Govt to initiate economic ventures in Siaya

The Ministry of Sports, Culture and Arts in collaboration with Lake Basin Development Authority is seeking to initiate economic ventures aimed at uplifting livelihoods of the beach communities in Siaya County.

According to an administrative officer in the state department of sports, culture and arts, Dominic Onyango, they intend to come up with viable ventures that would help improve the socio-economic standards, especially of the youth along the beaches in Bondo and Rarieda sub-counties.

He stated, for example, that through partnership with the Lake Basin Development Authority, they intend to support the beach community to practice fish caging to help not only in enhancing their income but to also help in reducing fish depletion on the lake.

Onyango revealed that the move was triggered by the recent incident where nine members of Boyieta Ohangla Boys’ Band perished following a boat accident in Lake Victoria a couple of months ago.

The administrative officer noted that after supporting the families of the youth who lost their lives, the Ministry found it wise to come up with some economic ventures that would help the fishing community engage in other ventures that would help to conserve the lake.

Onyango, who was speaking during a meeting with selected community based organizations and self help groups which will help in identifying the potential beneficiaries on Thursday, September 22, took the opportunity to clarify that they have not neglected the Ohangla band as reports claimed.