Members of the Business community in Uasin Gishu County have been taken through the requisite preparations they need to observe to enable them reap big from the upcoming devolution conference (DevCon) slated for August this year at Eldoret Sports Club, in Eldoret town.
Addressing the members of the business community in Eldoret town during a visit to assess the level of preparedness by the host county, the Council of Governors (CoG) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ms. Mary Mwiti pointed out that the overall objective of the conference is to reflect on the 10 years of devolution and explore locally and internationally recognised methodologies for strengthening systems to enhance transformational service delivery in the counties.
The business community was asked to organize themselves as consortiums to provide food, accommodation and transport services at the designated places. Additionally, they were called on to provide services at the prevailing market rates so as to provide affordable accommodation to visitors who will be coming in their thousands to attend the international conference.
“You have to provide meals for the 6000 to 10000 people who will be coming in terms of breakfasts, lunches and dinners. We will have two dinners, first for the CoG chair targeting about 2000 delegates and the second one hosted by your governor targeting 1000 delegates. You need to organize yourselves properly as a consortium because nobody should be left behind,” she noted.
The CEO urged the hospitality providers to put proper measures in place to ensure their facilities are safe, clean and have sufficient capacity to provide enough accommodation for all the attendees so that they do not resort to seek the services from outside the county, and as a result, they will be able to reap big from the visitors who are expected to spend a lot on their facilities.
“You should prepare rooms for the people who will be coming here and for that reason you have to think outside the box; if you have only 2000 rooms but need space for more people, you can organize yourselves and have tents to accommodate the attendees for the four days or you open up your homesteads which will be vetted to ensure the security of the guests. Then you will be able to reap for the four days,” advised the CEO.
Mwiti confirmed that the Council of Governors’ steering committee will hold an apex meeting in Eldoret to gauge the level of preparedness of the business community. It will further conduct monthly routine visit to the county to assess the level of preparedness ahead of the international event to be held between 16th to 19th August this year.
“It is an international conference and we need you to guarantee us quality, excellent secure precise service ranging from transport, security, the market, the chamber of commerce, hotel and accommodation. You need to face-neat the hotels in terms of linen and other things to look outstandingly elegant,” she explained.
She further indicated that the service provision will be controlled by the county government through the department of trade to ensure seamless implementation and service delivery to the people.
The CEO reiterated the council’s commitment to ensure the conference benefits the local community in the host county by providing a market for their goods and services.
“We will market for you, we will onboard all the hotels on our website so that the delegates will be able to book the hotels directly and be able to engage with you on contractual basis,” said Mwiti.
In her remarks, Uasin Gishu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade and Industrialization Ms. Martha Cheruto lauded the forthcoming conference noting it will help transform the socio-economic status of the county and particularly the Eldoret town which is nearly attaining city status.
She challenged the local community to embrace their culture by exhibiting locally produced merchandise during the conference like honey, traditional regalia and other goods so as to promote their culture and reap financially from the guests.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
