Devolution conference major boost for local hotels

By TOBIAS CHANJI and GIDEON MAUNDU

Kwale, KENYA: Kwale’s reputation as a leading conference destination was cemented last week when Diani town hosted the devolution conference that brought together more than 3,000 delegates.

It was a major boost for local hotels, which have been struggling with a daily bed occupancy of no more than 20 per cent.

“Hotels were lucky to have their occupancy boosted albeit for a short period. It is low season and what we received is commendable,” said Adam Sheikh, Kwale’s Executive Member in charge of tourism and ICT yesterday.

REVENUE ACCRUED

Sheikh said Kwale County benefited a great deal from the revenue accrued.

The county’s Finance Bill that has been signed into law dictates that each hotel pays Sh50 per bed per night.

“The cumulative effect also saw a lot of merchandise, micro enterprise and employment being boosted,” stated Sheikh.

He said most governors visited tour sites like the Wasini Island thus spreading the benefit. Though about 20 minutes drive from Diani town, where the conference was, Hill Park Tiwi Beach got full capacity.

“The guests were many and we were able to fill our rooms despite being far away from Diani,” said the hotel’s General Manager, George Mokaya.

The hotel engaged services of 390 police officers, two platoons of GSU officers and a private guards’ firm to beef up security.

Physical and electronic searches done at every entry and exit showed security officials were leaving nothing to chance.

24-HOUR SECURITY

“Because of what was has been happening at the coast, we needed to up everything. The place was guarded for 24 hours during the entire period. The organisers did a great job,” claimed the Msambweni OCPD, Joseph Omijah.

However, there are those who feel the conference fell short of their expectations.

Two ladies who claimed they were employed as ushers, among 25 others, complained to The Standard that the money they received for work done was ‘so little.’

“I worked from Monday to Friday, serving water to guests the whole day, and I have just been given Sh1,760,” lamented one lady.

Another one who said she worked for two days was paid Sh450 per day and feels the employment has not helped her because she was leaving her baby with a caretaker who must get a share of the wage.

Most hotels around the beach charge between Sh8,000 and Sh16,720 for a standard suite and between Sh12,000 to Sh26,000 per night for single and double suite.

The county is expectd to host another conference on ICT that will bring together all ICT officials from the counties from next Saturday.