Business boom as Kakamega hosts Mashujaa Day fete

Residents of Kakamega line up along the road leading to Bukhungu Stadium on October 20, 2018 as they await the arrival of President Uhuru Kenyatta for Mashujaa Day celebrations. Western Kenya towns of Kisumu and Kakamega had a business boom as a result of the national celebrations. PHOTO | SHABAN MAKOKHA | NATION MEDIA GROUP

By  CAROLINE MUNDU

What you need to know:

  • Mashujaa Day celebrations were held at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County.
  • Robinson Anyal said there it was a beehive of activities two days to the main celebrations.
  • He added that the Mashujaa Day celebrations revived the hotel business in the region.

Hoteliers and traders in western Kenya have benefitted from booming business due to many guests who attended the national Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kakamega on Saturday.

Kakamega and Kisumu towns were the major beneficiaries of the celebrations as most guests landed at the Kisumu International Airport before proceeding for the event in Kakamega town.

Some guests spent more than three nights in various hotels in Kisumu and Kakamega, thus contributing to the huge success in trade.

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Western Kenya Hospitality Leaders Association Chairman Robinson Anyal said there it was a beehive of activities two days to the main celebrations that were held in Kakamega County.

FULLY BOOKED

“Top hotels in Kisumu such as Acacia, Imperial and Jumuia Resort were fully booked by VIPS who were to attend the main celebrations. Golf Hotel in Kakamega town was also fully booked,” he said.

He added that the Mashujaa Day celebrations revived the hotel business in the region that has otherwise not been doing well in the past few months due to the tough economic times the country has been experiencing lately.

“It has been an off-peak season for hotel owners who over time registered loses because of the low number of customers they received,” added my Anyal.

Taxi drivers were also not left out as they were “overwhelmed” by the number of visitors and high profile people they had to ferry to Kakamega.

TAXI BUSINESS

“It is only the distance between Kisumu and Kakamega that restricted me from making many trips,” said Mr John Odipo, a taxi driver at Kisumu International Airport.

He went on: “Normally I only make two trips to Kakamega and I charge Sh4,500 per trip so I make at least Sh9,000 per day.”

“However, as the celebrations neared, visitors begun trickling in and business started booming. I was making more than double the initial amount as some of the customers also left me substantial tips for my good service,” he added.

Mashujaa Day celebrations were held at Bukhungu Stadium in Kakamega County.

President Uhuru Kenyatta gave the keynote address to mark the celebrations.

Also in attendance was Namibian President Hage Geingob, ODM leader Raila Odinga and Deputy President William Ruto, among other guests.

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