Meru sets aside Sh200 million for convention centre

Meru County will be home of one of Kenya’s largest convention centre courtesy of a memorandum of understanding entered with the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

Meru County Executive for Tourism Ntoitha M’ Mithiaru said they are finalising preparations for ground breaking ceremony of the 15-floor Meru Rising Towers.

KICC is expected to guide the development and will assist in marketing such facilities at the county level. The facility will include conference and convention facilities, accommodation, shopping malls and related amenities.

“We anticipate to have everything going and hope that before the year ends, construction work will start. It will take up to two years to complete,’’ he said.

M’Mithiaru, who was flanked by Chief Officer in the department of Tourism Catherine Kithinji spoke on the sidelines of the just concluded 5th edition of the Magical Kenya Travel Expo at Leisure Lodge Resort, Diani, Kwale County.

He said an initial Sh200 million had been factored in the county’s budget for the project in this financial year while a similar amount will be considered in the next one.

“We are taking advantage to position ourselves as a centre of meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions due to the fact that the Lapsset project will be passing through the county and our proximity to the Isiolo International Airport will be an added advantage,’’ M’Mithiaru said.

On tourism attractions, the official noted Meru is home to a number of national parks and conservancies that attracts tourists to the region.