Kisumu Hosts Riverwoods Gala

By Moses Adongo

Kisumu County is quickly establishing itself as a hive of activity in the region going by the increased number of events it hosts weekly. The immaculate lakeside city has progressively attracted corporates and parastatals, posing a stiff challenge to Nairobi which has for a long time enjoyed the monopoly of event hosting.
Thanks to its expanding executive hotels, serene Lake Victoria, beautiful sunsets, delicious nourishment, bountiful people, night music and the quiet environment, Kisumu has received visitors in growing numbers.
This weekend the hometown of Oscar Award winner Lupita Nyong’o will fire up as it hosts the heavyweights in the Kenyan film industry during this years’ edition of the Riverwoods Awards.
The glamorous gala will be hosted at the Acacia Hotel, one of the latest five-star hotels to have set base in Kisumu. The event will be hyped by one of the most sought-after emcees and also the State House Director of Brand Strategy and Events, Big Ted.
This year’s edition of the Riverwoods Awards, which happens on September 15, 2018, has seen entries increase with participants coming from as far as Rwanda and Uganda. The event has been sponsored by, among others, car dealer DT Dobie and will also receive support from the Machakos County Government under the Machawood Entertainments.
Speaking to the Milele FM’s morning breakfast show hosts, Alex Mwakideu and Mzee Jalang’o Mwenyewe, Kisumu County’s Tourism minister Achieng Alai revealed that the County government had waivered all levies charged on a film shooting in the county. However, she said this was only for a period and was meant to support the talents in the entire country.
Riverwoods Gala Awards was established by Riverwood Ensemble Filmmakers in 2014 to motivate actors in telling the Kenyan story. Over the years, it has seen entries grow with the support of the Kenya Films Association Board.
The event is expected to boost the economy of the country as it will attract a massive number of delegates, event sponsors and even the locals. Hotels in Kisumu town have already registered increased bookings going into the weekend. Entrepreneurs are already restocking as they target a boon in their sales.

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