Busia has signed a Memorandum of understanding with the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC), with a view to establishing conference facilities in the County.
Speaking to the press after signing the pact, Busia Governor Dr. Paul Otuoma said that the initiative will help open up conference facilities that will offer opportunities for investments to the local residents.
“You are aware that tourism conferencing is one of the fastest growing industries and given our strategic position here at the border, whereby we have thousands of people coming in from East and Central Africa, Uganda, Congo this will be their first taste of what Kenya is,” he said.
Otuoma expressed confidence that the agreement will not only be of mutual benefit to both parties, but also to the entire nation.
The CEO of KICC James Mwaura said that the pact will go a long way in raising businesses ‘within Busia County.
“We realize that other areas globally have been able to integrate their devolved functions to the extent that they are able to hold conferences in any part of the country,” he said, adding that it is no longer a business of cities.
Mwaura stated that Busia is already considered as a city and there is need to build the capacity of its residents.
“We have a responsibility as a government entity to capacity build devolved units to the extent that we will be able to leverage competitively with the neighbors and with other competitors globally,” he said.
The official at the same time reiterated conferencing business is the fasted growing and Kenya cannot afford to be left behind.
“KICC has a responsibility of ensuring that every part of this country grows on the same level for purposes of businesses, conferences and conventions,” he said, adding that his team will be coming in handy to provide expert support.
Mwaura added that the KICC team has supported many international conventions and they want to replicate it in Busia and the Lake Region Economic Bloc and other devolved units.
“Busia may not have a very big convention centre, but we will begin by fixing our technologically advanced tent,” he said, adding that the main conference facilities will be built slowly over time.
Busia is expected to host the Lake Region Economic Bloc Summit from 27th to 29th November this year, a forum that is expected to host more than 2,000 people.
By Salome Alwanda
