Barely three months after he handed-over power to President Muhammadu
Buhari, ex-President Goodluck Jonathan has continued to keep mum on public
matters.
Jonathan who, Weekend, visited Kenya’s Maasai Mara Games Reserve on a
chartered plane with his wife, Patience and two children was reported by
the Kenyan media to have refused to speak to journalists on arriving the
Games Reserve.
He is at the reserve for a three-day tour to witness the wildebeest
migration. Jonathan was booked at the new Angama Mara Lodge at the
Oloololo conservancy.
The ex-president was received by Narok Governor Samuel Tunai. Tunai, who
is also the Council of Governors tourism committee chairman, said more
than 500,000 tourists from all over the world are expected to witness the
spectacular crossing of wildebeest across the crocodile-infested Mara
River.
According to Kenya media, Jonathan is the second dignitary to visit the
reserve in less than a fortnight after the King of Swasiland, Mswati III.
The king was booked in the same lodge six days ago.
The owner of the hotel, Nicky Fitzgerald, said this tourism peak season is
different from the past as prominent personalities from across the world
have been calling for bookings.
“We have received Mr Jonathan, King Mswati III, a Chinese prominent family
and we are expecting other royalties,” said Ms Fitzgerald.
Ms Fitzgerald said United States (U.S.) President Barrack Obama’s visit
last month was a boost for tourism in Kenya.
The trooping in of world leaders to Kenya is expected to boost the tourism
sector, which is recovering from travel advisories.
Britain has withdrawn travel advisories against Kenya and America is
expected to follow suit. “Starting of direct flights between Kenya and the
U.S. as Obama promised would really promote trade and tourism,”
said Ms Fitzgerald.