By Elizabeth Ochogo
The Department of Tourism, Culture, Sports, and Arts held a consultative meeting with representatives from the State Department of Tourism (Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife), Kenya Tourism Board (KTB), Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Forest Service (KFS), and private practitioners.
The primary objective was to map tourist sites and activities across the county to enhance the development, promotion, and marketing of Siaya to both local and international tourists.
During the meeting, which was chaired by the Director for Tourism and Culture, Dr. Kennedy Oreyo, it was noted that Siaya is among the counties boasting iconic attractions. These sites are expected to play a crucial role in helping Kenya achieve its target of five million tourists this year.
A team led by Mr. Stephen Bwire (State Department of Tourism) and Ms. Serena Ivy (Kenya Tourism Board) is set to undertake a four-day mapping tour. They emphasized that this exercise will significantly improve Siaya’s visibility and contribute to the development of the tourism circuit within the Western region and beyond.
Ms. Vivian Wasike from Nature Kenya highlighted that bird-watching tourists tend to stay longer than other visitors. She urged the people of Siaya to leverage Lake Kanyaboli—a prime destination with over 100 bird species—to boost the county’s social and economic growth.
Dr. Oreyo reaffirmed that Siaya possesses a rich cultural heritage and breathtaking sites worth mapping.
Key attractions mentioned include Got-Ramogi Forest, the Ramogi Ajwang’ Cultural Home, pristine beaches, Lake Kanyaboli, and the expansive Yala Swamp. Other significant sites include the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoleum and heritage sites dedicated to legends such as Odera Akang’o, Argwings Kodhek, and Achieng’ Oneko.