Migori County is on a mission to open up its water transport route to boost its socio economic status within the Lake Basin Region.
According to Migori County Chief Officer for Fisheries and Blue Economy George Ochola, Migori will soon ensure that the Lake’s water body is effectively utilised.
Ochola said that much of the Lake’s water that borders the county along the coastline of Nyatike sub county is underutilized with the only activity happening at the World’s Largest Tropical Lake within our county borders being fishing leaving the majority of activities like water sporting, tourism, trade, and transport untapped.
He noted that there were a lot of activities that the Lake could offer but the residents have been reduced to only fishing leaving out the most lucrative transport sector that could help the county generate revenue as well as open up our tourism sector.
“Majority of Migori residents from Muhuru bay in Nyatike Sub County are forced to travel all the way to Migori Town on their transit to Kisumu. By opening up water transport, the residents of Muhuru will be able to transit to Mbita and then proceed to Kisumu within shortest time possible,” Ochola said that
He acknowledged that in addition to saving transportation costs and time, the journey will be more enjoyable as compared to road transport.
The official noted that the county administration was willing to help the local residents open up businesses, water recreation, and tourism sector through water transport.
“For the first time since devolution, we have created a county directorate for fisheries and blue economy to specifically address matters concerning Lake Victoria waters and the fishing industry,” noted Ochola.
Already, counties like Homa Bay and Siaya have water transport routes that have linked the mainland to island destinations easing transportation costs, time, and trade. The most common water route being the one from Mbita town and Luanda K’otieno in Siaya county en route to Kisumu Port.
Another well-defined water route in Lake Victoria includes the Bunyala route in Busia County to Sigulu Island in Uganda.
According to Ochola, if water transport could be realised, the fishing industry would hugely reap from their business, especially those that practice fish cage farming.
In recent times, fish cage farming has become a lucrative business that has seen the majority of fishermen within the county shifting from the traditional mode of fishing.
By Geoffrey Makokha
