Plans to host a major international summit at Bomas of Kenya have hit a setback after lawmakers were told the venue will not be ready in time.
The facility, currently undergoing renovations to transform it into a modern conference hub, had been earmarked to host the upcoming Africa–France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit scheduled for May 11 and 12. However, during an inspection tour, Members of Parliament learned that construction timelines will not meet the deadline.
Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa confirmed the delay, as MPs from the National Assembly Committee on Tourism and Wildlife assessed the progress of works.
During the inspection, the committee vice chairperson and the sessional chairperson of the day, Kisauni MP, Bedzimba Rashid said that, “Our inspection has established that the works will not be completed within the stipulated timeframe.’’
The announcement effectively means the high-profile summit will have to be held elsewhere, a move legislators described as necessary under the circumstances.
“Changing the venue for the summit from Bomas was a pragmatic decision that will ensure the multi-billion project is implemented without pressure,”Khamis Chome MP, Voi said.
Despite the missed deadline, lawmakers struck a cautiously optimistic tone after touring the site. They pointed to visible progress and expressed confidence that the project once complete will significantly upgrade Kenya’s ability to host global events.
“The Committee is satisfied that there is value for money in the project which is aimed at transforming Bomas into a world-class facility,” Rashid said.
Behind the construction delays, however, lies a broader ambition. The redevelopment is part of a government plan to establish the Bomas International Convention Centre (BICC), positioning Kenya as a competitive destination for high-level conferences.
For local communities, the project carries additional promise where leaders noted that once operational, the expanded facility is expected to create employment opportunities, particularly for young people.
The PS, Ololtuaa described the redevelopment as a landmark initiative that will significantly boost Kenya’s tourism and conference hosting capacity.
“Once complete, the BICC will position Kenya as a premier destination for high-level national and international events,” he said.
While the delay may be a short-term setback, officials and lawmakers appear aligned in their view that the long-term gains of getting the project right outweigh the urgency of meeting a single event deadline.
