Hoteliers increase bed capacity ahead of beatification of Sister Irene ‘Nyaatha’

Nyeri town has sprung back to life as preparations get underway for the beatification of Sister Irene ‘Nyaatha’ Stefani.

The hospitality industry is expected to make booming business as more than 5,000 guests from around the world including Vatican dignitaries and over 300,000 pilgrims are expected to visit the town.

The last time the hotel industry in Nyeri County had a taste of international fame was in 1952 when then Princess Elizabeth had visited the town and news came that her father had died and she was to be Queen of England. This historical event took place at the Treetops Hotel in Nyeri.

“The hotel industry players have been holding meetings to prepare themselves for the event, the first step for most of us was to understand the magnitude of the event,” says Mount Kenya Tourism Circuit Association Chairman Charles Karuga.

The county's bed capacity is only 2,000.

“The number of guests expected is an opportunity because we will fill our hotels with little effort or marketing, however our concern is to offer value for money to encourage more clients to come back to Nyeri,” Mr Karuga notes.

Hoteliers expect the event will usher in pilgrim tourism that will ensure business throughout the year.
But challenges such as lack of supplies, under staffing and poor communication between stakeholders hamper preparations for the event.

The hoteliers, preparing to offer services 24 hours for the three days of the event, have expressed fears of staff shortages hence they have requested all technical institutes offering hospitality in the county to suspend classes.

Most hotels have started making arrangements to increase their bed capacity. Oldoiyo Lengai Resort in Karatina town is converting some of its buildings into bunk houses to increase bed capacity.

The resort manager Lawrence Kiragu says while there were no advance bookings two weeks to the event, they are ready to accommodate any walk-in clients.

“We have a bed capacity of 52 but we can accommodate up to 100 clients because we are putting up tents and converting several buildings into sleeping areas by putting in beds and mattresses,” says Mr Kiragu.

Njambi Kiritu of Golden Gates Hotel, which is close to the Dedan Kimathi grounds where the beatification will take place, confirmed that they too are increasing their bed capacity by putting up tents for about 120 people.

But she laments of poor coordination: “We are in the final stages of preparations, but unfortunately very little communication from event organisers who are the county government and the Catholic church.”

Naromoru River Lodge General Manager Edward Mwangi also complained of lack of information on the number of visitors expected.

“In the few strategy meetings with the organising teams I have attended they are talking about home stays where the guests are accommodated in people’s homes, however they have not communicated on who is coming,” Mr Mwangi explained.

He also raised concern over poor state of most roads leading to some hotels.

“The county government has been focusing only on the roads leading to the venue at the expense of access roads, for instance roads to Naromoru River Lodge need leveling and gravel,” Mwangi said.

Naromoru River Lodge has a bed capacity of 402 for groups willing to share, 250 hotel rooms for individuals, cottages, tents and bunk houses which are usually used by mountain climbers.

Karuga is also urging home owners in Nyeri to offer accommodation to the pilgrims.

“These individuals will play a crucial role in accommodation and we are asking residents willing to offer accommodation to register with the nearest hotel or Catholic Church so that those who lack accommodation in the hotels can put up in their homes,” Karuga said.

Publicity Committee chairman, Father Donatus Githui has asked anyone with complaints to forward them to the team.

And Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando says residents are yearning to host the Church guests. "We're offering our homes and our hospitality because 'a friend is a treasure'. Our indigenous African cuisine is cooking in every homestead. This theological tourism is a milestone for this region and we are ready for the world," he said.