Cabinet Endorses Hosting Of 4 Global Events In Nairobi

The Cabinet on Wednesday, February 14 considered and endorsed the hosting of four regional, continental and global meetings in Kenya in 2024.

In a despatch to newsrooms, the Cabinet recognised Nairobi as the country's premier destination for meetings and conferences among others, boosted by the visa-free regime currently in force.

"In affirming Nairobi's status as the preeminent destination for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE), and boosted by the recently implemented Visa-Free Regime in Kenya, Cabinet considered and endorsed the hosting of regional, continental, and global conventions/meetings," the despatch stated in part.

Kenya's 2024 MICE calendar will now consist of the following events:

1. The Sixth Session of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-6);
2. The African Minerals Geosciences Centre (AMGC) Policy Organ Meeting;
3. Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Centre (GIEC) events organized in collaboration with the International Telecommunication Union; and
4. The Network of Africa Data Protection Authorities (NADPA) Conference, 2024.

The Cabinet underscored that each of the events holds the promise of further enhancing Kenya's standing on the international stage.

The events are also envisaged to make significant contributions to the transfer of knowledge and skills, as well as the advancement of Kenya's extractive industries and its ICT sector.

"As part of our nation’s global commitments on gender equality and women empowerment, Kenya will join other nations under the framework of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UN CSW) for its 68th Session, to be held from 11th -22nd March 2024," added the statement.

"The approval of Kenya’s participation by the Cabinet was preceded by Kenya’s participation in the Africa Region Pre-CSW68 preparatory meetings that adopted Africa’s common position."

The endorsement comes on the back of Kenya successfully hosting the Africa Climate Summit hosted by President William Ruto at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) between September 3-6, 2023, which pulled in more than 10,000 international delegates that included presidents and heads of government.

During the same Cabinet meeting, the Cabinet approved the privatization of six State corporations including five hotels and one bank, the privatization of the hotels being anticipated to bolster the expansion of the nation's hospitality industry and grow individual units through private-sector investment. 

"This move aligns with the ongoing rebound of the tourism sector that has been buoyed by the Visa-Free entry regime in Kenya and promises to deliver increased employment and business opportunities in both the divested enterprises as well as across the entire tourism sector," added the despatch.

The hotels include all facilities under the Kenya Safari Lodges and Hotels Limited banner including; Mombasa Beach Hotel, Ngulia Safari Lodge, and Voi Safari Lodge.

The other hotels the government is looking to privatise include; Golf Hotel, Sunset Hotel, Mt. Elgon Lodge, and Kabarnet Hotel Limited. The government is also planning to divest from the Development Bank of Kenya (DBK).

"The decision by our nation’s apex policy-making organ was informed by the fact the Bank had fully transitioned into a fully-fledged Deposit-taking commercial bank regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK)," added the statement.

An image of Mombasa Beach Hotel. /TRIP ADVISOR