VIP opulence on display as Homa Bay hosts Devolution Conference

A classic show of opulence, state power, and material fruits of devolution has descended on Homa Bay town as several dignitaries arrived for this year's Devolution Conference, bringing the lakeside town to a standstill.

Massive traffic jams clogged the town as fleets of fuel-guzzling vehicles and luxury cars ferried VIPs, leaving residents watching in awe. 

Hotels were fully booked, with some visitors forced to seek accommodation as far as Kisii, Kendu Bay, Mbita, and Rongo.

For one, witnessing the rich demonstration by the counties, it is hard to imagine that they are the same lot that has been struggling to implement key projects and fund programmes.

There was a hive of activity in the county ahead of the event scheduled for tomorrow.

A spot check by The Standard across the town established that all available hotels were fully booked, with some of the dignitaries forced to travel to other towns as far as Kisii, Kendu Bay, Mbita, and Rongo.

With some hotels tripling their accommodation costs to take advantage of the event to boost their incomes, some visitors opted to make the daily trip to Homa Bay from Kisumu and Migori.

Maureen Okello, a hotelier who offers furnished short stay rentals, said that all their units were booked long before the event by county officials, heads of government parastatals, and senior business executives.

"We have made a huge kill. Single rooms range between Sh4,000 and Sh7,000, but they are all booked," she said.

Geoffrey Okoth, the chairman of the business community in Homa Bay, said the event had spurred unprecedented demand for goods and services in the town.

Okoth said the business community had received an unprecedented number of guests who had created the need for more goods and services.

“The conference is good because it has opened up a lot of business opportunities. We have high hopes for the sale of goods and services during the conference,” Okoth said.

At Homa Bay High School, the conference venue, county governments, state agencies, parastatals, and private firms were racing to set up exhibition stands showcasing products from their regions.

A number of counties displayed some of the products that are produced and packaged in their area.

For instance, West Pokot County displayed honey harvested from its lucrative bee farming. 

As part of the efforts to improve the infrastructure of the town, contractors were in a rush to install street lights along a stretch of the Homa Bay-Rodi Kopany road.

Some businesses closed temporarily as locals gathered to catch a glimpse of the dignitaries.

President William Ruto is expected to fly to Homa Bay today alongside other dignitaries before officially opening the fete tomorrow. 

ODM leader Raila Odinga is also expected to address the delegates.