The Italian Government has stepped up efforts to help revamp tourism in Kilifi County by strengthening the ties between Kenya and Italy. 

Top among the efforts include an Italian musical Concert played by Kenyans and organised by the Italian Institute of Culture, that was hosted by the Italian Ambassador to Kenya Dr Roberto Natali  together with Kilifi Governor Gideon Mungaro at the Gedi Ruins new World Heritage site in Malindi Sub County.

This comes barely two months after the Italian embassy in Kenya organised the Italian week of Cuisine that showcased the rich Italian culture.

 Dr. Natali said the move was part of strengthening ties and building the bridges between Kenya and Italy.

Speaking at the Gedi Ruins World Unesco Centre, Natali said Kilifi has had a strong presence of Italians for years and they are strengthening it with culture through music.

“We want to be together here. I know that our Kenyan friends appreciate a lot of Itralians and our Italians to know that also we have wonderful musical players from Kenya who have devoted their life to study music and Italian Music and I’m so proud of them,” he said.

The Kilifi governor on his part said the concert was aimed at bringing people together and help revamp the tourism sector.

He said they lost so many Italian tourists to Zanzibar but now the national Government, county and Italian government were working hard to revamp the sector.

At the same time, Kilifi North MP Owen Baya termed the Italian Classical concert as crucial in strengthening and deepening the relations between the two countries.

He said it was also an honour to celebrate the music at the World Unesco heritage site in Gedi ruins.

Baya said he had requested the National Museums of Kenya to consider looping in the Portuguese Chapel, Malindi Museum and Vasco Da Gama PiIla to be part of World Unesco Heritage Sites.

Written by Alphonce Gari, TV47 correspondent