It should also not be forgotten that most primary, secondary and tertiary and institution of higher learning are fond of visiting the city during their usual academic tours in every year.
The county government of Kisumu set up the Ministry of Tourism, Trade and Heritage to ensure the area remains serene for both local and international tourists and it should not be forgotten that one of the prerequisites for the tourism industry is stable security. Who will visit an area that is dangerous to his or her life?
It is obvious that the youth in Kisumu lack employment, just like it is a problem in other parts of the country, but that does not mean that robbery is the only way out. There are a lot of things that young people can involve themselves in so as to get their daily bread and I feel that forming vigilante groups is not an option among the many choices available in life.
As Kisumu strives towards development with good roads coming up, malls, real estate business let us not abandon the tourism sector, because it is one of the major contributors towards the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).