Malindi hotel workers trained in harassment at the workplace. Photo by Ben Okweingoti 
By Ben Okweingoti.
Tourism stakeholders in Kilifi County have rolled out a countywide campaign aimed at combating harassment of hotel employees, following revelations that more than 90 per cent of hospitality workers in the region have experienced various forms of workplace abuse.
The campaign comes amid growing concern over widespread gender-based violence (GBV), digital abuse and sextortion within the hospitality industry—vices that stakeholders say have severely undermined employee welfare, morale and productivity.
The initiative is being spearheaded by the Kenya Union of Domestic, Hotels, Educational Institutions, Hospitals and Allied Workers (KUDHEIHA) in partnership with the Kenya Association of Women in Tourism (KAWT), Kilifi Chapter. The two organisations are conducting training programmes for hotel employees and management to raise awareness on harassment, workers’ rights and the need for safe work environments.
According to the partners, nine out of every ten women working in the hospitality sector have been sexually harassed at the workplace.
KUDHEIHA official Mrs Wanjiku Gathogo said the trainings will be rolled out across hotels in the county to ensure employees understand their rights and the channels available for reporting abuse.
“We have realised that many hospitality workers experience sexual and gender-based violence but fail to report because they do not know where to channel their complaints,” Ms Gathogo said. “However, the new generation of employees has become more vocal and willing to speak out.”
She noted that harassment often goes unrecognised in the hospitality sector due to blurred boundaries between entertainment and professional conduct.
“The industry operates on the notion that the customer is always right. This makes it extremely difficult for employees to report abuse, especially when the perpetrator is a paying guest,” she said. “In the name of entertainment, boundaries are crossed and workers’ rights are compromised.”
KAWT Kilifi Chapter Member Kate Mwikali said more than 100 employees from selected hotels in Malindi town have already been trained and will serve as ambassadors within their workplaces.
“As KAWT, we partnered with KUDHEIHA to train hotel workers on sexual and gender-based violence because many staff leave their jobs due to harassment that is never reported,” Ms Mwikali said. “Shockingly, most hotels lack clear policies addressing SGBV.”
She added that the initiative seeks to go beyond legal compliance to foster a cultural shift within the industry.
“We are advocating for a culture where, whether or not laws exist, people do the right thing by ensuring safe environments for both employees and guests,” she said.
Hoteliers have also welcomed the campaign. Diamonds Hotels Malindi General Manager Jorge Ducoing, whose establishment hosted one of the training sessions, said the hotel is committed to protecting staff and guests from harassment.
“It is very important to educate employees about sexual harassment and appropriate workplace behaviour,” Mr Ducoing said. “This applies equally to our guests. Everyone must understand how to conduct themselves.”
Stakeholders say the campaign is a critical step towards restoring professionalism, dignity and safety in Kilifi’s tourism sector, which remains a key pillar of the county’s economy.
