Seven heads of state are expected to grace the 9th edition of Africities summit to be held in Kisumu next week.
Six former African heads of state and government are also set to attend the continental event slated for May 17-22, May 2022.
President Uhuru Kenyatta and his counterparts are set to headline the summit whose theme is ‘The Role of Intermediary Cities of Africa in the implementation of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations and the African Union Agenda 2063’.
United Cities and Local Governments of Africa (UCLGA), the organizers of the event have pitched tent at the Jomo Kenyatta International Stadium in Kisumu to fix final touches at the venue.
UCLGA Secretary General Jean Pierre said adequate measures have been put in place to receive the high profile guests.
3,000 delegates from Africa and across the world, he said, have also registered for the conference.
The registration, he said, was still on adding that more delegates were expected to register before the conference kicks off next week.
The exhibition space, he said, has been totally sold out with 200 exhibitors registered to showcase their wares.
Pierre said the preparations were on course promising to deliver a world class conference next week.
Kisumu Governor Prof. Anyang Nyong’o said the conference is set to boost the economy of Kisumu and the lake region.
A cultural festival, he said, has been organized at Mama Grace Onyango Social Center and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Sports complex to run concurrently with the conference.
Exhibition stands at the two venues, he added, have also been fully booked adding that local traders stand to reap big.
“We expect that after the conference guests will visit the two venues to sample our local cuisine and culture,” he said.
Other measures taken ahead of the conference include beautification of the city and rerouting of public service vehicles from the City’s Central Business District to ensure free flow of traffic.
The Africities Summit is the flagship event of UCLGA which brings together African ministers, mayors, leaders and elected officials of local and regional governments, civil society organizations, traditional authorities, representatives of the African Diaspora, economic actors, experts, researchers and academics, financial institutions, and development partners.
Kisumu is the first intermediary city in Africa to host the event.
