By Peter Ochieng
Kisumu governor Anyang’ Nyong’o was on Wednesday full of praise for the ‘Kisumu My Pride’ campaign, which has been on the forefront of marketing the Lakeside City as the tourism, investment and conference destination of choice.
The campaign is spearheaded by Kisumu county’s directorate of tourism.
Speaking during a round table meeting with tourism stakeholders, Nyong’o said the campaign has been pivotal in positioning Kisumu as a premier destination, showcasing its vibrant culture and rich heritage.
“The success of this campaign is a collective achievement and our journey towards a more prosperous Kisumu is ongoing, and it requires the continued commitment and collaboration of all stakeholders,” stated the second term county boss.
He called on the stakeholders to leverage on the networks and partnerships established through the Fish Fiesta and the ‘Kisumu My Pride Campaign’ to drive initiatives that will have a lasting impact in the community.
“Tourism is a big source of revenue for many countries that were once in the league of some of the poorest nations and countries, as it creates sustainable local economies, employment and opens up counties for investments as well as creating opportunities for both foreigners,” he added.
Data from the ministry of tourism, Nyong’o said, indicate a significant growth in the number of tourist arrivals in the country in 2022 and 2023.
He noted that in the Western Kenya tourism circuit, the highest number of arrivals were recorded at the Busia boarder with 147,125 visitors followed by Malaba with 47,132 tourists.
“The Kisumu International Airport (KIA) reported 1,820 tourist arrivals during the period under review. Kisumu can do better and this is why this round table meeting is very important for us,” he added.
Meanwhile, former Principal Secretary (PS) in the ministry of ICT Jerome Ochieng has been sworn in as Kisumu County Chief Executive Committee Member (CECM) in charge of lands, physical planning and urban development.
He was sworn in on Wednesday, after being cleared by the Kisumu County Assembly during vetting. Governor Nyong’o nominated him on 30th April, to replace the sacked Kennedy Hongo.