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Homa Bay County inaugurated the Lake Victoria Rowing & Livelihoods Academy on January 30, 2025—training youth in competitive rowing, boat repair, eco-tourism guiding, and fish smoking. Funded by the EU Youth Employment Initiative (€1.8M), the center uses recycled plastic boats and solar dryers. The men’s eight qualified for the 2025 African Rowing Champs, while 87 graduates secured jobs in hospitality or started cooperatives. We turned idle time on the lake into income and medals, said director Evans Otieno. The academy also runs Peace Rows with Ugandan and Tanzanian youth. Kenya Rowing Federation aims to enter the Olympics by 2032.