Tourism CS Malonza tours Lake Victoria ahead of fish fiesta festival

Tourism Cabinet Secretary Peninah Malonza is leading a team of stakeholders on a tour of Lake Victoria ahead of the celebration of the 2023 Fish Fiesta in Kisumu.

The CS accompanied by Kisumu Deputy Governor Mathews Owili and Country Tourism CEC Faridah Salim first arrived at the Kisumu Marrine School where he toured the facility.

She then left for the Kisumu Port for the lake excursion which targets to explore the available opportunities to position Lake Victoria as a key tourist attraction site.

The tour sponsored by Water Bus comes as the government moves to revive lake transport and leisure tourism.

The tour kicked off at the received Kisumu port then to Maboko Island then to Hippo Point where the mega event will be held.

Fish Fiesta is a signature event organized by the County Government of Kisumu through the Department of Trade, Tourism, Industry and Marketing (DTTIM) under the Marketing Campaign Kisumu My Pride, which aims to promote and position the county as a tourism, trade and Investment hub.

The Marketing Campaign also seeks to protect and conserve Kisumu's biggest attraction and resource - Lake Victoria.

Through the Save Lake Victoria campaign, the county seeks to aggressively engage in beach clean-ups, reduce plastic pollution and enhance marine conservation efforts of the lake through various events and initiatives.

The Signature Event further seeks to provide alternative income through product diversification, for people living around the lake.

The department, therefore, will further be hosting different activities including Miss Tourism, Mr Tourism, Mr Flex, Mr Strong, a Boat Race, Exhibitions, Lakefront Cleanups, Kids Fun Fair, Entertainments, Fire Works, Tug of War, Photo Contest, workshops and symposia.

Kisumu County’s strategic advantage largely depends on Lake Victoria.

But the lake is constantly threatened by plastic pollution, water hyacinth and dwindling fish stocks.

The lake is also crucial for marine transport, water sports, climate/weather moderation as well as a water reservoir for Agriculture, Industry as well as domestic use.