Nairobi: Residents of Homa Bay County are upbeat as authorities led by the Devolution Conference Planning Committee finalize preparation for the forthcoming 13th Devolution Conference to be held between August 12-15th.
According to Kenya News Agency, spot-checks and interviews depict an optimistic community with high expectations as thousands of local and foreign visitors are expected to throng Homa Bay town to participate either directly or indirectly. Most accommodations are fully booked for next week, including Cold Springs Hotel, a major luxury establishment, for the Devolution Conference.
Dickson Osore, the hotel manager, stated that all 70 rooms at the hotel were fully booked in as early as mid-July. "We have prepared standby vehicles to transport guests from the meeting venue to the hotel for lunch and back, with transportation expenses covered," he said. Despite bookings, the hotel continues to receive calls from individuals seeking accommodations for the Devolution Conference.
Mr. Osore says he has attempted to outsource service from neighboring hotels but has been unsuccessful. Twin Towers Manager, Maurice Ouma, reports all 16 rooms were booked early last month. Mr. Ouma, managing Tausi Hotel, is receiving various requests for accommodation. He says, "We are recommending clients to Tausi in Rodi Kopany, located approximately 15km from Homa Bay town."
Homa Bay Giant Traders Association has contacted the County government to permit a few traders to conduct business within the Conference vicinity, suggesting that fruit vendors should be permitted to operate at the venue for easy access by participants. "We have requested the County government to allocate space for fish traders to sell fried fish to Conference delegates to boost their turnovers," Mr. Okoth said.