Several tour guides and drivers have accused the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA) for trying to block the registration of their union.
The drivers and guides wanted to register the Safari Guides Professional Association of Kenya (SGPAK).
They have written to Tourism PS Joe Okudo saying TRA is frustrating them.
They have also copied the letter to TRA itself.
In the letter, they have complained of inactiveness by officials at TRA to issue their association with a letter of no objection to the registrar of Societies to facilitate their registration.
“TRA is creating unnecessary demands. Anthony Lubanga the chief tourism regulatory officer asked us to hand them a copy minutes for the Annual General Meeting (AGM) minutes yet we are not registered. He made us write a strategic plan which they later rubbished as incompetent in our presence,” the drivers led by their Chairperson Willis Sande said.
They also said that TRA is demanding that they have a website and social media pages (sgpak.org) while they have blocked issuance of their registration certificate through a memo to the registrar of societies.
“Fred Omondi, the director of standards and quality at TRA invited us to an all guides consultative
Meeting on the 21st of March and later denied us entry on grounds that we are not registered yet he is the one delaying our registration,” they said.
They said Omondi told them to their face that their Association will never be registered and that he will use his office to ensure it is not.
“We strongly feel he has vested interests which he feels will be threatened by formation of a strong, robust and professional Safari guides association,” Sande said.
They said TRAs move is inconsistent with the fundamental rights and freedom of association enshrined in the Constitution.
“We appeal for your intervention in having our association registered as it will aid in the identification and recognition of unregistered practicing guides (who don’t have a file with TRA) in our Membership,” they said.
They said by registering the drivers and tour guides, they will get a chance to enroll for the ongoing crash course for practicing guides which TRA has demanded.
The letter said the guides and drivers will be able to be issued with PSV/TSV badges to enable them discharge their duties accordingly as the tourism sector heads into the high season.
“Failure to register us will lead to a crisis since there will be a shortage of certified Tour guides,” the letter reads.
The drivers and tour guides said that currently, thousands of guides have expired PSV/TSV badges which haven’t been renewed.
They said TRA has advised the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) not to renew them until they get clearance.
For one to get PSV/TSV, one needs an association membership which their members can’t get as hurdles have been placed on their way.
Speaking to Hot News on phone, Anthony Lubanga said he is not the man in charge of the registration.
“I do not just do it. It’s the work of the Director General. When they came here, I gave them a list of requirements and I think that infuriated them,” he said.
He added that they want to be professionals yet some of them do not have TRA licenses and have never attended any Hospitality class.
“But some have experience and that is appreciated” he said.
Lubanga said he has no interest in their organization and that he felt bad being accused of what he has not done.