Kenya 's services sector , which contributes about 63 percent of GDP , is dominated by tourism . The tourism sector exhibited steady growth in most years since independence and by the late 1980s had become the country 's principal source of foreign exchange . In the late 1990s , tourism relinquished this position to tea exports because of a terrorism-related downturn . The downturn followed the 1998 bombing of the U.S Embassy in Nairobi and later negative travel advisories from Western governments . Kenya has also contributed to boosting hospitality in other countries , the Nairobi headquartered Serena Hotel is the most consistently high-rated hotel in Pakistan . Tourists , the largest number from Germany and the United Kingdom , are attracted to the coastal beaches and the game reserves , notably , the expansive Tsavo East National Park and Tsavo West National Park ( 20,808 square kilometres ) in the southeast . The government and tourist industry organisations have taken steps to address security issues and to reverse negative publicity . Such steps include establishing a tourist police and launching marketing campaigns in key tourist origin markets . In 2006 tourism generated US$ 803 million , up from US$ 699 million the previous year
bombing of the U.S Embassy in Nairobi
1998 United States embassy bombings
Economy of Kenya