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.

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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.

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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

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