Delegates from the National Government and Kisumu County government have toured Luxor city in Egypt to attend the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) North Africa Caucus in a bid to mobilize maximum delegates to the forthcoming Africities Summit.
The Kenyan delegation led by the Devolution Cabinet Secretary (CS) Charles Keter augments the efforts by the State to attend the regional caucuses to woo foreign investors to the country.
In a press statement sent to newsrooms, CS Keter in his address to the caucus on Monday assured the UCLGA of Kenya’s readiness and preparedness to host the 9th edition of the Africities Summit to be held from 17th to 21st May 2022 in Kisumu city.
“The commitment of delivering a successful summit next year is the major focus of the President of the Republic of Kenya as we wade through the difficult stage of coronavirus pandemic,” said CS Keter.
Governor Prof. Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o who also addressed the North Africa caucus, used the platform to mobilize the delegates from the five regions of UCLGA across Africa to attend the upcoming Africities convention.
The high-level summit will offer the country an opportunity to showcase its successes in economic and political decentralization as well as the vast investment opportunities which could be exploited by both local and foreign businessmen.
Nyong’o said that Kisumu city with the support of the national government had put forth planning strategies to deliver the most memorable summit ever held.
“We have made tremendous progress in our preparation journey despite the hiccups caused by Covid 19 pandemic. I assure you that the Government of Kenya and Kisumu City are ready for a summit that will go on record as the most memorable Africities gathering,” Nyong’o affirmed.
Last month, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili led another delegation to attend the UCLGA Central Africa Caucus in Libreville, Gabon for a similar course.
According to Africities Planning Secretariat member Mr. Aloice Ager, the leadership of the host city is required to make a case at the regional caucuses to effectively mobilise delegates from all the regions for the summit.
UCLGA brings together associations of local governments from across Africa and is the franchise holder of Africities Summit held every three years. The associations are divided into five regions of Eastern, Southern, Western, Central and Northern Africa.
The continental event attracts communities and local authorities in African countries, as well as financial institutions, civil society groups and development partners at continental and international levels.
Other regional caucuses where Kenya is expected to make a case and hype the event are planned in Nairobi on 30th November to 1st December 2021 for East Africa; in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on 16th to 17th December this year for West Africa. Lastly in Pretoria, South Africa on 5th to 6th December 2021 for Southern Africa.
By Robert Ojwang’
