Homa Bay's Hotel Industry, Transport Sector Booming as 2025 Devolution Conference Begins
- Traders in Homa Bay have started feeling the positive impact of the 8th Devolution Conference, which the county is hosting
- Some of those who spoke to TUKO.co.ke noted an increase in customer flow since preparations for the biennial event started
- Eatery owners in Homa Bay town, however, are yet to see a change, with concerns that visitors were opting for big hotels
- At least 20,000 delegates from across the 47 counties are expected to attend the conference, which will be at Homa Bay High School
Traders in Homa Bay are set to reap big from an influx of people as the county hosts the 8th Devolution Conference.
Source: Original
Several sectors have already registered a boom in business as the biennial event gets underway.
Hoteliers and those in public transport are expected to be the biggest beneficiaries of the conference, which brings together officials from all devolved units across the country.
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How are Homa Bay traders benefiting from Devolution Conference?
Some of the traders who spoke to TUKO.co.ke on Monday, August 11, said they had already registered an increased flow of customers.
Javan Auko, a taxi operator in Homa Bay town, expressed contentment as he shared his income increment since the devolution conference visitors started streaming into the town.
"Most of the visitors came through Kisumu by air, and the easiest means to Homa Bay is by taxi. My colleagues and I have been ferrying them to the conference venue and to the various hotels where they are going to stay," Auko said.
He said that in a day, he transports at least five travellers with his taxi, unlike any other day when he could get one or none.
"It is a good economic boost if you ask me. Everyone is looking for money, and cash flow has increased in Homa Bay town," he noted.
The taxi operator also noted that the visitors had raised concerns about accommodation spaces in town and its environs.
Most hotels are fully booked, with those arriving late likely to miss out on accommodation.
But as taxi operators cash in on an influx of travellers, those operating eateries are yet to start benefiting from the conference.
Quinter Akinyi, an eatery owner, lamented that those who had arrived before the start of the conference were only eating at big hotels.
"I have only served my regular customers since morning. The visitors prefer big hotels, and they also complain about them being full, yet I have fresh food here," Akinyi told TUKO.co.ke.
Source: Original
Walter Opiyo, a resident of Homa Bay, on his part, encouraged visitors as well as residents to take care of themselves and not get involved in unethical verbal exchanges that may taint the image of Homa Bay.
"I ask our people to be gentle and accommodating to our visitors so that the whole of our stay together can be peaceful," Opiyo noted.
How many people are attending Devolution Conference?
According to the Council of Governors (COG) chief executive officer (CEO) Mary Mwiti, over 11,000 delegates had registered for the devolution conference as of Monday, August 11, against the expected attendance of 20,000.
"We are still expecting more delegates other than the over 11,000 who have already registered to participate in the devolution conference," Mwiti said.
The conference will be held at Homa Bay High School and is set to run until Friday, August 12.
Homa Bay streets renamed
Previously, TUKO.co.ke reported that several streets within Homa Bay town had been renamed after prominent local leaders.
Among the leaders named after the streets are former Governor Cyprian Awiti and the late MP Ong'ondo Were.
The move sparked mixed reactions from some of the locals and traders.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Florence Owiti (freelance editor) Florence Owiti is a bold print journalist who covers current affairs topics including politics, climate change, courts and crime, devolution and governance. She has reported for TUKO.co.ke from mid-2022 from Homa Bay and neighbouring counties. She possesses a diploma in journalism and media pursued at Kenya Coast National Polytechnic. You can reach her at flowiti0098@gmail.com.
Joshua Cheloti (Editorial assistant) Joshua Cheloti is a multi-skilled journalist with over 5 years of experience in the media industry. He holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication and is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communication at Mount Kenya University. At TUKO, he's an editorial assistant. Before TUKO, he worked at Nairobi Review as an editorial writer, at Hope Media (Hope TV and Hope FM) as a correspondent in Eldoret, Hivisasa.com digital content editor and online writer, at Biblia Husema Broadcasting (BHB), Eldoret as Radio Presenter. Email: Joshua.cheloti@tuko.co.ke
