Uhuru’s Stay at Little Gem Resort in Siaya County.

60 Year Old Frank Otieno was beyond excited to host the former president Uhuru Kenyatta in his Little Gem Resort in Dudi,Gem  sub-county in Siaya County on Friday at 9:30am.Mr Kenyatta’s arrival caught Mr Ochieng flat-footed — excited, for sure, but anxious because he was wondering whether his ‘small’ hotel would meet the  president’s VIP’s standards.

“I was very excited and surprised at the same time, and taken aback because I did not know the protocol on how to take care of the President,’’he said 

The chopper landing at Little Gem was the culmination of three days of planning, numerous phone calls and text messaging. An advance team had arrived on Thursday, surveyed the hotel and ensured everything was ready for their boss.

And on Friday at 9.30 am, Mr Kenyatta landed aboard the black helicopter, ahead of the arrival of the body of Prof Magoha that Friday, and the burial on Saturday, February 11.

On Wednesday last week, Mr Otieno received a call from the former President’s personal assistant, who consulted about the hotel's capacity, menu and whether it had a helipad. Up until Thursday, he only knew that a VIP guest was coming.

On Thursday night, he was told to cancel  bookings since the entire facility was taken over by the former President’s team until Sunday afternoon.

Once he landed, the former president mingled freely with the staff and guests around the hotel.

Whereas Mr Kenyatta had his own chefs, housekeeper and other staff in his entourage, they worked closely with the hotel staff preparing his room, food and drinks

“I made him oats for breakfast, samosa and mishkaki, while for dinner we prepared grilled chicken, deep fried tilapia, ugali and chips. I have never made food for such a prominent person and it was a good feeling when he said he enjoyed the food,” said a chef, a Ms Moraa.

The former President spent Friday night at the hotel, and on Saturday, after the funeral, accompanied Opposition leader Raila Odinga for roadside rallies in Luanda, Vihiga County, and at Uhuru Business Park in Kisumu.

The former president stayed in Room 3, on the second floor of the resort. It is an executive suite with two bedrooms, a lounge, a kitchen and a dining area.

Mr Kenyatta addressed the staff, who were really excited to meet him before he flew back to Nairobi after his two day stay at the Resort,thanking them for their hospitality. 

The hotel started small in 2016 as a bar and restaurant project of Mr Otieno and his late wife, but the need for accommodation led to its expansion. 

The bed capacity now stands at 40, comprising standard rooms, executive suites and hotel room apartments whose prices range from Sh6,000 to Sh25,000.There is also a bar, restaurant, garden and swimming pool where guests can cool off from the heat characteristic of the area.

Siaya County governor James Orengo  said the whole world was now turning its attention to the country’s Western Circuit for tourism, which is competing with beaches at the Coast and safari in the Rift Valley.

“This is a testimony that Siaya hotels are capable of hosting high-profile guests. We have untapped potential that if exploited to the fullest will spur the economic fortune of this region,” said Mr Orengo.