President Kenyatta to officially open 9th Edition of Africities, Kisumu

President Uhuru Kenyatta is expected to officially open the 9th Edition of Africities in Kisumu.

The theme for this edition is, ‘The Role of Intermediary Cities of Africa in the implementation of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations and the African Union Agenda 2063’.

Kisumu becomes the first African, intermediary, city to host the three-day conference scheduled to run from the 17th to the 21st of May 2022

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, in his capacity as the African Union High Representative for infrastructure, is also expected to chair the first round table discussion comprising current and former heads of state at the conference.

Kisumu Governor Anyang Nyong’o told the media that the discussion will be on the role of intermediary cities in Africa’s structural transformation as well as the population dynamics of the continent.

“Some of the discussions will be how infrastructure and urbanisation to be given special attention in terms of adequate resources to ensure planning and implementation of infrastructural development across Africa,” said Prof Nyong’o.

He pointed out that the discussion was important and had to be slotted on the first day when President Kenyatta and his counterparts are around.

The conference will also cover how cities can finance investments.

Also to feature in the deliberations is the response to the Covid-19 pandemic in intermediary cities.

The construction of the Ksh 1.2 billion Africities Convention Centre at the Mamboleo Showground is now complete and ready to host a myriad of exhibitors and other delegates.

Already 4,500 delegates have registered for the event.

Preparations have also been buoyed by the expansion of the Kisumu International Airport, which kicked off last week.

The new airport, which will double up its current capacity upon completion, is expected to be ready for operation in the next 90 days. The project will cost Ksh 240 million.

Africities is the United Cities and Local Governments of Africa’s flagship pan-African event that is held every three years in one of the five regions of Africa.