BY MOSES NYAMORI
The North-Rift region is witnessing a steady growth in hotel industry, with the number of hotels having reached 200 by the beginning of this year.
The skyward trend has been attributed, majorly, to the ever-soaring demand for hospitality and conferencing facilities due to the continuous expansion of Eldoret and other small towns in the region.
Actors in the industry say presence of athletes and government offices are some of the pull factors for investors in the industry because of increased demand for bed spaces and conferencing halls.
NGOs that started operating as peace agents in the region following the 2007 skirmishes have also heightened demand for the facilities since the organisations use them for their meetings.
Hotel and conference facilities in the region include Sirikwa, Poa place, Cicada, Noble Conference Centre among many others.
The increase in the number of facilities has bridged the acute shortage of bed spaces although players in the industry say the demand is still high.
Mr Ishmael Chelang’a, Deputy Regional Tourism Officer, said some athletes in the region have ventured into the business and have since constructed several facilities in the region.
The officer said athletes have also invested in the sector and provided market for the facilities by using them while on training.
“Iten is a small town but one is surprised by the number of hotels in the area. The athletes need accommodation while training and entrepreneurs both local and from other parts of the country, the athletes included, have tapped the opportunity of investing in the amenities,” said Mr Chelang’a.
Oil exploration in Turkana has also been credited for the growth of entrepreneurs who try to exploit business due to shortage of essential facilities for those engaged in exploration activities. He, however, said the region lacks modern facilities, saying there is only one three-star hotel in the entire of North-Rift region.
