By Habil Onyango
The ongoing CHAN tournament hosted by Kenya ,Uganda and Tanzania has exposed Homa Bay as a destination to enjoy watching the games.
The once neglected and delipidated Homa Bay and market, which were an eyesore and aptly captured the state of economy and development in the county, is today a place to be.
The newly development lake front has turned Homa Bay town as an overnight destination and a place to watch football.
It is a new tourism destination and a place yo while time with friends and enjoy the beauty of the sun rising and setting.
It is a beauty within a beauty a destination comparable to others in the developed worlds and the first of it’s kind in the country.
This is one of the pet projects by a president William Ruto to Homa Bay apart from the construction of state lodge.
The amphitheatre apart from exciting the region and other country , it has also caused discomfort in some quarters.
Some leaders have even accused the President of launching several projects in the county despite it not having voted for him in the last general election.
for President Ruto’s administration focus on the lakefront, where several modern facilities have been established or refurbished.
President Ruto’s administration has constructed the first-ever open amphitheater on Kenya’s lakefront, complete with gardens, cycling and walking tracks, boat rides, and a well-designed sunset viewpoint.
During the CHAN quarter -final, Homa Bay residents had the opportunity to watch the match between Harambee Stars and Madagascar on a mounted TV screen at the venue.
According to Internal Security Permanent Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo, President Ruto’s declaration of “Kusema na kutenda” (to speak and act) is manifesting at the Homa Bay lakefront, where promises have been transformed into action.
“The transformation unfolding on the shores of Lake Victoria highlights a government that delivers on its commitments, reshaping communities through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” Omollo stated on his Facebook page.
At the heart of this regeneration is the state-of-the-art Homa Bay Fish Market, which is now fully operational and hosting more than 2,000 traders. Dr. Omollo remarked that fishmongers are no longer forced to operate from makeshift sheds lacking amenities.
He emphasized that the market is equipped with modern storage, sanitation, and trading facilities, making it a true hub of commerce.
“For the fisherfolk, traders, and buyers, it has brought dignity, order, and efficiency to a sector that supports thousands of livelihoods,” he noted.
“Adjacent to it, the revived Homa Bay Pier is a crucial component in driving the region’s economic development.” Said Dr. Omollo.
Omollo revealed that the once-neglected pier has been renovated, allowing it to accommodate cargo vessels, passenger ferries, and tourist boats.
“This revival connects Homa Bay to wider trade networks, seamlessly linking it with other towns around the lake and beyond,” he added.
The PS pointed out that the fish market drives trade and secures livelihoods, while the pier fosters commerce and connectivity. The amphitheater promotes tourism, generating jobs and revenue in the process.
“As these facilities attract more traders, investors, and tourists, an influx of people into the town is inevitable,” he said.
Omollo emphasized that this is where the government’s foresight comes into play, particularly through the Homa Bay Affordable Housing Project (APH), which is now complete and facilitating occupancy to alleviate accommodation pressure. This ensures that growth in trade and tourism is matched by the development of livable housing.
“The broader picture is compelling. What is happening at the Homa Bay lakefront is much more than local regeneration. It signifies a national transformation, reflecting Kenya’s commitment to the Blue Economy—harnessing water resources for food security, jobs, trade, and tourism,” he said.
“It serves as a model of how government projects, when thoughtfully integrated, can multiply impacts and generate benefits that extend far beyond their immediate areas,” the PS concluded.
“From the lakefront to livelihoods, from trade to tourism, and from housing to human dignity, the government is delivering for the people of Homa Bay!”
