Kisumu Governor, Prof Peter Anyang’ Nyong’o is in the Egyptian capital City to attend the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa ( UCLGA)’s 25th Executive Committee Meeting.
Prof Nyong’o is attending the meeting together with the Cabinet Secretary for Devolution, Eugene Wamalwa who is leading the Kenyan delegation.
The meeting has been convened to take stock of UCLGA’s situation including the upcoming 9th edition of the Africities Summit to be held in Kisumu in April 2022.
In his address to delegates on Thursday, Prof Nyong’o said Kisumu was ready to host the Summit, which is expected to unlock economic and investment opportunities in the Lake region economic block.
He noted that despite the planning disruptions by the coronavirus pandemic, the Kenya government has mobilized considerable resources to ensure the country delivers a memorable summit.
He told the meeting about the infrastructural improvements especially the construction of the Africities Convention Centre which is expected to commence within the coming month at Mamboleo. This will be first Convention centre in the Lake Region Economic Bloc and by extension the whole of the western hemisphere.
“We are ready for the summit, despite the threats by Covid-19”, Prof Nyong’o said.
The Governor who also represented the Chairman of the Council of Governors H.E Governor Martin Wambora -the Kenyan representative at the UCLG Africa Executive, exuded confidence of the country delivering a successful in-person conference considering the measures put in place by government to stem the spread of the pandemic including upscaling testing and increased vaccinations of the citizens.
While addressing the meeting, the Chief guest – General Mahmoud Sharawi indicated the Egyptian government desire to host the 10th edition of the Summit in Cairo. He said that the government would soon be filing a strong proposal to UCLGA for this mission.
The UCLGA Secretary General, H.E Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi thanked the Egyptian government for accepting to host the organisation’s northern regional office in Cairo noting that they will forge closer working relationship.
The meeting was also attended by the Governor of Cairo, Major General Khaled Abdel Al Aal and Mohamed Boudra – the President of UCLG Global.
Others in the Kenyan entourage included the Chief Administrative Secretary in the ministry Hon. Gideon Mungaro, the Principal Secretary Mr. Korir, Nakuru county’s CECM for Lands and Urban Planning Mr. Joseph Kiunaand the Africities’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Joe Ager.
