Delegates arrive at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre for the start of the TICAD meeting/MOSES MUOKI
NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 26 – The Tokyo International Conference for Africa Development (TICAD VI) formally kicks off in Nairobi Friday, with more than 10,000 delegates in attendance.
It will be opened by President Uhuru Kenyatta and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who arrived in the country Thursday night.
Ahead of the opening, the Japanese Premier was due address a joint press conference with President Kenyatta at State House to highlight the benefits of the conference to Kenya and the region.
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed says the conference is key in the country’s economic development.
It is the first time the conference is being held outside Japan, which has hosted the last five events.
The decision to host TICAD VI in Nairobi was reached at the last summit in 2013, where it was agreed that the venue of subsequent events would alternate between Japan and Africa.
To facilitate the movement of delegates attending the conference, roads around the Kenyatta International Convention Centre have been closed and motorists urged to use alternative routes.
Kencom bus stop is already closed and commuters have been urged to use the alternative termini provided on Moi Avenue and nearby areas until Sunday.
Other roads closed include Standard Street, Parliament Road, Taifa Road, Harambee Avenue and City Hall Way.
The Nairobi traffic department has directed all heavy commercial vehicles trailers and articulated vehicles, bound for Rift Valley to use the Southern bypass to access their preferred destinations.
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