Eldoret to host 2023 Devolution Conference

Eldoret town will host the Devolution conference in 2023. Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii exclusively told Nairobi News on February 20, 2023, that the annual event will attract upto 20,000 guests and various stakeholders. He urged the local business community to prepare this event which is certain to attract visitors and investors from within and outside the country. "We are privileged to be hosting one of a kind event and I want to urge our business community in the hospitality industry to prepare themselves to host a large number of guests," added Mr. Bii. The event is scheduled to take place between August 16 to 19. The annual forum provides an avenue to discuss the opportunities, challenges, and some of the solutions encountered by various devolved governments. In a related event, the county boss said he was optimistic the joint military and police operation in the North Rift region will end banditry. "I am fully behind the decision by our President William Ruto to deploy our troops in the region. Bandit attacks have resulted in suffering among locals in the region and loss of lives," said Mr Bii. He said that the region especially Uasin Gishu, has felt the negative impact of the livestock and honey trade that has pushed up the prices of the products. The governor also defended the decision to close the old Eldoret market, saying that the stalls in the old market were not inadequate. This resulted in frequent confrontations. "We had recurrent conflicts, after every five years, we have had confrontations. We had 1000 stalls against over 6,000 traders," he said. He assured the members of the public that the construction of the market will be completed soon. "The Lands and housing Cabinet Secretary (Zachary Njeru ) was here and we have set up a joint committee to oversee the project. I want to assure those traders who were affected that they will be prioritized once the new market is complete." Also read: Explainer: What it entails being a Chief Administrative Secretary Captain Otoyo, Nyce Wanjeri earn nominations for the Kenya Theatre Awards 2023 Reveller collapses, dies outside Kasarani bar after daylong binge drinking EXCLUSIVE: Ayub Savula hits out at Gachagua over ‘state favours’