Kisumu: Afri-cities forum to cost Sh900m

Kisumu county governor Anyang' Nyong'o while addressing the press at his office on February 8th 2019. (Collins Oduor, Standard)

The Afri-cities Conference that will be hosted in Kisumu in 2021 will cost Sh900 million, Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o has said.

Prof Nyong’o explained that funding will come from both the county and national governments, as well as partners who have showed interest in being part of the event.

Kisumu was selected to host the ninth edition of the conference in November last year.

While playing down fears that the money budgeted for the summit is too much, Nyong’o said it will yield more returns than the funds spent in hosting it.

He particularly noted that traders will benefit and investors will be lured to the county.  

“There is a lot of paper work going on right now. We will soon be launching the journey towards the event,” said Nyong’o.

At least 10,000 guests are expected. “There are hotels which will be built ahead of the conference. Investments in transport, security and other sector will come up. The conference will leave Kisumu a better county,” Nyong’o said.

Last week, Nyong’o was in Germany where he was lobbying for funds to develop the Lake Victoria waterfront.

Among the projects slated in the lake’s development agenda is a re-planning of the waterfront and building modern tourist facilities.

Nyong’o said the conference will be a watershed event in the entire country in terms of drawing investments. It was held in Morocco last year.[Kevine Omollo]