Kenya to showcase camel racing

Kenya plans to use a camel derby festival to showcase the country's tourism, said authorities.

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) said it will use the Samburu Maralal Camel Derby, to be held Aug 30-Sep 1, to diversify its tourism offerings, which usually include traditional beach and wildlife games, reported Xinhua.

"This is one of the key events we are leveraging on to open up the country's northern tourism circuit in line with our tourism diversification strategy," KTB Managing Director Murithi Ndegwa said Thursday.

"Apart from showcasing the culture, the region is known for spectacular sceneries, unique wildlife species, heritage and other attractions," said Ndegwa.

Last year, the annual event attracted a considerable number of domestic and regional participants as well as those from the US, Britain, Germany, Netherlands, India, Ghana, France, South Africa, Brazil, China and Poland.

The derby will also showcase cultural activities.

Samburu county governor Moses Kasaine Lenolkulal said the county is partnering with KTB and other sponsors to boost the profile of the sporting event that has been attracting both local and international participation.

"This event is meant to pull the crowd and sports enthusiasts to the northern part of the country which has a number of unexplored tourism attractions. As Samburu county, we shall aggressively market this circuit with the help of KTB," Lenolkulal said.