Malindi as a coastal tourism hub, starting with the airport, services and urban redevelopment.
This is the idea of the new Kenyan Minister of Tourism and former Foreign Minister, Alfred Mutua.
The minister, who is increasingly often seen in Malindi, wanted to meet with tourism entrepreneurs, association representatives and activists from the township to discuss the problems that now plague it as a tourist destination and that also negatively affect other destinations, such as Watamu, which has also experienced a boom but could benefit more if, for example, the airport were upgraded.
Although Mutua spoke extensively about this during last Saturday's meeting at Dream of Africa, we would not like to dwell too much on the issue of the international airport, because we know how many years we have been waiting for the unblocking of a situation that I would dare to call paradoxical.
Let us start with announcements of practical things: the minister has expressed his intention to purchase heavy vehicles for beach cleaning and vehicles for the tourist police to improve security.

The minister's intention, as opposed to previous administrations, is to use less funds for marketing and focus on material things, direct investments in the sector.
For example, the improvement of the lighting system and the upgrading of the electricity grid to avoid the constant blackouts, a problem that also and especially affects Watamu, which with its expansion cannot cope with the new loads.
The Ruto government official has repeatedly said that he believes in the development of tourism in the area, comforted by the numbers for the year just ended.
"If you want to sell your hotels, entrepreneurs, let me know because I will buy them for you, I am sure I will make money from them very soon," he confirmed with a joke, as reported by the media. 
"Malindi, renowned for its pristine beaches and captivating attractions, has faced challenges in recent years, with many investors, particularly of Italian origin, departing. I am resolute in my determination to restore Malindi to its former glory,.We must collaboratively work towards tangible changes in Malindi". He added.
Members of the Progress Welfare Association of Malindi (PWAM) asked the minister to focus on the environment issue. In Malindi, particularly, the issue of open dumpsites is not only about aesthetics and tourist attractiveness, but above all about the health of citizens.
Mutua, finally, hinted at a marina in Takaungu, near Kilifi, to make the county visitable through cruises as well. "I will go and visit Takaungu and see how far it is from here because we can dock ships that will visit Malindi and Watamu there," he said.
The Kilifi County tourism authorities have also announced investments to identify the region as a destination with its own uniqueness, to be enhanced and preserved.

"Tourism can only grow where there is infrastructure and security." Rest assured, all concerns will be addressed promptly, with solutions sought and implemented within the shortest time possible.
He wrote at the end of the meeting on his X profile.
As always, it will be said that these are words that have been heard over and over again for years. Something (starting with roads) has been done, but many other promises have always fallen on deaf ears, as in the striking case of the airport.
'I have a project on the Malindi airport,' Mutua demurred, 'but I don't want to talk about it now.
Just as well, let's wait for the facts this time.

(photo taken by X)