Photos: Thousands throng Mama Ngina Waterfront in World Tourism Day celebrations

Thousands of Kenyans shelved coronavirus-spread fears to hob-nob freely at the Mama Ngina Waterfront in Mombasa on Sunday as Kenya marked the International World Tourism Day.

The event attracted a smattering of leaders led by Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho, Mishi Mboko (Likoni) , Badi Twali (Jomvu) and Mombasa Senator Mohamed Faki.

Also in attendance were Kenyan artists, street-food vendors and thrill-seekers happy to be in a public gathering for the first time since March.

The Tourism sector stakeholders implored President Uhuru Kenyatta to lift COVID-19 restrictions and allow Kenya to return to the norm.

They expressed optimism with the number of people who thronged the event, saying it is time that the tourism business resumes.

President Kenyatta is expected to make the 12th address on the COVID-19 situation in the country on Tuesday.

Among the slew of issues that Kenyans expect to be addressed is the re-opening of School in October, the daily dusk-to-dawn curfew and the closure of bars and pubs.

See some photos from the event: