By Staff Writer
GARISSA, Kenya, July 29 – Garissa County is seeking to position itself as a leading destination for national conferences and investment after hosting the 4th Devolution Sensitization Week, Governor Nathif Jama said on Tuesday, describing the event as a boost to the local economy and a sign of growing confidence in the county.
Speaking during the official opening of the Devolution Sensitization Week at Young Muslim Junior School Grounds, Nathif said the event had generated business for hotels, restaurants, transport operators, traders and suppliers as delegates from across Kenya arrived in Garissa.
“Hosting Devolution Week is not the destination; it is a stepping stone. We want Garissa to become a recognised national conference and investment destination, and we are ready to work with all stakeholders to make that vision a reality,” Nathif said.
The governor said Garissa had become the first county in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands (ASAL) region to host a national event backed by the Council of Governors on such a scale, describing the decision as a reflection of growing confidence in the county’s security, infrastructure and hospitality.
He said many visitors arrive with negative perceptions of Garissa but leave with a different impression.
“Many people arrive in Garissa with perceptions formed from a distance, but once they get here they see a different reality, a peaceful, welcoming and rapidly developing town with enormous potential for investment and growth,” he said.
The governor said the county had increasingly hosted major national events over the past year, including the National Early Childhood Development Conference, the National Science Congress finals for junior and senior schools, and the ongoing National Music Festivals finals for schools and colleges at NEP Girls High School.
Nathif said the county now intends to bid to host next year’s Devolution Conference, one of Kenya’s largest annual governance forums, which brings together representatives from all 47 county governments, national government institutions, development partners, private sector organisations and thousands of delegates.
He said the county administration would work with national leaders from Garissa to support the bid.
The Devolution Sensitization Week is organised to promote public awareness of Kenya’s devolved system of government while providing a platform for counties to showcase development programmes and engage citizens.
