Meru traders reap big from devolution conference, drama fete

Business flourished in Meru town and its neighbouring towns like Nkubu, Maua and Isiolo for the third week running following the third national Devolution Conference that ended on Friday.

The conference held at Meru National Polytechnic that started on Tuesday was preceded by the 10-day Kenya National Drama Festival that came to a close on April 15. The drama was held in four venues in Meru Town.

Although the devolution forum attracted about 6,000 delegates compared to 50,000 who turned up for the drama festival, businesses said they recorded more profits in the past one week as the visitors, mainly Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) and county government workers painted the towns red.

Among the businesses that reaped big were hotels which were booked to capacity despite increasing prices — some threefold, taxi operators, boda bodas, clothes sellers and other traders.

Members of the oldest profession were not left behind as they cashed on the guests.

“For the first time I witnessed a shortage of prostitutes in the streets as they were all taken for merry,” a taxi operator who asked not to be named told the Sunday Nation.

A spot check by the Nation in various clubs in past one week indicated booming business as revelers partied until dawn.

Tigania West MP David Karithi said the devolution forum and the drama festival were a blessing to business community in Meru and its environs who made a kill.

“The events have promoted local businessmen. Many business premises were spruced up to cash on the events,” Mr Karithi said.

He castigated local leaders who boycotted the devolution meeting saying it was a crucial forum “which might return to Meru after 47 years after all the other 47 counties have hosted it.”

Meru’s was the third annual national devolution conference after it was held in Kwale in 2014 and Kisumu last year. The event is slated for either Narok which is the home of the Masai Mara or tea-rich Kericho.

The Meru meeting brought together governors, senators, MPs, county and national government officials, donors, diplomats, potential investors and other business people.

Various counties used occasion to showcase their successes in the last three years of devolution.

Also exhibited were crops and other products from the devolved units that make them tick.

The devolution conference was also a meeting point for Miss Tourism Kenya 2016 title holders from the counties as each sought to give the best image of their regions.

The beauties who were adorned to draw attention came in handy at the exhibition stands where county governments sought to showcase their innovations and successes.

Juliet Mercy Awino the Kisumu ambassador said she had attended the conference to help Kenyans know of the innovations and opportunities available.

“This is a good platform for counties to learn from each other. As Kisumu County, we are showcasing how we have innovatively addressed the water hyacinth problem. Kisumu has some of the best innovations,” Ms Awino said.

Dressed in traditional Maasai dress and jewellery, Miss Tourism Kenya Narok county Stephanie Dikirr said she was out to sell her county’s unique culture, investment opportunities and tourist attractions.

“We are here to show how devolution is leveraging on available resources to improve lives. We are here to say that devolution is working in Narok,” Ms Dikirr said.

Siaya’s Dorothy Awino and her Vihiga counterpart Victoria Ogina said the devolution conference is a good place to share experiences and display what each region is doing well in.

This year’s Miss Tourism competition is set for Vihiga County in May to determine the country’s best beauty.