County government of Meru Tourism & Sports Departments, partners with Mt. Kenya Off-roaders in a two-day 4×4 Lake Ellis Adventure and Camping challenge aimed at promoting mountain tourism in Meru.

Meru County CEC Sports and Tourism, Koome Miriti and Maingi Mugambi respectively, who flagged off the challenge to lake Ellis through Themwe route, advocated for Governor Kiraitu’s rich plans to promote tourism through mountain run and motor sporting activities as a source of revenue to the county and talent development. They highlighted on partnerships that have since enhanced actualization of governor Kiraitu’s mountain tourism dream.

The two who were also accompanied by Tourism Chief Officer, Titus Murungi and Director, Dennis Kinori, stated the need to rename the lakes, which have foreign identity, with the names that will reclaim and show the beauty of Meru County’s culture and heritage.
Mt. Kenya Off-roaders Patron, Mwenda Gichuru, said the event brought together off-roaders from Meru, Kisumu, Nandi, Eldoret, Mombasa, Bungoma and Nairobi counties and other parts of the country, to show abilities in managing tough terrains.The next 4 × 4 challenge according to Gichuru,is scheduled for Igombe in order to promote tourism in northern region of Meru. Igombe is majorly known for attracting Italian tourists.
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#OffRoadChallenge

Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi has welcomed the world to the beautiful view of Lake Ellis in Mt.Kenya. Speaking at the site, the legislator has confirmed that the 25-kilometer Theemwe route in Imenti South has officially been opened and is now passable to access the lake.

In collaboration with KWS, the governor says his government will work hand in hand to set a magnificent picnic site to attract more tourists.

While at Lake Ellis, you can take a hike around the lake on the clear footpath, or just sit at camp and enjoy the unspoiled beauty that will have engulfed you. Clouds may cover your night sky in the early evening. But as the night progresses, they will most likely clear for amazing views of the Milky Way. The little heat the day might have held quickly gives way to temperatures that will call for extra firewood at the campfire.

Kiraitu is delivering on the Promise to Promote tourism in the County by opening and exploiting the huge potential of Mt. Kenya to become a key contributor in the achievement of the vision of Making Meru Great.

Accompanied by the Chairman of Kenya Forest Service (KFS) Mr. Peter Kinyua, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy CEO Mike Watson and County Minister for Tourism Maingi Mugambi, Meru Deputy Governor Hon. Titus Ntuchiu yersterday received the technical report prepared by experts and scientists from KWS and KFS on establishment of Meru Mt. Kenya Mountain Bongo and Rhino Sanctuary, on behalf of the Governor, H.E. Kiraitu Murungi.

The two species were historically found in Mt. Kenya but have since become extinct and endangered which has drastically affected tourism in Meru by reducing flow of tourists in the County. Governor Kiraitu’s administration aims to remedy this by establishing the sanctuary and reintroducing them to their original natural habitat.

“As a government we are very thankful to Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, KWS, KFS and all other partners who have joined us towards achievement of this objective which will greatly help to boost tourism and improve the economy of our County,” said the Deputy Governor.

Hon. Ntuchiu noted that when they took over leadership, they intended to identify unexploited high economic potential areas and resources of the County which can optimally be utilized to achieve the vision of Making Meru Great.

“One such dormant high potential resource is the tourism capacity of Mt. Kenya, Meru National Park and other areas including private entities such as the Lewa Wildlife Conservancy,” he added.

Last year the County organized the inaugural Mt. Kenya Run held at Kenya School of Adventure and Leadership (KESAL), Ntirimiti in Buuri Sub County, which was a great success nationally and earned a slot in the Athletics Kenya (AK) annual calendar of events. This was in addition to Governor Kiraitu’s efforts to further open Mt. Kenya where his administration spent over Sh20 million to open a 22km road to Lake Ellis tourism facility at 13,000ft a.s.l. through Themwe in South Imenti.

One of the objectives of the Meru Mt. Kenya Run event was to promote conservation by establishment of the Mountain Bongo and Rhino Sanctuary whose report was received today.

The Deputy Governor also said the County Government is laying down plans to expand occupancy and accommodation by putting up a 5-Star Hotel and other facilities at Meru National Park which until now has not yet been exploited due to low bed capacity, despite that the park is same size and has same tourism products as Masai Mara which is among the best and most profitable tourist facilities in the country.
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#MakingMeruGreat