Following the surprising information {that a} group of gangs attacked cruise passengers throughout a cruise name in Mombasa, Kenya, officers have issued an indignant press assertion.
On April 3, 2025, the Kenya Coast Tourism Affiliation (KCTA), Kenya Affiliation of Resort Keepers and Caterers (KAHC), and the Kenya Affiliation of Tour Operators (KATO) held a joint press convention.
Collectively, they denounced extensively circulated protection, saying it was “sensationalized” by media.
Whereas information stories stated 50 youths in gangs had attacked and robbed cruise passengers who had been crusing with Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Symphony, the officers stated the knowledge was overblown.
As an alternative of quite a few thefts from a big group of gangs, the group stated it was two “road boys” who stole one passenger’s cellular phone.
Victor Shitakha, chairman of KCTA, stated the information stories harm Kenya’s repute and may have destructive results on the nation’s tourism. He famous that tourism contributes to 10 % of Kenya’s gross home product.
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Mombasa County Commissioner Mohamed Noor stated arrests have been made and that police are within the strategy of discovering different suspects.
“Safety measures are being strengthened throughout the Kenyan coast to make sure the protection of each guests and residents,” he stated.
He additionally reassured future cruise passengers that Mombasa is protected to go to.
“Let me reassure all our guests to all our tourism points of interest alongside the Kenyan coast of their security,” he added.
The Aftermath
The incident, which sparked outrage from each media and Kenyan authorities, occurred at Mombasa’s Pembe za Ndovu, which implies “elephant tusks” in Swahili.
The favored monument discovered on Moi Avenue options 4 elephant tusks organized within the letter “M” and commemorates the British royal household’s previous visits.
Whereas The Commonplace reported there have been 50 younger adults and children who had been stealing from the 51,044-gross-ton vessel’s passengers, police stated there have been no accidents. Native police additionally elevated their presence within the port metropolis.
Representatives from the Kenya Tourism Board, the Nationwide Police Service, and Crystal Cruises all issued a proper apology to the passengers who had been onboard the 1,169-guest vessel.
The ship was visiting throughout a name on its 25-night “Africa & Indian Ocean” voyage from Mumbai, India, to Cape City, South Africa.
The ship, which departed on March 18, 2025, was visiting Mombasa after earlier stops in Goa, India; Colombo, Sri Lanka; and the Maldives and the Seychelles.
Following the incident, the shaken cruisers continued to Zanzibar in Tanzania with out incident.
It’s going to proceed to South Africa on April 6, the place it is going to start visiting quite a few ports, together with Richards Bay, Port Elizabeth, and Mossel Bay, earlier than ending in Cape City on April 11, 2025.
Regardless of Kenya’s stern response, which claimed the nation was protected for guests, the US Division of State elevated its journey advisory following the stories.
The advisory, set at a Degree 2, which implies “train elevated warning,” highlights frequent muggings, together with these from thieves on bikes who had made a rapid escape.
The advisory states, “Purses, cellphones, and different easy-to-reach valuables are essentially the most stolen objects.”
Nonetheless, pickpockets and small thefts like these are frequent worldwide in high-trafficked areas, together with in the USA and Europe, and are usually not a fault of the African nation.
Kenya repeatedly welcomes cruises from traces comparable to Viking Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and others.
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