Devolution Conference to cost Ksh.200M, says CS Wamalwa

The fifth devolution conference to be held in Kakamega County from next week is expected to cost Ksh.200 million, Devolution CS Eugene Wamalwa has said.

Speaking during a meeting with Western leaders to plan for the conference, the CS further gave assurance that the region was fully prepared to host the four-day event.

He also noted that most of the services during the conference will be provided by locals so that they may also feel the effects of devolution.

“We are talking of over Ksh.200 million to start with,” said Wamalwa.

“For visitors who will come, all our hotels are full… and we have insisted that, because this conference is coming to Western for the first time, we must have local entrepreneurs and business people doing all the services so that they can feel the fruits of devolution.”

“Today we are sending one message to the entire country… that Western is ready, Kakamega is ready to host the fifth devolution conference.”

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, on his part, urged the government not to deny entry to Congolese musician Koffi Olomide who is scheduled to entertain delegates during the function.

Malala further rubbished claims that the county was set to spend Ksh.20 million to settle Olomide’s fees, adding that the Congolese star’s performance during the conference is courtesy of a group of independent individuals.

“There have been allegations that the county government is spending Ksh.20 million to pay Koffi Olomide to come and entertain our guests. I have engaged with the governor on that issue… the governor is just facilitating by hosting the musician.”

“We are not using county funds to pay Koffi Olomide, we are using county facilities, and they are even paying the county to be hosted here… these are local boys who invested and said they want to take this opportunity to entertain our visitors,” said Malala.