Homa Bay County has undergone a remarkable transformation, positioning itself as a key player in Kenya’s blue economy and maritime affairs. Once a quiet lakeside town, Homa Bay now boasts significant infrastructure upgrades, including the modern K’oginga Fish Market, which provides women traders with dignified working conditions free from harmful smoke. Complementing this is the construction of 110 affordable housing units by the National Housing Corporation, offering scenic lakefront living and economic opportunities for residents. These developments reflect the county’s growing economic potential under the leadership of Governor Gladys Wanga and support from national agencies.
The county’s infrastructure overhaul extends to education, transport, and sports. Tom Mboya University has expanded from a small farmers’ college to a university with over 8,000 students, now offering specialised courses in the blue economy. The newly upgraded Raila Odinga Stadium can host over 12,000 spectators, and the Homa Bay pier, reconstructed at a cost of over Sh600 million, improves lake transport, cutting travel time to Kisumu and Uganda. These projects integrate into a broader vision for Homa Bay, linking housing, commerce, and transport to create a cohesive urban and economic ecosystem that benefits residents and investors alike.
The county’s maritime sector continues to drive economic growth, with cage farming and aquaculture producing 27,000 tonnes of fish valued at Sh8.7 billion annually, a figure expected to rise significantly in the medium and long term. Support from the Kenya Shipyard Agency and local Beach Management Units has enhanced fishing efficiency and market access, empowering over 100,000 BMU members. With strategic investments in water transport, MSME development, and the blue economy, Homa Bay is not only enhancing livelihoods but also cementing its role as a critical regional hub for trade and sustainable development.