Construction of the Sh 1.4 billion Afri-Cities Convention Centre in Kisumu has kicked off in earnest with organizers of the continental feat upbeat that the facility shall be ready before May next year.
Afri-Cities Secretariat Coordinator, Alloice Ager said the contractor was on course to deliver the project which is expected to host 6, 000 delegates from across the world for the conference slated for May 17-21, 2022.
Ager said the contractor was on schedule expressing optimism that the iconic centre will be completed on time.
The facility comprising the main auditorium, 15 breakaway rooms, 60 exhibition spaces, outdoor Amphitheatre, VIP lounge, cultural centre, health centre, press rooms, picnic area and a children’s park is also set to revolutionsalize conference tourism in the lake region.
Afri-cities is the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa’s (UCLGA) flagship Pan-African event that is held every three years in one of the five regions of Africa.
The event attracts communities and local authorities in African countries, as well as financial institutions, civil society groups and development partners at continental and international level.
Kisumu is the first intermediary city in Africa to host the event after a successful bid by Kenya during the 8th edition of the conference held in Marrakech, Morocco.
The conference which was supposed to be held in November this year was pushed to May next year following consultations with the Government of Kenya, the Council of Governors of Kenya and the lead partners in the organisation of the Summit.
By Chris Mahandara
