City hotels record impressive booking ahead of continental meeting

Hotels within Nairobi’s central business district are already fully booked as the Tokyo International Conference on Africa’s Development (Ticad) approaches.

According to a notice published on the Ticad VI website by the secretariat, delegates looking for accommodation for the event have to find hotels within the capital’s periphery from the list of 94 recommended furnished apartments and hotels due to the bookings.

Serena, Nairobi Safari Club, Lilian Towers, intercontinental, Sankara, Hilton Radisson Blu, Sarova Stanley and Sarova Panafric, which are listed among the recommended accommodation facilities now have maximum occupancy for the whole event.

“The TICAD VI Secretariat is pleased to provide detailed arrangements for accommodation during TICAD VI Secretariat. This note contains the list of recommended hotels, and the Central Hotel Reservation Office and registration form. The list of hotels where delegations are accommodated will be transmitted to the National Police Service who will provide reinforced security for all these areas,” the note said.

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The two-day conference scheduled for the end of the month is expected to bring in 7,000 delegates from across the continent, similar to the influx witnessed during the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (Unctad) in July.

Ticad has over the last two decades grown to become a key investment forum aimed at strengthening Japan-Africa economic and political relations.

Ticad V was attended by 39 heads of State and government officials from 51 African countries.

Being the first time that the conference is being held in Africa and the Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expected to be in attendance, Nairobi residents are more likely to face traffic gridlock and experience delays getting in and out of the city.

“The Government of Kenya will provide appropriate transport for the Heads of State and Government and other Heads of Delegation during the Conference period. For all other delegates, shuttle buses will be available to pick-up and drop-off delegates at Airport, designated hotels and Conference venue,” the secretariat said on their website.

The talks are expected to centre on promoting structural economic transformation through economic diversification and industrialisation.

Focus will also be placed on building resilient health systems that promote a better quality of life and social stability.

During the 14th session of Unctad on Sunday Nairobi residents witnessed for a week-long traffic gridlock with motorists being advised to use alternative routes to enter or exit the city centre.