At the pre-devolution conference held at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Stadium in Siaya Town, Mr. Newton Owino captivated attendees with his inspiring sericulture venture.
From Ogero Village, Gem Sub County, Mr. Owino has transformed silk farming into a beacon of hope, detailing the journey from egg to export for an enthralled audience. His dedication is reshaping rural livelihoods through a labor-intensive craft gaining global recognition.
Sericulture, the rearing of silkworms for silk production, begins with delicate eggs that hatch into larvae. These larvae, fed on mulberry leaves, eventually spin cocoons. Mr. Owino guided attendees through the meticulous process of nurturing worms, harvesting cocoons, and extracting silk threads—a cycle requiring patience and hard work. This extensive value chain has created jobs, employing many locals in Ogero and fueling a thriving industry.
Mr. Owino’s operation produces three key export products: spansilk, a versatile silk thread; frass, a highly sought-after byproduct used in fish and chicken feed; and raw silk thread, all destined for international markets. These exports are placing Gem Sub-County on the global stage, with growing demand driving economic growth. His focus on overseas markets, particularly in Europe and Asia, reflects a bold vision to uplift the community through global trade.
Beyond production, Mr. Owino is dedicated to education, teaching others the art of sericulture. Through hands-on training, he empowers community members to join this sustainable trade, fostering self-reliance and knowledge-sharing. His commitment reflects a belief that education can transform lives.
The event, graced by dignitaries including the Chief Guest, Rt. Hon. George Okode, Speaker of the Siaya County Assembly, highlighted Mr. Owino’s work as a model for improving livelihoods and promoting inclusion. His independent efforts exemplify grassroots innovation, offering a blueprint for prosperity that resonated with the conference’s message.
The County Government of Siaya, through the Department of Tourism, Culture, Sports and Arts in collaboration with the Executive Office of the Governor, will roll out The Nyalore Governors Cup for football men. This will be a Countywide tournament for talents identification, talent exposure and creation of temporary job opportunities for the Youth – “Kandanda Mashinani, Pesa kwa Vijana!”. The tournament shall be played on weekdays for one month, the whole of December 2023. The one month long tournament will be launched by the Governor Siaya, James Orengo on 1st December 2023 at Sega Mixed Primary School starting at 9.00am. The final match will be played on 1st January, 2024, at the Migwena Sports Group.
