Homabay Investment Handbook

INVEST IN HOMA BAY COUNTY OF ENDLESS POTENTIAL

Foreword

Homa Bay County has positioned itself to take leadership role in the Kenya’s investments space. The county is strategically located within the Great Lakes of Africa and the Lakes Region County Economic Block that makes it a natural commercial hub for the region. The county is advantaged by its proximity and coverage of the largest part of the Lake Victoria shores, a position that allows potential investors to tap into the larger population within the East African Community and COMESA

The County Government is operating under the general direction of Kenya’s Vision 2030, Big Four Agenda, County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) (2023 – 2028) and other development initiatives and policy frameworks guiding social, economic and political development in Kenya. The Big Four Agenda prioritizes universal and affordable health care, food security, manufacturing, and affordable housing to all its citizens by year 2022.

Indeed, the CIDP gives the road map to achieve the county’s vision of “A wealthy, healthy County living in Harmony with the Environment”. In order to realize this vision, the county government has identified priority investment projects that will require the participation and pulling together of resources from both the public and private sectors. As a government, we have focused and are still committed to creating an enabling business and investment environment that is geared towards promoting private sector participation in the county by opening up new roads, beefing up electricity and internet connectivity and provision of clean water to the residents of Homa Bay County. My government has also ensured that peace and tranquility is guaranteed as we work in harmony with the National government to ensure a peaceful coexistence amongst our citizens.

Homa Bay County boasts of a number of attractive investment offerings, including its strategic location along the shores of Lake Victoria with a shoreline of over 200kms, 17 scenic Islands, close proximity and connection by Lake to several strategic towns along the Lake Victoria shoreline such as Kisumu, Mwanza, Bukoba, Busia and Jinja. The county is also home to Ruma National Park that is home to the rare Roan antelope.

In addition to convention al investments, the County has an unprecedented rich array of novel investment opportunities across the various sectors and has planned for setting up highly attractive special economic zones and Industrial Parks accompanied with special investment incentives. The Government thus welcomes all investors to our beautiful County, an ideal destination for investment, trade and tourism. To investors, be assured that our government will do everything necessary to help you reap maximum returns for your investment.

The major focus for Homa Bay County Government is to spur economic growth, generate employment opportunities to absorb the large number of the unemployed, particularly the youth, and reduce poverty levels. The County Government is convinced that economic growth is the primary vehicle through which it can achieve improved provision of public services.

The County through the Investment and Development Corporation Board is a crucial body that will steer generation of quality investments that are necessary to transform Homa Bay County into a world class hub of investment and living. In our strategic economic plan, we plan to achieve a number of investments to foster sustainable growth and economic stability in the County. This we intend to achieve through focused, constructive and harmonized promotional activities.

We welcome all investors from the region and around the world to take advantage of the business, investment and social development (welfare) opportunities available in Homa Bay County.

Karibu!

H.E Hon Gladys Nyasuna Wanga, CBS. Governor, Homa Bay County

The devolved system of government has opened up the rural areas of Kenya with Homa Bay county emerging as the new frontier for tourism and investment in not only western region in Kenya but in East Africa due to its strategic location and occupation of 80% of the Kenyan waters in Lake Victoria. The economy of the county is largely agricultural with vast opportunities available in agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, energy, real estate and services.

I want to assure our investors, both local and foreign, that Homa Bay is open and safe for doing business. Our government is implementing measures aimed at ensuring political and economic stability- which are the key pillars of long-term prosperity of any county. In addition, the county government is developing infrastructure including transport and stabilizing and increasing connectivity to power to make our county more globally competitive.

The county government welcomes all investors to our beautiful county Homa Bay; an ideal destination for investment, trade and tourism. To all investors, be assured that our government will do everything necessary to help you reap maximum returns for your investment.

This booklet contains viable investment opportunities and bankable investment projects for private – public partnerships, concessional projects, joint ventures and sole proprietors. I assure all investors of necessary government support.

My department is indebted to the Office of the Governor and the entire staff for their financial support and technical expertise that has made this publication possible. I also wish to thank the entire county team including the County Executive Committee Members, Chief Officers, Directors, County LREB Coordination Committee and all technical staff for their invaluable contribution to this investment portfolio.

Hon. Polycarp Okombo County Executive Committee Member, Trade, Investments, Industrialization, Cooperative Development and Tourism

Table of content

1. Foreword

2. Preface

3. Government structure

4. Historical background

5. Investing in Kenya

6. Investing in Homa Bay

7. Homabay County flagship investment projects under SEZ

8. Homabay County flagship investment projects under PPP

9. Investment projects under strategic partnership/joint ventures

10. Other potential investment opportunities

11. Conclusion

Quick Facts about Homa Bay

Population: HBC has a population of 1,138,089 growing at 1.6% per annum compared to national average of 2.28%. Population density stands at 359 people per square kilometer and Life expectancy at birth in Homa Bay County average 58 years. Age distribution 0-14 years (44.5%), 15-64 years (51.1%), & 65+ years (4.4%)

Area Coverage (Km2): Constitute of 2,696 km2 of land area and the largest freshwater lake in Africa of surface area 1,227 Km2

Climate/Weather: Temperatures range from a mean annual minimum of 17.1°C to a mean maximum of 34.8°C, with annual rainfall ranging 700mm and 800mm per annum.

Key Resource potential: Water, Arable Land, Livestock, Pasture, Wildlife, building and construction materials such as sand, stones

Main Economic Activities/industries: Fishing and Fish Trade, Farming, Livestock-keeping, Sand Harvesting, Retail and Wholesale Trade

Agricultural products: Maize, Millet, Cassava, Sweet Potatoes, Sunflower, Beans, Sorghum, Sugarcane, horticulture

Main Tourist Attractions: Ruma National Park, Winam Gulf of Lake Victoria, Rusinga and Mfangano Islands, Kanjera Archaeological site, Volcanic Lake Simbi Nyaima in Karachuonyo, Mt. Homa, Tom Mboya Mausoleum and Oyugis Birds Sanctuary.

Financial Institutions: The County hosts 5 Commercial Banks (ABSA Bank, Kenya Commercial Bank, Cooperative Bank, Post Bank and Equity Bank), 11 Micro-Finance Institutions and over 50 Cooperative Societies). Diamond Trust Bank is also due to open its first branch in the County in due course.

Education: HBC is home to some of the top National schools in the country. There are 1,089 primary schools enrolling 300,000 students with a teacher pupil ratio of 1:45. There are 312 secondary schools with an enrolment of 120,000 students. The County also hosts 15 youth polytechnics and 4 tertiary institutions with an enrolment of 70,000 students

Health: The County has 264 health facilities out of which 230 are public, 25 are FBO/NGO and 45 private.

Endless Potential

History

Known initially as Chich Onuno, the county was renamed Homa Bay in 1925 by colonialists. It derived its name from the Huma Hills in Karachuonyo. Homa Bay County comprises eight sub-counties: Mbita, Ndhiwa, Homa Bay Town, Rangwe, Karachuonyo, Kabondo, Kasipul, and Suba.

Homa Bay is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, primarily shaped by the Luo community. The Luo people have a vibrant tradition, including music, dance, storytelling, and craftsmanship. Traditional Luo music, characterized by the rhythmic beats of the nyatiti (a stringed instrument) and the melodic tones of the nyangile (a flute-like instrument), reflects the community’s rich cultural identity. The county is also famous for the annual Luo festival, a celebration of Luo culture that brings together people from different parts of the county and beyond. This colourful event showcases traditional dances, music performances, art exhibitions, and culinary delights, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of the Luo people.

Geography

Homa Bay County is located in the southern part of Nyanza, Kenya. It covers an area of 3,183.3 square kilometers and shares borders with Lake Victoria region counties of; Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, and Kisumu. The county is easily accessible by lake transport, road, and air. Homa Bay Town, the county headquarters, is approximately 105 kilometers south of Kisumu and 420 kilometers southwest of Nairobi.

The county’s administrative headquarters is in Homa Bay Town, a bustling urban centre that serves as a gateway to the region’s wonders.

The area has a rich history, with archaeological findings suggesting human settlements dating back thousands of years. The Luo community, one of Kenya’s largest ethnic groups, predominantly inhabits Homa Bay County. The county is named after the “Ruma Kaho,” a Luo phrase meaning “red ochre,” which refers to the red soil found in the area.

Economy of the County

Homa Bay County’s economy is primarily based on agriculture and fisheries. However, there are untapped opportunities for growth in other sectors, including:

Agri-business:

The County has the potential for agri-business ventures, utilizing its fertile land and favourable climate.

Mining: There are untapped mining resources within the county, providing opportunities for investment and development.

Tourism:

Homa Bay has promising tourism potential, with its natural attractions, cultural heritage, and the opportunity for ecotourism and cultural tourism.

People of Homa Bay

Homa Bay County is an ethnically homogenous county inhabited by the Luo community. However, there are a few tribes like Abasuba-speaking people in Suba South and other ethnic communities found within the major urban centres like Oyugis, Kendu Bay, and Homa Bay municipality. The County’s capital is situated in Homa Bay municipality, which is also the most significant urban centre in terms of population. The major economic activities are agriculture (livestock, crop production, and fisheries), medium and small-size trade, mining, and quarrying, among others.

Major Towns / sub-counties

Major towns are; Homa Bay town, kindu bay, Oyugis, Mbita and Ndhiwa while Sub counties: Kabondo Kasipul, Kasipul, Karachuonyo, Mbita, Ndhiwa, Rangwe, Homa Bay Town, and Suba. With 40 electoral wards.

Major Towns / Counties / other Countries accessible through Homa Bay.

Homa Bay Town, the Capital of Homa Bay County, is located midpoint between Mwanza-Tanzania (383 Km) and Kisumu - Kenya (111Km): the two East African cities. The town is well connected to the rest of Kenya and other East African countries by roads, water and by air. Kabunde Airstrip gives the County preferential access to some of the largest local markets in the country which are then interconnected to international airports and finally to the largest markets in the world- the United Arabs Emirates (UAE) and Europe. This Airstrip runs three flights in a week to the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport further linking it to USA, Canada, Europe and South America.

Endless Potential

GOVERNMENT STRUCTURE

Kenya is a presidential representative democratic republic, in which elected officials represent the people and the president is the head of state and government. However, following the 2010 constitutional promulgation, the constitution continues to address longstanding geographical, demographic, and historical human rights violations. Additionally, certain functions of the National Government have been devolved to 47 County Governments. Kenya is a member of the United Nations (UN), the Commonwealth of Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund (IMF), Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), International Criminal Court (ICC), and other international organizations.

The National Government is headed by the President of the Republic while County Governments are headed by respective Governors assisted by their deputies. The functions and powers of the county Government include agriculture, County health services, control of air pollution, noise pollution, other public nuisances, cultural activities and public entertainment, county transport, animal control and welfare, trade development and regulation, county planning and development, county public works and services, pre-primary education and village polytechnics and implementation of specific national government policies on natural resources and environmental conservation. Key functions at County level are headed by County Executive Committee members assisted by Chief Officers. The County has an assembly which is the custodian and steward of legislative aspects of the County operations. Since 2013, various laws have been passed by county governments pertaining to these areas of responsibility. These laws are meant to protect the interests of the County Government and the investors.

Homa Bay County Government 2023-2027 plan takes into account National, Regional, and Global development agendas, including the Global targets in the current Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Agenda 2063 of the African Union and the National Long-term Vision 2030 and its Fourth Medium Term Plan (MTP 4) of the Kenya Kwanza Government, and the Budget Policy Statement. The alignment and linkage of the CIDP 2023 - 2027 to these development frameworks is critical as it provides essential benchmarks to Homa Bay County own development agenda.

VISION/MISSION OF THE COUNTY

Vision: The vision of the County government is to have “A Healthy and Wealthy County Living in Harmony with the Environment” Mission: The mission of the County government is to “Transform Homa Bay County into the Best County to Live, Invest and Work” to achieve this, the County Government has provided development priorities and strategies that would drive the county back to a sustainable growth and recovery path.

Statement on Ethics, Integrity, and Core Values

The County subscribes to core values of Service delivery, integrity, accountability, transparency, participation, and transformational leadership

Endless Potential

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Heritage

Known initially as Chich Onuno, the county was renamed Homa Bay in 1925 by colonialists. It derived its name from the Huma Hills in Karachuonyo. Homa Bay County comprises eight sub-counties: Mbita, Ndhiwa, Homa Bay Town, Rangwe, Karachuonyo, Kabondo, Kasipul, and Suba.

Homa Bay is a treasure trove of cultural heritage, primarily shaped by the Luo community. The Luo people have a vibrant tradition, including music, dance, storytelling, and craftsmanship. Traditional Luo music, characterized by the rhythmic beats of the nyatiti (a stringed instrument) and the melodic tones of the nyangile (a flute-like instrument), reflects the community’s rich cultural identity.

The county is also famous for the annual Luo festival, a celebration of Luo culture that brings together people from different parts of the county and beyond. This colorful event showcases traditional dances, music performances, art exhibitions, and culinary delights, offering visitors a chance to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture of the Luo people.

Physical and Natural Features

The County is divided into two main relief regions, namely the lakeshore lowlands and the upland plateau with a number of rivers, namely Awach Kibuon, Awach Tende, Maugo, Kuja, Rangwe and Riana Rivers, most of which originate from Kisii and Nyamira counties. The climate is inland equatorial, with temperatures ranging from a mean annual minimum of 17.1°C to a mean maximum of 34.8°C, with rainfall amounts of between 250mm and 700mm per annum.

Physical and Topographic Features

Homa Bay County is divided into two main relief regions: the lakeshore lowlands and the upland plateau. The lakeshore low- lands lie between 1,163 – 1,219 meters above sea level and comprise a narrow stretch bordering Lake Victoria, especially in the northern parts of the County. The upland plateau starts at 1,219 meters above sea level and has an undulating surface resulting from an ancient plain’s erosion. It is characterized by residual highlands such as Gwassi and Ngorome hills in Suba, Gembe and Ruri Hills in Mbita, Wire Hills in Kasipul, and Homa hills in Karachuonyo. Kodera forest in Kasipul and the Kanyamwa escarpment that runs along the borders of Ndhiwa and Mbita, also form part of the upland plateau. To the west of the County lies the Lambwe Valley, where Ruma National park is located. The County is dissected by a number of rivers, namely Awach Kibuon, Awach Tende, Maugo, Kuja, Rangwe, and Riana Rivers, most of which originate from Kisii and Nyamira counties. There are also several seasonal rivers and streams that originate from the highlands within the County. The County has 16 islands with unique fauna and flora and an impressive array of physiographic features with great aesthetic value as well as breath-taking scenery and forested landscape, particularly those around the islands and the coast of Lake Victoria and a peninsula like Sikri of Mbita sub-county.

Historical landmarks - Archipelago of Islands in Suba North, Mbita-Rusinga Bridge, Lambwe Valley, Homa Bay Hills, Kendubay/Homabay/Kowuor, Mbita & Mfangano Piers, Sugarcane plantations of Ndiwa, etc

• Places of attraction- Ruma National Park, Simbi Nyaima, sandy beaches along the county’s coastal stretch, Omena City, Tom Mboya Mausoleum

• HOMA BAY malls and markets

INVESTING IN KENYA

Economic Environment

Kenya is the largest and most advanced economy in East and Central Africa. The Country’s GDP accounts for more than 50 percent of the region’s total, and its 2022 GDP stood at 110.35 billion dollars in current market prices.

The Government of Kenya recognizes the critical role investments play in economic development and realizing Vision 2030 objectives. To this end, Kenya has streamlined business licensing regimes and adopted online investment facilitation portals to ensure faster registration and approval of new investment projects. These changes led to an improvement for Kenya in the World Bank Group’s Doing Business Report, 2020, where Kenya’s rank improved from 61 to 56 out of 190 economies in the ease of doing business.

Kenya’s investment environment is fully liberalized. Foreign investors can invest up to 100% ownership, except in securities, insurance, power and lighting and any other identified sectors by the government that may be deemed to pose a security risk to the country. Sustainable growth and development are feasible by promoting local and foreign investments. One of the most significant changes in Kenya’s recent history is the enactment of the Constitution in 2010. Since the new Constitution was passed, over 300 new statutes have been enacted. This flurry of new and modernized legislation has changed the investment regulatory system significantly.

Notably, Kenya’s tech start-up ecosystem is often touted as a success for other nations to emulate. Kenya’s start-ups are consistently among the leaders in attracting investment among the continent’s countries. Kenyans are well-connected to the web, and the internet is the fastest on the continent. Kenya is home to the

Political Overview/Stability perspective

Kenya is a presidential representative democratic republic, in which elected officials represent the people and the president is the head of state and government. Since promulgation of Kenya Constitution 2010, the country has held successive peaceful elections that have smooth power transition, peace and tranquility .

Economic Perspectives

The IMF and World Bank in 2019-2022 reported Kenya as one of the fastest-growing economies within Sub-Saharan Africa. The country’s economic growth averaged 5.7 percent due to factors including strong macroeconomic environment, investor confidence, and a stable service sector. The Kenyan government is currently pursuing the Vision 2030, the country’s development blueprint covering the years 2008 to 2030. The Vision 2030 aims at turning Kenya into a “Middle income economy in providing high quality life for all its citizens by the year 2030”

Ease of Doing Business

Improving the ease of doing business has been a priority for the Kenyan government. The World Bank Group’s doing Business Report, 2020 ranked Kenya 56th (previously 61st) out of 190 economies in the ease of doing business. The country ranked 1st in protecting minority investors (previously 11th), 4th in credit (access previously 8th), and 50th in resolving insolvency (previously 57th).

Capital Markets

Kenya has one of the most vibrant capital markets in Africa. As of July 2021, the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) had 62 listed companies classified into 8 sectors. The Capital Market Authority (CMA), the regulator of the Kenya capital markets, has developed and is implementing the Capital Markets Master plan (2013-2023), which aims at turning Kenya into the heart of capital markets.

Regional Body Membership

Kenya is part of the East African Community, together with Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and South Sudan. The members of the EAC entered into a Common Market Protocol (the Protocol), with effect from July 2010 and steps are being undertaken to realize its full implementation. Kenya is also among the 21 members of the Common Market for East and Southern Africa (COMESA), which opens up the way for trade across Eastern and Southern Africa for nearly 583 million people, or about half of Africa’s total population. These memberships enable investors to access much broader markets.

(g) Investment Incentives

Kenya provides investment incentives under EPZ, SEZ where business-enabling policies are implemented with sector-appropriate on-site and off-site infrastructure and being provided by the Kenyan Government. Further, Kenya provides an array of tax incentives

INVESTING IN HOMA BAY COUNTY

Unique Location

HBC is centrally and strategically located within the Great Lakes of Africa and the Lakes Region County Economic Block that makes it a natural commercial hub for the region. The county is advantaged by its proximity and coverage of the largest part of the Lake Victoria shores, largest fresh water lake in Africa and a position that allows potential investors to tap into the larger population availed by the East African Community and COMESA.

Is an attractive investment destination, with competitive costs of doing business on account of connectivity and readily available and accessible markets in neighboring counties and East and Central Africa.

It has access to adequate high potential land tenure system that is Government, trust and privately owned. The land is available to buy, lease or depending on the sectorial selection and position.

The county has rapidly growing urban centres and towns. The upgrade of these towns to municipal status has facilitated development, enabling various sectorial opportunities.

The conducive weather and climatic conditions in addition to supportive socio-cultural diversities in the county provides opportunities in agriculture, horticulture, tourism, mining, power production, ICTs, Industrialization and Infrastructure upgrading. Availability of educated population and skilled personnel to support production, trade and financial sectors in the county.

Strategic geographical location of the county provides an easy access to the western Kenya Tourism circuit that despites limited exploitation avails several breath taking scenic sites and cultural spots in the region. There is a need to develop this tourism circuit to be included in other parts of the country in providing global-standard tourism products. Similar to other parts of Kenya, HBC offers a fully liberalized economy devoid of exchange or price controls. Moreover, residents and none residents enjoy unlimited access to both domestic and foreign borrowing. Being part of a liberalized economy, in addition to the 2010 constitution on separation of powers between the National Government and County Government that provides broad based political stability. These developments support a conducive investor relationship building environment for Government, private sector, civil society and development partners.

Gross County Product (GCP)

Gross County Product (GCP) is defined as a geographic breakdown of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) that gives an estimate of the size and structure of the 47 county economies. It also provides a benchmark for evaluating the growth of county economies over time. Homabay county GCP at 2021 is Kes122Billion: compared to surrounding counties’ GCP. Kisumu Kes 249B, Siaya Kes. 106B, Kisii Kes 199B, Nyamira Kes. 118B and Migori Kes. 121B

Availability of factors of production

The County is endowed with fertile land, skilled and semi-skilled manpower coupled with access to credit from reputable financial institutions resident in the county.

National Government Intervention in Homa Bay County

The county has access to funding from the National government in addition to legal support for expedited business registration and access to Support Mechanisms by the National Government for Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) projects. These include viability gap funding, fiscal commitment, and contingent liability.

Homa Bay County Government Ease of Doing Business Intervention.

To support investments, the county has in place: enabling Legal and Regulatory Services, County Government Levies incentives, County Government Ease of doing business-turnaround time for acquisition of various business licenses and availability of information on Business Opportunities in the County.

Business enabling Environment and Investment promotion activities (HBCIDB)

Among enabling business incentives include; business cooperation and business start-up services; provision of information about the domestic investment within the institutional framework, provision of information about the domestic laws and cultural customs; assistance in securing permits and licenses from County and national authorities; ease of access to information; providing assistance in the location of Greenfield and site options according to specific requirements; maintaining an investment database and excellent investor relations; providing assistance in obtaining investment incentives; promoting business linkages and facilitating business-friendly synergies through initiatives that encourage relations between domestic supplier companies and other local partners. The County also has Investment Enablers which include transport and communication networks, enabling legislation and policies, access to land, adequacy and stability in power supply, good financial governance, security & safety.

HOMABAY COUNTY FLAGSHIP INVESTMENT PROJECTS UNDER SEZ

Riwa SEZ

Riwa SEZ in Homa Bay County aims at driving economic growth by stimulating economic activities and attracting investments. It incorporates Commercial, residential, hospitality and industrial investment opportunities. Among the areas of investment identified for Riwa SEZ include Agriculture and Livestock Development, Housing, Trade and Industry, Tourism, Forestry, Energy and Natural Resources, Water & Sanitation, Education & ICT, Governance, Administration and Communication . Siting on 532 acres of land touching the lake, 4kilometres from the tarmacked road, its industrial arm incorporates an Aggregation Park. The Aggregation Park, which is farmer-centric and export oriented, will ensure small scale farmers and producers contribute to aggregation, marketing and export of produce processed there. The SEZ will generate new business opportunities, create jobs and enhance overall economic prosperity. It will facilitate industrial diversification by attracting a range of industries and businesses. In addition, it will spur the development of industrial infrastructure. Its Aggregation Park will facilitate convenient establishment of business concerns across sectors and sizes. Projects under SEZ can be undertaken under PPP, Joint Venture, or Strategic Partnership.

Homa Bay Lake Front and Associated Amenities:

The County's blue economy sector is a key driver for economic transformation, and the longest beachline along Lake Victoria presents an opportunity to attract investments. The county has a plan to develop waterfronts to attract investment. Considerable progress has been made in partnership with Kenya Railways and Kenya Ports Authority in redeeming and putting in place plan to develop the waterfronts within the County. Investment opportunities that the waterfront will provide include watersports, leisure fishing, mariner, restaurants and accommodation facilities among others.

Pineapple/Multi-Fruit Processing Project

($690,000)

The decision to set up a pineapple processing plant was informed by the high potential of the crop in the Homabay County and surrounding counties such as Nyamira, Kisii and Migori counties. Homabay County alone currently produces more than 30,000 metric tons with 957Ha land currently under pineapple farming. Several research and feasibility studies have been carried out by research institutions such as ICDC and IFAD with the aid of KIRDI which culminated into development of a business plan and feasibility study which strongly recommended the setting up of this factory and the associated value chains.

The main reasons behind for this investment is to solve the post-harvest losses, marketing challenges, middlemen meddling, and value chain problems that has over the years been a major challenge to most pineapple farmer within Homabay and surrounding counties. Value addition to pineapple is expected to be raise pineapple and other fruits farmers’ income by 66% and therefore provide them with improved incomes for their farm produce. The processing of pineapple is expected to produce two by products i.e. pineapple juice and puree with size of processing plant required being capable of processing1,000,000 litres of juice in a year and 5,000 metric tons of puree in a year.

Leather Development Park ($10,000,000)

This is a project that will involve several activities in the hide, skin, leather and leather products value chain. It will involve construction of tanning parks and leather product processing and production parks and machinery parks to manufacture machinery used in the Leather Sector as well as integrated parks housing both tanneries and the product units. Upon completion, it will be expected to create 50,000 jobs directly and over 125,000 indirectly.

Given that 90% of Kenya’s leather export are unfinished wet blue leather. The leather industry is expected to create 100,000 jobs directly and over 200,000 jobs indirectly and with further processing of finished leather and leather goods will create an additional 35,000 jobs. Through creation of this employment opportunities, the county government of Homabay has identified is as a key industrial sector that can spur economic development within the County, create wealth for its populace and uplift the living standards for Homabay County residences. The only other available leather development park in Kenya is currently hosted in Athi River in Machakos county which is over 300 kilometers away for Homabay County which will therefore make this park as the only one of its kind within the Western Kenya region which comprises of 11 counties in Western Kenya, namely; Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Siaya, Vihiga, Busia, Kericho, Bomet and Kakamega.

Integrated Fish Processing Plant ($15,000,000)

The proposed project adopts a Total Project Approach which answers the need of those embarking on or diversifying into fish farming and complete processing cycle including packaging and export. The project is expected to have a big commercial value both to the investor and the people of Homa Bay County once completed and is operational.

Fish being highly perishable and sensitive food stuff to handle, needs a processing and packaging facility near the sources to assist in lowering the cost attributed to the final produce and prevent post-harvest wastages that occur as a result of transporting fresh fish over long distance which affect the quality of the final produce. Setting up a packaging and processing plant within the raw materials source will not only mitigate against such occurrences but will also create employment for residence of Homabay county, save costs for the investor and ensure proper utilization of the harvested fish stocks for the benefits of Homabay County residents, the investor and the final product users which are at the heart of Homabay County Government.

Cotton Textile Industrial Cluster ($ 207,000)

Clusters for this project consists of: cotton growing, ginning, textile industry and cottage industry. HBC has revived cotton growing, and cooperatives societies to support the growth and development of cotton growing within HBC. Currently the county produce, 1500 MT and with potential to increase its production capacity to 20,000 MT annually. Construction of 3000 MT capacity Ginnery will soon be commission, equipment procured, and land identified and therefore HBC is seeking for an Investors to forge partnership with in the completion of the ginnery and operation and management of ginnery processing, production and marketing of the processed products with capital injection of USD 207,000 required from the investor or investors. The main reason why HBC is seeking for investors in this sector is because of the role it plays which includes enabling citizens or residents access to clothes which is basic need, its strong linkage between manufacturing and agriculture in the farm-to-fashion value chain, and the sector ability to create gainful mass employment.

Animal Feeds Processing Plant

The production of quality and affordable animal feeds is an integral component in commercial livestock farming. Affordable feeds would make livestock products equally affordable. The raw materials available within the county for making animal feeds are; omena, soya beans, cassava, rice bran, maize and the required minerals that are stocked in the local agrovets. The demand for layers mash, chick mash, dairy meal has steadily been on the rise as most people today embrace farming as a business venture. It is also imperative to take into account that the increase in cage farming has equally created high demand for fish meal. Machinery is required that had capacity to process at least 9 tons of animal feed per hour.

Casava Processing Plant ($222,000)

Cassava Processing Plant is to be established on a 3 acres piece of land at Oluso Hills, Gem West Location, Rangwe Sub-County. The objective of the project is to enhance Cassava production, value addition, processing and marketing in order to improve the incomes of the cassava growing population in Homa Bay County. Cassava, Manihot esculanta crantz, is a perennial woody shrub with an edible root, which grows in tropical and subtropical areas of the world. Cassava requires less labor than all other staple crops (21% in working days as compared to maize, yam and rice). Cassava is a major component of the diet and livelihood of 500 million people in more than 80 countries across Africa.

Cassava is an essential part of the diet of people in Kenya and Homabay County. It provides a sustainable source of livelihood for  many farmers and is also the most important source of carbohydrates after maize. The development of the cassava value chain has not only ensured food security but has also helped rural populace to effectively mitigate climate change, provided a source of livelihood and income to its producers, processors, and traders through spurring industrialization and raising income for such persons apart from ensuring food security.

Coffee Milling Plant ($138,000)

There are 8 cooperative societies in Homa Bay County, currently pulping coffee and transporting to far distance millers. Plans are currently underway to bring the 8 cooperative societies into a union so that they can invest in a milling facility, with a Capital investment of around USD 138,000 being required to kick off the amalgamation of these societies into a giant coffee milling factory. 5 acres of government land is available for this project. Investors are required to partner with the cooperatives and Homa Bay County Government to implement the project.

Homa Bay Dairy Development ($10,000,000)

This is a project that will involve several activities in the dairy value chain. It will involve construction of dairy structures, production of fodder, and management of dairy animals & marketing of milk. It will create 50,000 jobs directly and over 125,000 indirectly. The project will cover 5 sub counties namely Kasipul, Kabondo Kasipul, Homa Bay, Ndhiwa & Rangwe and so it is expected to contribute to poverty reduction in the county and more specifically in the targeted sub counties.

Enhancing Maize and Millet Milling Capacity

The production of maize in Homa Bay has been on the rise over the years as more people venture in maize farming. Maize production in the year 2020 was 8293 Hectares resulting in production of 125,922 metric tons of maize. There was a steady increase in the year 2021 as 81558 hectares was under maize production resulting in 120,436metric tons of maize. Homabay county has a robust potential for both maize production and consumption, as maize is the main staple food in Homabay and in Kenya as a whole. Currently the consumption of maize in Homa bay stands at 98kgs per person per year within a population of 1,131,950 people. It is against this backdrop that the County Government conceived the idea of establishing Kigoto Maize Processing Plan which is currently operational, with a capacity of milling 30 tons of maize per day. However, its capacity needs to be enhanced to boost the current milling capacity to 10 tons per day and also introduce a line dedicated to milling of millet.

Endless Potential

HOMABAY COUNTY FLAGSHIP INVESTMENT PROJECTS UNDER PPP

Homa Bay County Referral Hospital Project ($ 8,345,000)

The Homa-Bay Hospital is the only existing Public County Referral Facility. It is located at the County Headquarters in Homa-Bay Town. The Health Facility is 50 years old with a catchment population of over 1 million people. It is governed by a Board of Directors and an Executive Technical Staff under a Director. The existing Building Structures are worn out and require intensive renovation and face-lifting with age and time to suit modern technology on quality services delivery. The County Government has planned the renovation and rehabilitation of outpatient, inpatient and maternity blocks by expanding existing building structures. Due to lack of financial resources, key units of the Facility already done by the county government are not yet fully operational while the public are currently demands specialized health care services that are characteristic of any Referral Facility. Key projects that are ongoing include (Blood Bank Satellite Center, Oxygen Plant, Eye Clinic and Kidney Dialysis unit among others). The Health Facility Currently employs over 300 trained staff and additional casual workers. Physicians Doctors are 2, other specialized professionals are 34, and midwives are 153 below the Norms and Standards required. Daily inpatient and outpatient flow is very high. Partners supporting HIV/AIDs services also link with the facility.

Proposed Areas for Private Sector Support: Based on the regular intergovernmental consultations and support, the County Government of Homa Bay included in its budget resource envelop to support the Homa-Bay Hospital to a limited level namely: Establishment of a Blood Bank Satellite Center, Oxygen plant, Kidney Dialysis Unit, and Eyes clinic. On the other hand, the County Government is seeking private sector funding and technical support in the following key components of the proposed Development, Face-Lifting and Expansion of Homa Bay County Referral Hospital Project:

(a) construction and Equipping of Cancer Screening & Treatment unit;

(b) establishment of CT Scan Unit and scanning machines installation;

(c) establishment of HDU and ICU Units equipped with relevant machines and equipment to respond to health emergency cases;

(d) improvement of Clinical Laboratory;

(e) improvement of hospital solid and liquid waste management and disposal system;

(f) establishment of Hospital Gym and Improvement of Physiotherapy Unit;

(g) revenue automation system and management;

(h) establishment of Private Wing within the County Referral Hospital to provide specialized medical services to able clients in need of these services at home.

Waste Recycling

As the population increases and with the advent of devolution, people have moved to rural towns. This has resulted in increased volumes of waste which is dumped all over the settlement areas causing pollution, diseases and environmental degradation of land and waters in the region. These wastes materials can be converted into economical products that can be a source of income to the population of our county. The main drivers of the project are; increasing volume of water hyacinth in the lake is as a result of high waste nutrients that are generated from the mainland and deposited in the lake. This is a raw material for recycling the water hyacinth into economic products for sale; high rate of generating domestic waste in the county due to population growth; enhanced market for the recycled products and high rate of youth unemployment.

Homa Bay Water Treatment Plant Project ($1,257,000,000)

As a signatory to the Millennium Development Goals, the Government of Kenya is committed to achieving set goals, one of which is to reduce by half the proportion of people without sustainable access to safe drinking water and sanitation by 2015. The Water Purification Plant will go a long way in contributing towards these Development Goals in creating significant opportunities and also in poverty reduction in the region. The Water Purification Plant (The Plant) project will involve; construction of Earth Dams or Reservoirs and creating Water Catchment Areas across major rivers in Homa Bay County; construction and set up of a Water Purification Plant which will incorporate Ozone Water Purification Systems; construction of a Water pipeline from the Water Purification Plant to the Storage Tank further downstream; construction of Reservoir further downstream; construction of a Pumping Station at the Reservoirs area from which the Water Supply Services board will draw water and distribute within the region.

Rural and Urban Water Supply ($ 15,337,000)

The project intends to develop new water treatment plants in major urban centers; to develop effective distribution and billing systems and storage/water reservoir facilities in five major towns within the county to increase water access, availability, distribution and supply in order to meet the demand of an increasing urban population in Homa Bay County. Type of investment plan proposed: Build Operate Transfer (BOT). Promoters of Projects: Department of Water Services, Irrigation, Forestry and Environment, Homa Bay County; Ministry of Water and Irrigation; Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources and Kenya Investment Authority

The Proposed Homa Bay County Headquarters Development Project (US$11,904,762)

The County Government of Homa Bay is seeking a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project financing of US$11,904,762 to develop its headquarters. The property shall be a mixed-use ultra-modern office and commercial complex to be established on a 4-acre piece of land already acquired at Arujo Ward in Homa Bay Town Sub-County of Homa Bay County, Kenya. When completed, the facility will accommodate all County Government Departments (10 in number) as well as provide ample office and commercial spaces for rental tenants. In all, 60% of the built area shall be dedicated to government departments and their services while 40% of the build area shall be dedicated to private sector –mainly offices and middle to high-end restaurants and recreation centers.

Tom Mboya University College Students’ Hostels Project($26,325,000)

The County Government of Homa Bay in collaboration with Maseno University calls upon local and International Expression of Interest to attract the most competitive developer and award tender on a BO T Turn Key Private Sector Investment Model for the construction and management of the required University Student Hostels.The project shall be established in a 10 acre piece of land (curved from 62 acres land designated for the University and its infrastructure) within the University College (Land Use Plan & Site Plan already developed in the University Master Plan). The land is a public utility land owned by Tom Mboya University College.The hostel consists of 6 units consisting of 3-winged hostels with a floor space of 615.48m2 per wing, translating to a total floor space of 1,846.44m2 per floor. Each hostel has 5-storey bringing the total floor space to 9,232.2m2 with a total student capacity of 912 students per hostel.

Endless Potential

Homa Bay County Solar Power Plant($80,000,000)

The solar plant project in Homa Bay County is feasible because the county receives at least 8 hours of sunshine everyday throughout the year. This can be set up in the mainland or the islands of Homa Bay County for mini off grid solar plants. There are already plans to set up three solar plant projects in Rusinga Island, Kabondo Komala and Apuko Hills in Karachuonyo. The county government will donate land for the project to investors or shall organize the community to lease out their land. Solar energy can stabilize the current erratic power supply. It will create jobs besides opening up the area for development. The county has only 3.3% electricity penetration compared to the national average of 30% and over 94% kerosene usage for lighting and cooking, which is the highest in Kenya, thus necessitating investment in Solar Power.

Wind Power Generation ($27,500,000)

Homa Bay County has potential for wind power generation because it is endowed with the lake and hills around it. Wind power speed has been tested and passed the minimum requirement of 5.5. The potential areas are in Rachuonyo, Suba and Mbita Sub-counties. Wind power turbines can generate up to 20MW which can be fed into the national grid to reduce the current outages and rationing. It should also eliminate use of expensive diesel powered generators. The project will benefit the community through new roads and employment opportunities besides a cleaner environment. The current Government strategy for lowering the cost of energy in the country is to increase generation from cheaper and cleaner sources such as solar and wind in the mix of total generation.

Mini Grid Hydroelectric Power Generation Projects

Available studies shows that development of energy projects is fundamental for Homa Bay’s long-term competitiveness, increased productivity across sectors, long term growth, modernization, and energy supply sustainability and efficiency. Long-term investment in renewable energy is thus a vital driver for a sustainable growth, employment creation, industrial development and financial stability of this County. Large energy infrastructure projects require decades of revenues to amortize the high upfront investment and long-term financing schemes. Consequently, a purely private sector investment with a long term contract with the Kenya Electricity Generating Company (KENGEN) will be ideal for this project. The County Government of Homa Bay will ensure the investor (s) get all the necessary regulatory and technical assistance as is required within the Legal Frameworks of Energy Generation in Kenya.

Affordable Housing Project ($25,000,000)

The County Government of Homa Bay is inviting Private Sector Investment in Affordable Residential Housing for its growing civil servants and emerging middle class. The proposed Homa Bay County’s Affordable Housing Project intends to address the acute housing shortage to address the surging property demand-supply gap in Homa Bay County. During the first phase of this project, the County Government of Homa Bay will seek private sector investment in Development of at least 2,000 affordable housing units within Homa Bay Municipality. Targeting delivery of 10,000 housing units across the county in the next five years to cater for the increasing accommodation needs of civil servants, business community and other professionals in the County. The proposed project shall be a master planned gated community occupying a total of approximately10 acres of land within Homa Bay Town. 5. The project targets government employees and other private sector workers and consultants earning low and medium monthly salaries but with secure and stable jobs and or businesses that can offer them opportunities to regularly pay their house rents through check-off system or through contracted property management firm service contract. The total number of housing units anticipated in this project is at least 2,000 residential units which will comprise of 1, 2- and 3-bedroom apartments on four-storey structures as well as space efficient individual duplex units. The structures will be energy efficient with natural ventilation, lighting and water recycling services in place. Modern building technologies will be used alongside durable zero carbon emission building materials in this project.

University Staff Quarters

The project entail Staff Rental Housing Units at or near the proposed Tom Mboya University College in Homa Bay Town. It aims deliver a suitably designed family units at a competitive rate without any effect on rates for existing Kenyan University Staff housing or significant impact on debt capacity by the investor (s). Land Area Requirement: 10 acres within Homa Bay Municipality. Project Description: The Staff Quarters consists of 145 units of 2–3 bedrooms. Lease Term: 25 years, subject to earlier or later termination upon payoff of bonds (amortized over 30 years following completion).

The Proposed Homa Bay County Headquarters Development Project (US$11,904,762)

The County Government of Homa Bay is seeking a Public Private Partnership (PPP) Project financing of US$11,904,762 to develop its headquarters. The property shall be a mixed-use ultra-modern office and commercial complex to be established on a 4-acre piece of land already acquired at Arujo Ward in Homa Bay Town Sub-County of Homa Bay County, Kenya. When completed, the facility will accommodate all County Government Departments (10 in number) as well as provide ample office and commercial spaces for rental tenants. In all, 60% of the built area shall be dedicated to government departments and their services while 40% of the build area shall be dedicated to private sector – mainly offices and middle to high-end restaurants and recreation centers.

Homabay Apparel Processing Industry ( $1,000,000 - $10,000,000 )

The project aims to capitalize on extended AGOA and leverage the Homa Bay experience in cotton production. A private entity is supposed to be brought on aboard under Build- Own model

Endless Potential

INVEST

IN

HOMA BAY

INVESTMENT PROJECTS UNDER STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS/JOINT VENTURES

Homa Bay County is committed to facilitating investments through strategic partnerships. The County acts as an investment enabler by playing the role of match making, linking potential investors to investment opportunities without being directly involved. Under joint ventures, the County partners with investors with the aim of getting equitable share of benefits that arise therefrom. It also invests in the business by provision both human and material capital that the venture may need.

Cage Fishing ($ 1,000,000 – $5,000,000)

Homabay County Government has identified promotion of Cage Fishing as a strategy of increasing fish production and reducing pressure on capture fish from the lake. There are several sites that have been identified as suitable for cage fishing in HBC. Two investors are currently engaged in cage fishing activities but the County Government of Homabay has identified other sites within the lake that are ideal for cage fishing and therefore require more investor to take partner with in this business venture with the required capital injection of the levels ranging between USD 1-5 million. There is increase in international demand for lake’s fish and in particular catches of leading commercial species – Nile perch and Nile tilapia –are now primarily caught for export market mainly in Europe and Asia with the lake currently struggling to keep up with the demand that has presented challenges to natural fish stock due to over-fishing and unregulated fishing activities that enables fishermen to catch fish stock that have not matured for harvesting. The county government of Homabay found it necessary to engage in cage fishing as a strategy for protecting fish and improving fish stocks within the lake while also regulating fishing activities to ensuring that fish produced by the lake keeps up with both local and international demand for fish from Lake Victoria.

Mechanization Of Rice Production($ 4,770,000)

Mechanization of rice production is an agricultural productivity improvement project that focuses on efficiency of the farming operations through increased access to farm machinery and mechanization as the key driver of productivity. Rice farming is labour intensive because it involves ploughing, planting, weeding, harvesting, threshing and transportation. Challenges include expensive and shortage of tools and appropriate equipment. Most farmers depend on rudimentary tools for their operations. To increase and stabilize productivity, modern farming tools are required and necessary for tilling, planting, weeding, threshing and drying. The main drivers of the project are: modernization of equipment, 50% cost reduction strategy and addressing post & pre- harvest inefficiencies in rice production. There exists irrigation infrastructure in Kimira, Oluch and Maugo Schemes. These constitute the project target area and beneficiaries will be the organized small-scale farmers.

The Sagla® Parks T/A Godmwanda Agro-Tourism Park Project ($3,493,000).

The main objective of this project is to pilot SAGLA (Sisal, Acacia, Grass, and Livestock Agro tourism) Park Technology for Sustainable Economic Production in Arid and Semi-Arid Tropics with reference to ‘Godmwanda’ or ‘Mountain of Deer’ in Homa Bay County, Kenya. The County Government of Homa Bay has signed a collaboration agreement with Egerton University for the Sustainable Development of “GodMwanda” Hills in West Karachuonyo Ward in Karachuonyo Sub-County. The Partnership seeks to pilot SAGLA (Sisal, Acacia, Grass, and Livestock Agro-tourism) Park Technology for Sustainable Economic Production in Arid and Semi-Arid Tropics - a case study of ‘Godmwanda’ Hills in Homa Bay County, Kenya. The innovation will be piloted at ‘Godmwanda’ or the ‘the mountain of deer’; an over 1000 acres of degraded terrain in Rachuonyo Sub-County, Homa Bay County, Kenya.

The project will entail construction of 9 units: office block, unit 1 (eggs), unit 2 (milk), unit 3 (honey and wax), unit 4 (glue), unit 5 (manure), unit 6 (tourism), unit 7 (meat/leather), and unit 8 (sisal). There will also be need for machines, motor vehicles, factories etc for the park.

When fully set, it is projected that SAGLA park will generate over USD 3 million, creating jobs and alleviating poverty. The park will also increase national forest cover by 2.5 million sisal plants, 100,000 acacia trees, and thousands of tons of indigenous grasses; thereby mitigating green-house effect, global warming, climate change, and soil erosion; in line with Kenya Vision 2030 and the strategic vision of CHG.

Horticultural Crops Production for Domestic And Export Market. ($43,206,000)

Horticultural crops Production for Domestic and Export Market is an agricultural productivity improvement project that seeks to ensure Homabay County achieves sustainable production of agricultural produce while promoting strategic market linkages, both local and international. It is aimed at contributing to poverty reduction through improved livelihoods. The project targets 5,400 households as direct beneficiaries and 400,000 households as indirect beneficiaries through engagement in fruits and vegetables value chain activities. The specific identified areas for the project implementation includes: Oluch scheme in Rangwe Sub County and Kimira scheme in Karachuonyo Sub County areas with a total arable land mass that can be put irrigation that measures 1,474 Ha. Under Kimira Oluch Smallholders Farm Improvement Project, Irrigation infrastructure has been set up. The project is proposed to adopt contract farming business model under which the investor supplies the farmers’ organization with seeds, fertilisers and other inputs, for distribution to farmers. Payments for inputs shall be deducted from the purchase price of the resultant harvest. It will consist of the following components, namely: (a) Agricultural Production and Productivity component; (b) Marketing and Market Linkages components and (c) Project Management and Support (PMS) component.

Homa Bay Airport Expansion: Construction of Check-In Terminal, Ablutions Block, Parking Bay And Restaurant.

The main objective of this project is to expand Homabay Airport through extension of the runway to 1.3 kilometers in length, and provision of social amenities which includes Construction of Check-in terminal, abolition block, parking bay and restaurant to provide ambiance and comfort to travellers using the airport. 60% of passengers Kisumu currently using Kisumu Airport hail from Homabay and neighboring counties and countries which consist of Migori, Nyamira, Kisii, and Tanzania respectively and therefore investing on this airport will generate revenue not only investors but equally to the county.

Accommodation Facilities, Simbi Nyaima

Simbi Nyaima in Luo means the “sunken village” which is an amazing volcanic lake in the Western Kenya in Karachuonyo area near Lake Victoria. So far, the department of Tourism through the county government of Homa Bay has embarked on developing the site to make it more attractive. Among the facilities under development include a perimeter fence, an office block and the construction of ablution facilities. It is a seasonal home for migrating flamingoes. Construction of suitable accommodation facilities through participation of private investors will boost the attraction immensely.

Ultra-Modern Shopping Complex Development

($15,000,000)

The County Government is seeking partnership with a property developer or a private sector investor to put up a shopping complex of international caliber in Homa Bay. The project is located in Homa Bay town at Nyalkinyi area along Homa Bay -Kisumu road. A 2.5 hectare land has been identified for that purpose.

Office/Commercial Block

A developer turns key for conventional delivery at competitive rate on private land. The developer will be responsible for securing and entitling the site, as well as for the design, financing and construction of the facility for a fixed price. The Developer will also bear the construction and construction financing risk. The County Government of Homa bay shall be instrumental in helping the developer with all pre-project implementation feasibility studies including identification of most suitable and preferable locations or sites for the project. The County Government of Homa Bay will also assist the Developer will all ground logistics and legal/regulatory procedures with the support of the relevant line Ministries of the National Government. 15 acres piece of land offered on a 45 years leasehold, subject to earlier or later termination upon payoff of bonds (amortized over 30 years following completion).

Homabay Feeds Industry ($ 3,450,000)

The project located at Oluch scheme in Rangwe and Kimira scheme in Karachuonyo, is designed to manufacture high quality industrial livestock feeds. Once complete, it will produce 100 x 70kg bags every hour. The County Government is seeking a management contract wit a private party.

OTHER POTENTIAL INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES

Gor Mahia Sports Complex, Ndhiwa ($ 25,000,000).

Stadiums, Arenas and Ballparks can be magical shrines that capture the full range of human emotions. The proposed Gor Mahia Sports Complex will serve as an anchor to mixed use development that will be convenient and offer high tech and ultra-modern amenities such as High definition televisions, high-speed cameras with facilities such as premium seating and executive suites incorporate in it. These will play a key role in changing the overall experience of attending a live event and eventually contributing to revenue generation and more importantly in creating jobs, both directly and indirectly. The venue will also be marketed to host events such as the All Africa Games. The proposed venue for this project is a key touristic site in Homa Bay County as it also hosts the Magical and Mythical Gor Mahia Shrine, a cultural heritage for the Luo Community in Kenya, from which the Kenya’s Premier League Legend, Gor Mahia Football Club derives its name.

It is envisioned to provide a sports park that can be used all year-round with the ability of hosting more than 30,000 people in one place outside the busy City-based Raila Odinga Sports Stadia. This means that the stadium will serve as an anchor for neighborhoods and real estate developments that will in future lead to growth in retail chain stores, restaurants, entertainment and multi-family housing units, which occupy blocks behind the playing field. It will be a facility where the stadium and elements of the game would subtly blend-in with retail, dining, and entertainment spaces complemented with an opportunity to redeveloping the entire area.

These facilities will comprise of a 35,000 seating capacity stadium, a 10,000 capacity Convention Centre, a 200 bed hotel, a basketball court, an Olympic size swimming pool, and a parking garage for 1,600 , 500 capacity surface car park around the stadium , 10 bus parking spot and with at least two each, on-site, stand-by, Ambulances and Fire Engines, an additional car park facility that can accommodate 2,200 vehicles and spaces for bicycles and a Sky pedestrian bridge crossing over the Ndhiwa – Karungu Road and a water reservoir .

The Sports Complex Facility will feature a World Class Soccer and Rugby multipurpose pitch, surrounded by a full length (400M), 8 lane, running track and have a seating capacity of 35,000 with reserved VIP executive suits/sky boxes and specially reserved Disabled seating spaces with additional features of the Stadium including the following social amenities: Emergency Exits, Emergency Service Access, Fire Prevention facilities, Ticket boxes, Player and Match Official Dressing rooms, Toilets for the Disabled, Spectator canteens, Medical facilities and specially reserved Media/Press boxes. Modern digital broadcast screens and scoreboards, a public address system and installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV). A standard size, out-door, Basketball court (measuring 28.6m x 14m) and an Olympic sized Swimming pool (measuring 50m x 25m) will also be constructed adjacent to the Stadium. These facilities will feature their own shared grand stands, changing rooms and toilets.

Accommodation Facilities, Ruma National Park

Ruma National Park is the only terrestrial park in Kenya’s Nyanza province. Dubbed the ‘last Retreat of the Roan Antelope’ the park protects the only indigenous population of rare roan antelopes within Kenya. Among popular activities at the park include game viewing, bird watching, sightseeing, camping, and team building. With visits averaging over 7,300 people per year, it needs a variety of accommodation facilities to cater for its diverse visitors. Indeed, accommodation facilities will attract more visitors..

Homa Bay Construction Materials Extraction And Supplies Project ($1,000,000)

This project will deal in cut and dressed building stones, sand, ballast, hardcore, stone dust, bricks, stabilized soil blocks, roof tiles, vents, hollow blocks, interlocking blocks, granite slabs, etc. Homa Bay County is endowed with large deposits of building stones, sand, clay and granite stones, all of which are used in the construction of houses, roads, bridges and other permanent structures. Vast reserves of building stones of very high quality and a wide variety of colors are found in Karachuonyo and Mbita sub counties of Homa Bay. The deposits cover hundreds of square kilometers and lie 450 meters deep under the surface. According to experts, an area of 1.2 hectares contains about 2.7 million cubic meters of stones. Stone deposits in Homa Bay are so large they could supply the whole of Western Kenya and the neighboring countries of Uganda and Tanzania for very many years. Large quantities of red clay soil for making bricks, roofing tiles, and stabilized soil blocks are also available in large quantities in Rangwe, Karachuonyo and Ndhiwa. Bricks and soil blocks are cheaper than stones and hence preferred in internal wall partitions. Many parts of Karachuonyo, Kasipul sub counties are literally covered with sand, which is currently harvested and transported in large quantities outside Homa Bay.The project involves setting up a site where stones are cut, dressed, and crushed into ballast. The site may also be used to make clay-based products such as bricks, tiles and other decorative blocks. It may also be a site for the aggregation of sand for sale to agents and final users. Estimated Capital Outlay Requirement: The financing will be sourced through Private Sector Investment through Industrial and Manufacturing Project Development Financing .

Takawiri Tourist Lodge & Hotel (25,000,000)

Project Description: This will be World Class Five Star Tourist Lodge and Hotel at the serene Takawiri Island of Lake Victoria, Kenya in Homa Bay County. The facility is expected to house a 250 luxurious rooms with a capacity to host 200 Executive Guest Rooms, 45 Superior Guest Rooms and 5 Presidential Suites – all finished and furnished to international standards. The facility will also have conference facilities for small – large audiences fully fitted and equipped with state of the art communication equipment’s and conference facility. Besides this, the facility will have a Business Center, In-room mini bars, and leisure club with excellent waters sports and sand-bathing facilities and equipment. Other features of the project include: Provision of exceptional security within the Island, friendly and relaxing environment with excellent bird-watching sites for pleasurable experience throughout the year, excellently ambience and panoramic view of Lake Victoria while basking at the white sands Beaches of Takawiri Island, surrounded by other protruding hills and scenic islands visible form the beach. These facility will be are strategically situated within the vast Lake Victoria in Homa Bay, which is uniquely connection to other East African Countries of Uganda and Tanzania by water.

The Proposed Gor Mahia International Convention Centre, Hotel And Parking

The International Convention Centre will host conferences, private business meetings, major conventions and exhibitions, social and charity functions and entertainment events. It will feature a bold, modern design, purpose building built with operational and service excellence in mind but in considering of sustainability and green footprint at its core. It will have a large central green space filled with planting and will allow natural lighting and ventilation to the building. It will feature a two tier auditorium with a capacity to hold 500 people, four plenary halls each with a capacity to hold 1,000 people per seating. An additional five plenary halls will be located in the first floor, giving the total capacity of people to be hosted all the plenary halls at 9,000. On the second floor, there will be 20 configurable meeting rooms, boardrooms and conference spaces featuring the latest technology.

The third floor of the convention center will house a Hospitality Training Centre. This facility will offer professional training courses in Hospitality and Catering, Sports Physiotherapy, and related courses. It will serve among others; Transmara County (Maasai Mara Game Park), Kisii County (Tabaka Soapstones & Manga Ridges), Nyamira County its breath-taking highlands and escarpments, Migori County (Thim Lich Ohinga Cultural Heritage), Kisumu County and Siaya County which are connected to Homa Bay County via Water transport which is currently being through the now revamped under the Lake Transport System.

The top most floor of the convention center will be reserved for a hotel and office space for the stadium and convention center management. The Hotel will boast a bouquet of 200 rooms and luxury suits, ranging from Superior suits to Club rooms. The Hotel will also feature One (1) Presidential Suit.

Fish Auction/Processing Centres ($ 15,000,000)

Development of the fish Auction/processing centers is a project expected to provide opportunities in fish cold storage, processing facilities and marketing within and outside the county. At maximum capacity the project is expected to process, store and auction 30,000MT of fish per year and create 80,000 jobs directly and 100,000 indirectly. The expected annual turnover for the fish auction and processing Centre is approximated to be around USD 60,000,000. This project is destined to be developed in Suba, Mbita Sub County in Homa bay County. The lakes full potential in production of fish and fish related products is estimated to be around 300,000 metric tons annually but currently only 60,000 metric tons of fish is harvested from the lake with the major reason being lack of accesses to internal and external markets, low returns on fishermen catch, lack of storage facilities, poor and unhygienic handling, processing and storage of fish which has resulted into post-harvest losses and fishermen exploitation by middlemen within the fish processing and marketing value chain. The auction centers will mitigate these vices.

Homa Bay Cement Plant ($103,000,000 - $139,000,000)

Homa Bay County presents an opportunity for a cement manufacturing factory. Past reconnaissance survey by the Ministry of Mines and Geology indicate widespread limestone deposits in several parts of Homa Bay County including Homa Hills (commonly referred to as Homa Lime because of its limestone deposits) and Ruri Hills. Besides, there are other cement production inputs such as silicon, iron ore, etc within the county. About 90% of the inputs are found within the county and only less than 10% of the inputs may be imported from outside the county. The cement plant of an estimated capacity of between 1.5 to 2 million metric tons per annum can be sited at Homalime in Karachuonyo or at the foot of Ruri Hills in Lambwe Valley. The proposed sites are ideal not only due to their proximity to the limestone deposits, but also because they lie along the shores of Lake Victoria, the largest freshwater lake in East Africa, which will make easy access to the whole market area through water transport system. This will be the first cement manufacturing plant in the whole of Western Kenya. Existing plants are on the Eastern side of the country and are at least 500 kilometers away, which increases the market prices after loading transport cost. A huge market for cement exists in the region, which covers the whole of Western Kenya and the other East African countries. Cement consumption (including export) is about 7million metric tons per annum. Demand has been growing at average of 13% (domestic) and 7% (export) per annum over the last 10 years due to a boom in the housing and road construction sector. Growth is expected to accelerate with the opening up of the East African Common Market, devolution of governments to the counties and planned mega projects such as SGR and LAPSET. East African Common Market spans a huge market covering Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi, Rwanda, Somalia, while the creation of county governments has led to acute demand for housing, urbanization and road construction.

Homa Bay Waterfront

The Homa Bay County Government has embarked on planning and development of the land around Homa Bay Lakefront, to provide for investment opportunities in high end hospitality facilities including jetties, restaurants, leisure parks and accommodation facilities among others. The initiative will include preparation of a sustainable waterfront masterplan, design concepts, detailed working drawings and governance frameworks. The development component includes establishing networks with regional and global private sector investment partners for private sector financing for development. This activity will be led by the Cities Investment Facility of UN-Habitat, in collaboration with the department of Lands and Urban Development in the County. The county has a plan to develop our waterfronts to attract investments. With the considerate progress in our partnership with Kenya Railways and Kenya Ports Authority in redeeming and putting in place plan to develop the waterfronts within our County to make it look attractive just like Mama Ngina beachfronts in Mombasa County. This project provides massive investment opportunity for investors interested in investing in the hospitality industry through providing them with an opportunity to developing hospitality facilities such as watersports, hotel, restaurants, leisure parks/gardens, accommodation and children playing parks to explore the untapped tourism potential within the western Kenya Circuit.

Accommodation Facilities, Simbi Nyaima

Simbi Nyaima in Luo means the “sunken village” which is an amazing volcanic lake in the Western Kenya in Karachuonyo area near Lake Victoria. So far, the department of Tourism through the county government of Homa Bay has embarked on developing the site to make it more attractive. Among the facilities under development include a perimeter fence, an office block and the construction of ablution facilities. It is a seasonal home for migrating flamingoes. Construction of suitable accommodation facilities through participation of private investors will boost the attraction immensely.

Oil Palm Crop Project

Homa Bay County has an enormous investment opportunity in palm oil farming and value addition, owing to the county’s tropical climate and agro-climatic conditions. Research has shown Busia County is ideal for palm oil farming. Given climatic similarity with Homa Bay County; the latter too has similar potential. Homa Bay County government is thus seeking investors to invest in palm oil crop farming and value addition. Given palm oil productivity per hectare and favorable market price & cost of production per hectare, the county is on course to exploiting this opportunity in partnership with private investors. Its revenue yield of USD 6,950 per hectare is much higher that of maize at 1,000 per hectare which makes it a niche investment opportunity for Homa Bay County.

Oyugis, Nyakwere and Homa Bay Open Air Markets Upgrading and Modernisation

This project is targeted to primarily benefit persons living with disability by providing job opportunities. The project aims at replacing the current markets with more modern ones.

Poultry Slaughterhouse Project

The project aims at commercializing local poultry. It will entail putting in place the following facilities: slaughter hall, processing rooms, chill, frozen and dry rooms among others. It is estimated to have the potential of providing employment directly and indirectly to more than 10,000 people.

Horticultural Crop Production for Domestic Market and Export Market ($43,206,026)

Homa Bay county is in a vantage position to be the leader in horticultural produce in Western Kenya. With net irrigable area of 1,474 hectares, Oluch in Rangwe provides the critical resources required for horticultural crop production. Moreover the current deficit in the fruit and vegetable market in the country gives a strong justification for investment in the area..

CONCLUSION

Homa Bay County is emerging as a favorable investment destination owing to its strategic location, focused leadership, endowment with natural resources, high manpower quality and political stability. It is a county with a huge appetite for foreign investment as demonstrated by its rich menu of investment options. The flagship investments of the County are domiciled at Specialized Economic Zone which is firmly buttressed by Aggregation Park. The County has enviable investment opportunities that can be undertaken through Public Private Partnerships and Strategic Partnerships. In addition, the county has many other investment opportunities which are yet to be tapped. With the determination of the current county leadership to improve the living standards of Homa Bay residents coupled with support from the National Government and enthusiasm of the residents in welcoming investors, the County is set to achieve its investment objectives.