Hotels fully booked ahead of Owuor rally

Three major hotels in Kisumu are fully booked ahead of Dr David Owuor’s three-day prayer meeting, which begins on Thursday.

Acacia Premier, Imperial Express and Kisumu Hotel are reserved for guests accompanying Dr Owuor.

The chairman of Western Kenya Hospitality Leaders Association, Mr Robinson Anyal, said the good news coming during the festive season would boost confidence in the western tourism circuit.

“The two-day business boom is a worthy start of the year for hoteliers,” Mr Anyal told the Nation on Monday.

He said 2015 was a good year for business with prospects for next year already looking good.

‘Prophet Owuor’ as he is known to his followers, is scheduled to lead worshippers in a repentance and national healing service.

Senior Bishop George Kyaka said security would be tight in and outside the grounds.

“Bags will be searched and guides will be around to show guests which gates to use. Parking will be available for the thousands of vehicles expected,” he said.

At least 1,200 police officers have been deployed near the venue of the meeting.

HUGE ATTRACTION

Meanwhile, at hundreds of people have gathered at Kibos Grounds, Kisumu, three days before the prayer meeting.

Pilgrims from as far as Mandera, Kitale, Mombasa and central Kenya have positioned themselves in particular sections of the 80-acre field to begin individual prayers.

High capacity vehicles, especially school buses, have caused traffic jams on the Kisumu-Miwani road.

Mr Moses Omala, a Mombasa resident said he arrived early to secure a good worshipping place.

“I came this far to ask God for blessings in 2016. It will be the second time I will be attending Prophet Owuor’s prayer rally,” he said.

Businesspeople have pitched tents outside the field to sell foodstuffs, clothes and other items.

Pay temporary washrooms have also been built outside the Kibos Grounds.

Mr Lameck Amanda from Kisii County said he had sold hundreds of whistles in a just day.