Hotels record brisk business as thousands attend prayer meeting

By Michael Wesonga

Eldoret, Kenya: Traders in Eldoret town recorded brisk business during the Repentance and Holiness Ministries National Thanksgiving meeting in Eldoret over Easter.

The hotel and catering industry in Uasin Gishu County reaped big from the event hosted by Prophet Dr David Owuor.

The prophet was putting up at the newest entrant in the industry, Boma Inn Hotel, a four-star hotel and conference centre opened in June 2013.

Higher bookings

The facility located in Elgon View estate boasts of two governor suites, six deluxe rooms and 60 superior rooms with an array of amenities including wireless Internet, iPod docking stations, coffee makers as well as mini bars.

The hotel is fast becoming popular among politicians, athletes and businessmen.

Hotel Comfy’s Manager Hildah Kibiwott said they also recorded higher bookings mainly due to the fact that most hotels outside the town were filled to capacity.

“We were somehow positively affected but not as much as we expected,” she explained, but added that there was no significant change in catering services as most of those who attended the event were fasting.

The crusade was also a blessing for Star Bucks Hotel and Restaurant, another new entrant in the sector.

The hotel’s General Manager Josephat Kioko said 138 out of 198 of the rooms had been booked by April 15.

“Business was good. Only 16 of the various visitors of mixed nationalities that included Canadians, Germans, South Africans, South Koreans among others were Kenyans,” he added.

He said the guests also gave a positive feedback about the state of security during the three-day crusade.

Impeded movement

But while the prayer meeting was largely a blessing to the business community in the town, to Said Ihugo, a taxi operator, it was a curse.

Ihugo said the meeting caused a big jam traffic jam and generally impeded movement in the town.

“The event greatly affected traffic flow within town. It took about an hour to get to Pioneer, which is just two kilometres from the CBD. And to make matters worse, our regular customers were away for Easter,” he said.

Jonah Kinywa, a boda boda operator, also said the windfall he expected from the prayer meeting was not to be as those who attended the function preferred walking.

“I tried going for them but it was futile because most of them preferred walking to town. I think it is because of the time of the month,” he stated.

He added: “I think food and other small vendors that erected their stands around the venue benefited more,” he added.

During the final day of the mega thanksgiving prayer meeting on Sunday, several politicians submitted their lives to God. Led by host MP Oscar Sudi, the leaders asked Kenyans to humble themselves before God.