CS Rebecca Miano

When Rebecca Miano took the reins as Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife in July 2024, few anticipated just how rapidly and boldly she would reshape Kenya’s travel and conservation narrative. In under a year, she has emerged as a transformational figure—revitalizing a sector recovering from global disruptions and steering it toward sustainable, inclusive, and resilient growth. With a sharp strategic vision and hands-on leadership, Miano is redefining how the world experiences Kenya.

Under her stewardship, tourism earnings have soared—from KSh 452.2 billion in 2023 to a projected KSh 650 billion by the end of 2025. This 44% surge solidifies tourism’s place as a key pillar of the economy, rivaling long-time leaders like tea exports and diaspora remittances.

Miano has also prioritized product diversification and regional inclusivity. In October 2024, she launched nine regional tourism circuits across Kenya to promote unique local experiences—ranging from cultural festivals like Turkana and Maa, to wellness, adventure, sports, and farm tourism. These efforts complement the revived Tembea Kenya campaign, which aims to grow domestic tourism from 2.1 million to 5 million annual visitors by 2027, with revenues projected to reach KSh 824 billion.

Her impact extends to wildlife conservation. Miano oversaw the strategic relocation of over 50 elephants from the Mwea Reserve to Aberdare National Park to reduce human-wildlife conflict. She also reinforced Kenya’s pioneering role in saving the northern white rhino through in-vitro breeding efforts at Ol Pejeta Conservancy. Her swift interventions—such as addressing hyena attacks in Juja and bolstering security in Lamu—demonstrate her active, problem-solving approach.

Institutional strengthening has been another hallmark of her leadership. The Ministry’s 2023–2027 strategic plan—“Transforming Tourism and Wildlife for Sustainability, Resilience, and Inclusivity”—charts a clear roadmap for sectoral reform. Key initiatives include the creation of a Youth Innovation Hub, a national convention bureau to tap into the MICE market, digitization of park payments via an e-wallet system, and scholarship support for hospitality students.

From boosting revenues to enhancing conservation and rebranding Kenya’s tourism experience, Rebecca Miano is leaving an indelible mark. Her bold leadership is not just transforming a ministry—it’s reshaping the future of travel and wildlife in Kenya.

The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has launched a global call to wildlife enthusiasts to witness a rare natural marvel in 2025 — the “Twin Migration,” a breathtaking convergence of two of the world’s most spectacular wildlife events.

In a statement issued by Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, said the opportunity gives visitors a rare chance to observe both the Great Wildebeest Migration in the Masai Mara and the Humpback Whale Migration along the Indian Ocean coast within the same travel window.

“Nowhere else in the world can you experience the thundering hooves of millions of wildebeest and, in the same season, the graceful breaching of whales off a sunlit coastline,” said Miano. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and an invitation to rediscover the wonder of Magical Kenya.”

The Great Migration, widely considered the most dramatic wildlife event on land, sees over 1.5 million wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles journey from Tanzania’s Serengeti into Kenya’s Masai Mara from July to October. This natural movement, driven by instinct and survival, unfolds against a backdrop of predators and peril, creating a compelling spectacle for tourists, filmmakers, and researchers alike.

At the same time, hundreds of humpback whales travel thousands of kilometers from the icy waters of Antarctica to breed and calve in the warm, shallow seas off Kenya’s coast. Watamu and Diani are prime viewing areas for this marine spectacle, especially between July and September.

In addition to the twin migrations, visitors are encouraged to explore the Arabuko Sokoke Forest — the largest coastal forest in East Africa — and photograph Kenya’s “Small Five”: the Rhinoceros Beetle, Elephant Shrew, Ant Lion, Leopard Tortoise, and Buffalo Weaver. Together, the savannah, sea, and forest offer a trio of interconnected ecological experiences.

Adding depth to the campaign, the ministry has linked 2025’s significance to global themes. The United Nations has declared the year as the International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation, Peace and Trust, Quantum Science and Cooperatives.

“With this unique alignment of nature and meaning, we are proud to offer a tourism experience that is as intellectually rich as it is emotionally stirring,” said Miano.