Even as Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho prepares to attend, elected leaders from Western Kenya held a crucial meeting at Golf Hotel to map out strategies for effective participation during the 5th Annual Devolution Conference to be held at Kakamega High School on 23rd to 27th April 2018.
The meeting was chaired by Devolution Cabinet Secretary, Eugine Wamalwa on Monday.
Also present were Vihiga Governor Dr. Wilbur Ottichilo, Devolution Principal Secretary Nelson Marwa, Kakamega County Deputy Governor Prof. Philip Kutima, Woman Representative Elsie Muhanda and Kakamega County Assembly Speaker Morris Buluma, Speakers of County Assemblies, there deputies, Senators, area MP Khamala, MCAs and other leaders.
Marwa locked horns with Joho during his tenure as Mombasa County police commissioner and coast regional commissioner, before being appointed a PS early this year.
Host Governor Wycliffe Oparanya and his Vihiga counterpart Ottichilo discussed wide ranging issues with regards to the region's preparedness as it gears to host the much awaited conference which brings together over 6,000 delegates.
Governor Oparanya said the conference financed by the Council of Governors, the Ministry of Devolution, the Senate as well as other development partners, will have a big economic boost for Kakamega county and the entire region hence the need for leaders to read from the same script.
He also used the platform to announce the huge steps so far realised in formation of the Lake Region Economic Block which is aimed at positively transforming the economic status of the region.
Wamalwa thanked Oparanya for successfully convening the meeting despite the short notice and exuded confidence that Kakamega will indeed successfully host the most important day on the calendar of Devolution in the country.
Joho confirmed that he would be attending the annual event in the Western Kenya county.
The first-ever Devolution Conference was held in Kwale county.