Prof Nyong'o elected UCLG-Africa's Vice President

According to a statement issued by the caucus on Sunday, 70 delegates representing 15 member states of the UCLG-A Eastern Africa Region decided to elect Prof Nyong'o at a meeting last week in Nairobi.

Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, Seychelles, Mauritius, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Sudan, Djibouti, Madagascar, Sudan, Eritrea, and the Comoros are among the member states.

Prof. Nyong'o received support from his predecessor, Mr. Innocent Uwimana, who is also the chairman of the Rwanda Association of Local Government Authorities (RALGA). He said the Kisumu governor has what it takes to be the continental body’s vice president.

Ms Christine Mba Ndutune of Gabon is currently in charge of the presidency.

Hilda Kwamboka, a Mombasa MCA, was also elected chairperson of the African Network of Locally Elected Women's Election Commission.

The caucus was held in advance of the 9th Africities Summit, which will take place in Kisumu from May 17 to 21.

It serves as a vital forum for exchanging ideas about decentralization in Africa, as well as sustainable best practices in local government, with other stakeholders such as ministers, development partners, civil society, and private sector operators.

Mr Oumar Sylla, UN-Habitat's Director for African Office, Ministry of Devolution Principal Secretary, Mr Julius Korir, and UCLG Africa Secretary-General Jean Pierre Elong Mbassi were also in attendance at the caucus.