Afri-Cities secretariat has mapped out 9, 800 rooms to accommodate guests during the Afri-Cities conference to be held in Kisumu from May 17 -21, 2022.
The facilities spread across Kisumu and the neighbouring counties have been inspected and certified to host the guests.
Afri-Cities Secretariat member Alloyce Ager said facilities, among them hotels and air b and b, he said were set to give visitors world class experience. He disclosed that so far over 3, 000 delegates have registered for the continental fete.
More delegates, he added continue to express interest in the event which is set to bring together over ten heads of states and governments to deliberate on the role of intermediary cities in Africa’s development.
Kisumu which is the first intermediary city to host the conference, he said was on course to deliver a world class fete for the over 10, 000 delegates expected.
Speaking during a tour of the Sh1.2 billion Afri-Cities Convention Centre which is under construction at Mamboleo show ground, Ager who was flanked by government Spokesman Col (Rtd) Cyrus Oguna, said the facility was set to transform conference tourism in the area.
Ager said the contractor was on course to deliver the project expressing optimism that the venue shall be ready ahead of the conference.
“We have reviewed the contractors’ workplans and we have no doubt that the facility shall be handed over on 1st April so that we have at least one month to prepare for our guests,” he said.
Phase one of the project, costing Sh1.4 billion he said, comprised of conference halls and breakaway rooms, a restaurant among other amenities. Phase two of the project to cost Sh400 million, he said will comprise amphitheater and additional conference facilities.
Oguna who led a team of journalists on a tour of government projects in the area said preparations for the Afri-Cities Conference were in top gear.
“Kenya is known for our hospitality and holding world class conferences. This facility here is a demonstration of the government’s commitment to keep up with the tradition,” he said.
Oguna said the centre will go a long way in promoting conference tourism in the region given Kisumu’s proximity to Uganda and other East African countries.
The government, he added has put stringent measures in place to ensure seamless movement of the guests by road and air into Kisumu during the conference.
The Afri-Cities Conference, he added will boost Kisumu’s economy with over Sh10 billion expected to circulate in the area during the fete.
By Chris Mahandara
