Tourism CS Nominee Rebecca Miano Pledges to Revamp Airbnb Sector

Tourism Cabinet Secretary nominee Rebecca Miano has vowed to transform the Airbnb sector if approved, citing the need for significant improvements to catch up with global standards.

During her vetting by the Committee on Appointments at Parliament on Saturday, Miano noted that Kenya’s Airbnb sector is lagging behind other countries. “When I look at the Airbnb sector, it’s clear that we are falling behind both regionally and globally. We are trying to address and navigate various issues that have arisen,” she said.

Miano pledged that, if confirmed, she will prioritize this area, working closely with other government agencies and ministries involved. “I will ensure that we develop and finalize the necessary strategies, regulations, and legislative policies to clean up and regulate the sector effectively,” she added.

She emphasized that the current state of the Airbnb industry is problematic, leading to security concerns and operational issues. “The rapid growth of the industry has led to some issues being overlooked,” she said.

Miano is the third nominee to appear before the Committee on Appointments for the day. Her commitment comes amid recent troubling events in the Airbnb sector. At the start of 2024, there were two high-profile cases of violence linked to Airbnb properties in Nairobi.

In January, a 24-year-old woman was found murdered and stuffed in a paper bag in an apartment along TRM Drive. This incident followed closely on the heels of another murder involving socialite Wahu Mwangi, whose body was discovered in an Airbnb in South B, Nairobi. The suspect was seen with Mwangi entering the Airbnb on January 3.

Miano’s proposed reforms aim to address these safety concerns and improve the overall management of the Airbnb sector in Kenya.