Led by Kenya Tourists Drivers and Guides Association chairman Joseph ole Parpai, vice-chairman Andrew Mungatana and Coast Tours Drivers Association chairman Nzomo Benjamin they said tour drivers are honest.

They were reacting to media reports by British tourist Cherly Muvula who alleged that they have been exploiting the Maasai villagers by taking their money. "We are wondering where the tourist got the report yet our drivers and guides have been executing their duties effectively," Mungatana said. They threatened to file a defamation case against the tourist for terming them as "robbers."

Mungatana said they want the Briton to prove her allegations in court after she posted the remarks on internet and appeared in a section of the media.

"We cannot allow a tourist who, instead of touring the country to see beautiful sceneries, is calling us thieves," Mungatana said.

Parpai demanded to know what they have forcefully taken from the Maasai community. "If there is any complain, the tourist should have followed the right channel rather than going to social media. This has tarnished the sensitive tourism sector," Parpai said.

He said Maasai elders have never complained of such exploitation and wants to know the source of the information. "She has been colluding with a former tour guide in Maasai Mara to tarnish our tourism industry," Nzomo said.

He urged the government to investigate her conduct claiming that she is out to kill the tourism industry which is one of the country's leading sources of income. "The tourist tried to introduce the receipting system in the manyattas but she was shocked when her bid flopped. The Maasai community wants to handle the cash directly," he said.