The 9th edition of the Africities Summit was held in Kisumu on 17th to the 21st May 2022 at the Mamboleo Show Grounds at which Office of the Registrar of Political Parties (ORPP) was participated as represented Ms. Lucy Kemunto, the Kisumu County Coordinator. Kenya was at its best in the summit, earning accolades in some of globally-acknowledged milestones such as devolution model, youth in leadership and technology. The summit aimed at strengthening the role of local and regional governments in the development of the continent and to help build the integration and unity of Africa from its territories.
Running under theme, “The Role of Intermediary Cities of Africa in the Implementation of Agenda 2030 of the United Nations and the African Union Agenda 2063.”, delegates interrogated varied topics of interest. Some of the topics for discussion included industrialization in African intermediary cities; role of pension funds in advancing infrastructure development in Africa; The devolution journey as per Kenyan experience; Young leadership and inclusive safe sustainable intermediary cities among others.
A panel discussion session underway during the summit
These discussions were premised upon Sustainable development goal no. 11 – sustainable cities and communities, which seeks to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable and the need to address challenges that hamper the realization of UN’s 2063 Agenda.
H.E. President Uhuru Kenyatta officially opened the forum. In his remarks, he called on the delegates and leaders to unanimously push to develop an African blueprint to guide growth in urban cities.
The Africities summit was termed some of the demonstrable means that continued to place Kenya on the world map as a country with a lot of investment opportunities. “ The fruitful deliberations that have been are important to discuss strategies that will go a long way in revitalizing sustainable growth of intermediary cities. You can all attest that Kisumu and other cities and towns have the best investment opportunities in this part of Africa,” noted Kisumu County Governor, Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o.
Africities is the United Cities and Local Governments (UCLG) of Africa’s flagship pan-African event that is held every three years in one of the five regions of Africa. It is a platform for dialogue on decentralization and local governance that brings together every three years, African ministers; mayors, leaders and elected officials of local and regional governments; civil society organizations; traditional Authorities; representatives of the African Diaspora; economic actors; experts, researchers and academics; financial institutions; and development partners.
This year’s hosted in the country, attended by high profile delegates and African leaders including President Uhuru Kenyatta, Joaquim Chissano, former President of Mozambique, Danny Faure, former President of Seychelles and various Royal Majesties representing the traditional authorities of Africa.
Article originated by Lucy Kemunto