Kisumu County banks on Jamaican reggae star Richie Spice’s performance in the lakeside city to boost tourism.
Richie Spice landed in Kisumu on Sunday morning and is set to headline a reggae concert at Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Mamboleo.
The reggae star was received by Roots Party Leader Wajackoya Luchiri, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili, and a host of Members of the County Assembly (MCAs).
He headed to the governor’s office for a courtesy call before planting a tree at the stadium, where he also tested the sound system ahead of his performance later this evening.
Hundreds of residents turned up along the busy Kisumu-Kakamega Highway to catch a glimpse of the star.
Richie Spice was then taken on a tour of Lake Victoria and the Impala Sanctuary to sample some of Kisumu’s key attractions.
Dr Owili said the visit was key for Kisumu as the county government banked on the artiste’s performance to attract tourists.
“Richie Spice is not just an ordinary artiste. We know that his presence here has caught the attention of the world. We expect the world to see Kisumu in the eyes of Richie Spice,” he said.
Prof. Wajackoya said the visit was critical for Kisumu and Kenya as a whole, urging area residents to turn up in large numbers for the show.
Reggae music, he said, was rich in meaning and culture, adding that the country stands to benefit from the music’s teachings.
The Roots Party leader reiterated his call to legalize marijuana, saying the country stands to reap economic benefits from the crop.
Kisumu County Executive Committee Member (CECM) in Charge of Tourism Farida Salim said the concert was timely as the county moves to market Kisumu as a tourist destination.
She said the lake excursion given to the artiste was part of an elaborate plan to market Lake Victoria as a key tourist attraction site to woo domestic and international tourists.
Meanwhile, preparations for the concert have been finalised as revelers from Kisumu and other parts of the county trickle in for the show, which kicks off at 4 p.m.
Security officers have been deployed at the stadium to ensure that the show runs uninterrupted.
Regular tickets for the concert are going for Sh500, while VIP tickets are being sold at the gate at Sh2000 each.
By Chris Mahandara
