In a resounding endorsement of Western Kenya’s growing influence in the national tourism map, Kisumu’s own Thomas Ouko has been bestowed with Kenya’s highest tourism honour, the National Tourism Lifetime Achiever Award, at the Kenya Tourism Excellence Awards 2025, held at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) and hosted by the Tourism Regulatory Authority (TRA).

The prestigious award, presented in a glittering ceremony attended by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa, diplomats, agency heads, legislators and sector leaders, celebrates Ouko’s two-decade legacy of shaping Kenya’s tourism vision, policy and sustainability agenda.

For Kisumu County, the recognition carries immense symbolic weight, affirming its emergence as a vibrant tourism frontier and gateway to Western Kenya’s cultural, sports and eco-tourism renaissance.

Ouko, who currently serves in the Kisumu County Government’s Directorate of Tourism, has been pivotal in positioning the region as a competitive, inclusive and investment-ready destination.

With over 20 years of distinguished service, Ouko’s influence has stretched from county corridors to national and continental platforms.

His roles have included Acting Director of Tourism and Industry, Chief Officer for Tourism, Sports, Culture and Arts and National Coordinator of the 47 County Tourism Directors, where he helped strengthen inter-county collaboration and promote regional tourism circuits.

Beyond public service, Ouko has championed community-based tourism, heritage conservation and public-private partnerships through his work with KECOBAT, UCOTA, UNESCO, UN-Habitat and the FK-Norway Programme, among others on initiatives that have transformed tourism into a vehicle for community empowerment and cultural preservation.

The TRA hailed him for “leadership, integrity, innovation and enduring contribution to sustainable tourism and mentorship,” marking him as one of the country’s most respected tourism minds.

Accepting the award, Ouko reflected with humility and pride.

“This honour represents not just my personal journey but the collective spirit of all those who have worked tirelessly to elevate Kenya’s tourism. Our greatness lies not only in our destinations, but in the people who champion them.”

Launched this year, the Tourism Excellence Awards Kenya Scheme aims to reward quality, innovation and sustainability in line with UNWTO standards and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ouko’s national recognition now reinforces Kisumu’s standing as Western Kenya’s tourism nerve centre, a city where policy, innovation and cultural identity converge to redefine Kenya’s travel experience.

His journey stands as both a personal triumph and a milestone in the region’s transformation into a world-class tourism destination.