Devolution Cabinet Secretary Charles Keter (pictured) yesterday assured  United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA) North Africa Caucus of Kenya’s readiness to host the 9th edition of the Africities Summit slated for 17th to 21st May 2022 in Kisumu city.

 Delegates from the National government and Kisumu County government are in Luxor city in Egypt to attend the meeting to mobilise maximum delegates to the forthcoming summit.

The delegation led by Keter augments State efforts to attend the regional caucuses to woo foreign investors to the country.

“The commitment of delivering a successful summit next year is the major focus of the President of the Republic of Kenya as we wade through the difficult stage of coronavirus pandemic,” he said.

Kisumu Governor Governor Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o used the platform to mobilise the delegates from the five regions of UCLGA across Africa to attend the convention.

The high-level summit will offer the country an opportunity to showcase its successes in economic and political decentralization as well as the vast investment opportunities.

He said Kisumu city with the support of the national government are working around the clock to deliver the most memorable summit ever held.

Make a case

“We have made tremendous progress in our preparations despite the hiccups caused by Covid 19 pandemic. I assure you that the Government of Kenya and Kisumu City are ready for a summit that will go on record as the most memorable Africities gathering,” Nyong’o affirmed.

Last month, Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr Mathew Owili led another delegation to attend the UCLGA Central Africa Caucus in Libreville, Gabon for a similar course.

Africities Planning Secretariat member Aloice Ager said the leadership of the host city is required to make a case at the regional caucuses to effectively mobilise delegates from all the regions for the summit.

UCLGA brings together associations of local governments from across Africa and is the franchise holder of Africities Summit. The associations are divided into five regions of Eastern, Southern, Western, Central and Northern Africa.

-KNA