MWAURA: Blue economy and maritime affairs have raised Homa Bay’s potential

The shift in policy to have national celebrations happen in various counties across the country has really benefited the hosts in that more often than not, a whole stadium is built for them, over and above the development of other key infrastructural projects such as roads and water systems. It’s true to say that indeed, counties such as Kericho have a completely new stadium, despite the county having been associated with sports before.

This year’s, Madaraka Day celebrations are being held in Homa Bay, a county that only a few years ago looked like an outpost for the city of Kisumu. Today, the aerial view of the once sleepy town has changed so significantly, thanks to the transformation that has happened; absolutely phenomenal. I remember visiting the county way back in 2014, as part of the then Mutava Musyimi-led Budget and Appropriations Committee. The county then didn’t have a well-defined CBD, and many roads were in a pathetic situation. The main road construction then was the C19 that traversed the two Suba constituencies and beyond.

Today, thanks to the visionary leadership of President William Ruto, Homa Bay county has really transformed with huge infrastructural projects such as the Tom Mboya University which only some few years ago was a small farmers’ college. The university led by the visionary Prof Charles Ochola, has more than 8,000 students and is now specialising in blue economy courses, and exports market, for both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. The university immortalises the great leader Tom Mboya who was assassinated during Kenya’s first administration.

The upcoming city now has a complete stadium aptly named Raila Odinga that is now able to host more than 12,000 people at a go, and will be the venue for this year’s Madaraka Day celebrations. There is also the new county headquarters, well located to modernise the county government’s public service delivery, thus making residents to enjoy their taxes in a central location that is convenient for all. The town now has a state lodge, newly constructed and fully furnished for the celebrations. This will be the venue for this year’s garden party. Not far from there, there is the Homa Bay pier, a mini port that has been reconstructed at a cost of more than 600 million. This will enable lake transport for both goods and services to be easier. The potential for this is exemplified by the fact that the journey to Kisumu can be cut by more than one hour, and so is going to Uganda, taking less than three hours as well. Kenya occupies only six per cent of Lake Victoria, with Homa Bay county (A name derived from the Huma Hills) occupying more than 80 per cent of the lake’s beachfront.

The K’oginga fish market is now complete and ready for use by the women, who now have dignity, without having to lose their eyesight due to the incessant smoke. It’s part of a great ecosystem that connects to the affordable housing units that have been built by the National Housing Corporation, under the able leadership of David Mathu, the indefatigable CEO.

The 110 units are up for grabs, in a very serene environment, complete with a promenade to the lake.  The houses have a very good lakeview, and provide an ambient environment to raise one’s family. Lillian, a food vendor at the construction site, tells me of how the project has enabled her to make about Sh3,000 a day, thus being able to educate her two sons who are now in high school. As a single mother of three, she remains hopeful that such projects should be initiated in other parts of the county, for others to benefit.

The government is committed to ensuring that the blue economy and maritime affairs play a critical role in the advancement of the Beta plan agenda. This means that in the MSME pillar, the construction of markets such as K’oginga will empower so many Kenyans of all walks of life. Further, the lake transport business is largely unexplored in the region, and investment in water buses and other commuter and cargo vessels will go a long way in making a difference to the lives of the residents. The Kenya Shipyard Agency is now able to construct an affordable motorised fibre boat for about 1.5 million, something that is beneficial to the many fishermen from the region.

Overall, the cage farming and aquaculture business produces 27,000 tonnes of fish worth more than Sh8.7 billion. However, this can go up to 32 billion in the medium term, and more than Sh250 billion in the long run. The government has been able to construct 23 of the 77 landing sites across the republic. The 450 beach management units (BMUs), with more than 100,000 members are critical in ensuring that the blue economy and maritime affairs sectors attain their full potential. Interior PS Raymond Omollo and Governor Gladys Wanga have done a good job in pushing for development projects to their people including the now expanded Kabunde airstrip.

Wabiiro Homa Bay!!

Happy Madaraka Day 2025