Airbnb Business Booming In Eldoret Ahead Of Devolution Conference: "Studios KSh 8K Per Night Na Hazipatikani"

• Eldoret, which is gearing up for a city status conferment, will host Kenya's eighth Devolution Conference
• President William Ruto, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga are set to make keynote addresses at the event
• The event, which will take place between Tuesday, August 15 and Friday, August 19, at Eldoret Sports Ground, has seen many participants search for accommodation spaces

A scramble for accommodation has intensified in Eldoret and its environs as delegates, government officials and investors head to Uasin Gishu county.

Devolution Conference in Eldoret

The Devolution Conference which brings together leaders and participants from across the 47 counties of Kenya and the national executive takes place bi-annually.

Uasin Gishu was selected to host the eighth Devolution Conference between Tuesday, August 15 and Saturday, August 19.

The event will largely take place at Eldoret Sports Ground according to Uasin Gishu governor Jonathan Bii's Director of Communication Silah Koskei.

TUKO.co.ke established that the event that is expecting to have 10,000 participants has spiked the demand for accommodation spaces in hotels and online marketplace for short-term homestays generally known as Airbnb.

Airbnbs in Eldoret

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Dennis Gicheru, an entrepreneur and founder Tarajiwa Events in Eldoret said that prices for hotel rooms and homestay spaces had more than doubled, with scarcity looming as more people seek places to stay for the five-day event.

"There are houses where they used to charge KSh 4,000 per night that are offering the same space at KSh 15,000. Single rooms that would be at most be KSh 2,000 are being rented at KSh 5,000 per night," he said.

He said the available spaces in Aribnbs were equivalent to charges at four-star hotels like in the area.

"As of today, one bedroom is going for 10,000 for studios, KSh 8,000 for two bedrooms and KSh and between KSh 20,000 and KSh 30,000 for three bedroom houses per night. The prices are high, that is not the problem, the issue is that the houses are no longer easy to find now," explained Gicheru.

Individuals who were seeking to have some homestay experiences in Eldoret will be forced to pay more for the same service or wait until the Devolution Conference is over, reducing the demand and price.

Airbnb business booming in Eldoret

Willy Kasafi, another businessman in Eldoret, said that most of his Airbnb spaces had been booked for over two weeks.

"Hotels are charging over KSh 5,500 per night for a standard room and the spaces are over as we speak. By weekend I was only remaining with a one-bedroom and a two-bedroom," he said.

Gicheru challenged young Eldoret residents with studio apartments and one bedroom houses to put up with friends and make money from their houses for the few days.

"Accommodation is on high demand in Eldoret. Those people living in Pioneer, Kapsoya and the Langas room can convert their apartments into rental spaces. Go put up with friends for three days and make something more," Gicheru said.

President William Ruto, his deputy Rigathi Gachagua and Opposition leader Raila Odinga are expected to make keynote addresses at the event.

Earlier, Azimio la Umoja governors had threatened to boycott the event until Raila's security was reinstated.