A business summit aimed at promoting Nairobi's Eastleigh as a regional business hub was held on Saturday, with leaders wooing investors to the area.
The first Eastleigh business summit brought together politicians, several firms and business persons who agreed to work together in creating a positive image for the area that has been associated with terrorism.
Kamukunji MP Yusuf Hassan Abdi said opening up the area for business activities would provide employment opportunities to the youth and help fight radicalisation.
Mr Hassan said, as leaders, they are putting adequate measures to open up the area for investments by promoting peace and harmony.
He said the area receives more than 20,000 traders on a daily basis, adding that reversing the negative image about the business centre would significantly improve the numbers and attract more investors to the area.
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"This summit is sending a message out there that Eastleigh is ready for investments and we want to tell as many people to invest here," said Hassan.
He said they were working towards improving security in the area to ensure a 24-hour economy.
Hassan said with improved roads and other infrastructural developments in the area, investors have no reasons but to invest.
"We have invested a lot in terms of infrastructure and that will boost business," he added.
The summit also sought to address the bottlenecks that are impeding business in the area.
Eastleigh North MCA Osman Adow said the area has a huge potential of contributing significantly to the country's economy if it is nurtured well but said that lack of garbage collection was a major hindrance.
The leaders said the summit, which will be held annually, will help reverse negative perception and help boost trade.
The summit is also set to address insecurity issues in the area.
Eastleigh Business Community secretary general Ahmed Mohamed said the area has made headlines for the bad reasons despite contributing more than 30 per cent of Nairobi County's revenue.
"Having such a summit annually would definitely change the narrative and attract more investors in the area.
