Women in Homa Bay County steer county's maritime future

In the heart of Kenya’s blue economy, a quiet revolution is unfolding, led by women and powered by dignity.

As Homa Bay County prepares to host the national Madaraka Day celebrations for the first time in history, Governor Gladys Wanga is spotlighting a transformative agenda that places women at the helm of the county’s fisheries sector.

“For the first time, our women have dignified spaces to trade their fish,” said Governor Wanga.

“The fish market gives them an opportunity to work in clean, organized environments that honour their contributions to our economy.”

Thanks to renewed investment and strong partnerships with the national government, Homa Bay has unveiled a state-of-the-art fish market at Koginga Beach along Lake Victoria, alongside 11 upgraded trading centres across the county’s constituencies.

These spaces are designed to be safer, more sanitary and more profitable, especially for women fish traders who have long operated under harsh and unhygienic conditions.

This infrastructure shift is more than just physical; it's symbolic. It is a declaration of intent to place women at the centre of Homa Bay’s growing blue economy.

With 50 percent of Lake Victoria within its borders, Homa Bay is uniquely positioned as the epicentre of Kenya’s aquatic potential, from fisheries and aquaculture to lake transport and tourism.

“Homa Bay is the right place to have a conversation about the blue economy,” said Governor Wanga.

“Agriculture and fisheries are our economic backbone, and our women are at the forefront of these sectors. That’s why this celebration is not just about history, it’s about empowerment.”

The crown jewel of this transformation is the newly commissioned fish market at Koginga, which President William Ruto is expected to officially launch on Friday.

Designed to serve over 2,000 fishmongers, the facility offers clean, organized and dignified working conditions that redefine how business is done at the lakefront.

“This new fish market has a dedicated fish processing area that will play a key role in harnessing maritime resources for economic empowerment,” said Lilian Kieni, Director of Urban Development at the State Department for Housing and Urban Development.

“We are working to ensure mama samaki and other small traders have access to decent and well-serviced trading areas.”

The market includes cold and dry storage rooms to minimize fish spoilage, increasing traders’ income and boosting local and national revenue.

It also features a fish landing shed and mooring deck for fishermen, hygienic trading stalls, gutting and scaling areas, a food court, retail shops and mother-and-child facilities.

The market is disability-friendly, fitted with ramps, proper lighting, sanitation systems and an ICT hub to support digital transactions and financial recordkeeping.

But the Madaraka Day celebrations are about more than just economic milestones, they are also a powerful symbol of healing and unity.

“It is on record that Homa Bay did not vote for President William Ruto, we voted overwhelmingly for Raila Odinga,” Wanga stated candidly.

“But the fact that both leaders are coming together here shows that no part of the country should be left behind, no matter how it voted.”

Under the theme “Our Water, Our Wealth,” Homa Bay will host a series of high-profile events from May 29 to June 1.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki will officially open the Blue Economy Conference, which will feature ODM leader Raila Odinga as chief guest and Rwandan President Paul Kagame as the keynote speaker.

The celebrations will culminate on June 1 with a historic Madaraka Day ceremony led by President Ruto at Homa Bay’s lakefront.

“Seeing both the President and Raila Odinga stand together in Homa Bay will be the biggest symbol of unity,” Wanga said.
“You cannot fault people coming together. You cannot fault the stability of a nation.”

While the cameras will capture speeches and handshakes, the true story will unfold in the fish markets where women are finally trading with dignity, building wealth and shaping Homa Bay’s maritime future from the ground up.

“This Madaraka Day,” said Governor Wanga, “we are not just celebrating freedom. We are celebrating the empowered woman, the stable nation and the blue economy that holds our future.”