RESIDENTS in Kisumu yesterday thronged the streets to welcome President Uhuru Kenyatta as he arrived to open the Second Annual Devolution Conference.
This is the first time in two years the President is touring the region. He was received by Kisumu Governor Jack Ranguma, Devolution Cabinet Secretary Anne Waiguru and Kisumu Central MP Ken Obura.
Uhuru launched the slum upgrading project in Nyalenda before opening the Kisumu Huduma Centre at the county headquarters.
He then proceeded to Tom Mboya Labour College to launch the devolution conference. Portraits of the President and Deputy President William Ruto were put on major streets in Kisumu town.
Most traders temporarily closed their shops to receive the head of state. The plane carrying the President landed at the Kisumu International Airport at 10:50am.
Uhuru's entourage proceeded on Oginga Odinga Street to a reception of residents, who had lined up to greet the President.
Some youths positioned themselves on rooftops to get a better glimpse of the procession.
Roads leading into and out of the airport, Nyalenda slums and Tom Mboya Labour College were cleared for the President’s convoy.
Youths carrying twigs and portraits of the President accompanied the convoy on boda bodas as it moved across town to the conference venue.
The President’s convoy then swayed into the town to a warm reception of residents who had lined up to receive him. Uhuru made a stopover in the town's airport last year.
He was on his way to the memorial ceremony for Musalia Mudavadi’s father in neighbouring Vihiga county.