The construction of the Bomas International Convention Complex (BICC) is a key cog in the broad strategy by President Ruto’s administration to spur economic growth through large meetings, conferences and exhibitions
While briefing the press on the ongoing construction, a total overhaul of the Bomas of Kenya, Acting Chief Executive Officer Jimmy Okidiang said once it is completed, BICC will play a bigger role in the growth of the country’s economy.
He said BICC is going to make Nairobi a top global destination for business tourism, creating jobs for the youth as well as expanding business opportunities, especially in the transport, hospitality and agriculture sectors.
Okidiang said currently, there are 200 staff working full-time at the Bomas, but once the new facility is operational, they expect the numbers to rise significantly.
“This facility is a game changer, not just for Kenya or East Africa but to the whole world,” he said.
The facility, which he described as a blend of modernity and culture, elevates Kenya to the league of top conference cities in the world.
“I am sure once it is completed, we will also have the opportunity for Kenyans to obtain employment,” he said, adding: “We have other economic impacts that this particular facility will have, not necessarily to those who are working within this area, but the impact will escalate to the rest of the other factors within the economy.”
According to him, the taxi business will be booming while new hotels will spring up around BICC as business opportunities continue to open up.
“Farmers will be able to supply their farm produce to the facility for purposes of development of food items and generally, we have other hospitality facilities which will benefit delegates who will be coming to have their events here; they will be looking for where they are going to spend their evening,” he explained.
Noting that BICC is one of its kind in the region, Okidiang said that BICC gives Nairobi the cutting edge over other conference centers like Kigali Convention Center in Rwanda and Durban International Convention Center in South Africa.
“We have other associated benefits that are going to be made or other associated benefits that this particular facility will have to the rest of the other people within the country. I have just mentioned a few, but I think the population that will gain from this project will be larger than what we currently have,” he added.
He assured Kenyans that they will deliver a first-world facility adding that top international event organizers have already expressed their interest to book the facility for their future events.
“It is an ideal opportunity for Kenya as a country, it will be able to impact on the economy and I I can confirm to you that we already have a number of organisers for various events globally who have expressed interest to hold the events within the BICC,” he affirmed.
Lieutenant-Colonel Wilfrida Amondi, who is also the Project Officer, said phase one of the project which encompasses the construction of the convention center is now at 40 percent complete. She described it as the most consequential project for the country.
“The first phase includes the BICC building, which is what we are currently working on. It’s an 11,000 capacity convention building, which houses various functions. For example, it has a 3,500 capacity auditorium, a 5,000 capacity convention hall, 1,500 ballroom, and many meeting rooms, over 20 meeting rooms, which totals to 11,000.” she explained.
“The BICC project is a very important project for the country. One, it has been able to offer a lot of employment to the Kenyan youth. It is going to be one of the largest in the region, not only East and Central Africa, but also in Africa at large.” she added.
Addressing the 3,000 workers when he made a stop-over at the site last Friday, President Ruto praised them for working round the clock to ensure that Kenya gets a world-class convection facility.
“We appreciate the hardworking men and women driving our transformation forward. Their dedication, commitment and skills bring us closer, day after day, to making Kenya a dream nation of young Kenyans,” President Ruto said.
“We will continue to roll out labour-intensive programmes to expand opportunities for millions of young Kenyans. The project employs up to 3,000 workers daily and is on track to be completed later this year,” he added.
President Ruto maintained that the BICC project is in line with the vision to make Kenya a top destination and spur growth through Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE)
