Tourism Principal Secretary nominee John Ololtua. [File, Standard]

Tourism Principal Secretary nominee John Ololtua has thanked President William Ruto for giving him an opportunity to serve in his government.

Speaking to The Standard after receiving the news, Ololtua who served as the Rift Valley Regional Education Director before resigning to contest for the Kilgoris Constituency Seat in the recent election, termed the appointment "a big honour to the Maasai community".

Ololtua who contested for the Parliamentary seat using the United Democratic Alliance Party ticket and lost to Julius Sunkuli thanked the President for having considered him for the slot whose key role is to market Kenya as a world-class tourism destination.

"I am deeply honoured by President William Ruto for having considered me to serve in his government as the Principal Secretary in charge of Tourism, I will definitely make sure that I perform my responsibilities to the best of my abilities," said Ololtua.

He said that coming from a community hosting the world-famous Maasai Mara Game Reserve and Amboseli National Park he has a role to ensure that the Tourism Industry is supported to benefit local communities and the nation at large.

Ololtua said that he had served the nation as an educationist for many years in various parts of the country and that he has realised that most parts of the country have something that can attract tourists which needs to be promoted.

"It would be my role to promote Tourism activities in various parts of the country as soon as I assume my role as the Principal Secretary once approved by Parliament and promise to work closely with my Cabinet Secretary to achieve our ministry goals," said Ololtua.