Homa Bay

The best part about finding your way to Homa Bay is that you have three options. If you choose the tarmac, you have unlimited access to all the beauty of County 043. If you choose to take a whack at flying, you’ll undoubtedly enjoy scenic views of the stunning green topography from above. Then again if you’ve got a knack for sailing – access through Lake Victoria may just be the excursion you need.

While you may be focused on the lake-inspired part of its name, did you know that the bay is named for Mount Homa that looms over the water? Called Got Marahuma in Dholuo the mountain offers a wonderful point to look out over the magnificent bay that sits at the end of Winam Gulf. This county is known as a celebration destination each December prior to Christmas, when a two-day immersive celebration of Suba culture takes place on Rusinga Island. The Rusinga Cultural Festival invites one and all to celebrate life on the ten-mile island through food, dance,  drama and races. There is also an additional tour to the Tom Mboya Masoleum at Lwanda Kamsengre Village and unlimited ferry rides to the stunning white sandy beaches of Takawiri Island. The key to enjoying Rusinga Fest is preparation. We advise carrying some traditional attire and being prepared to enthusiastically learn and participate in the cultural dances. After all, in Rome you do as the Romans do…

80km away from the festivities is Kendu Bay whose popularity comes from its crater lake – Simbi Nyaima. It’s a water body with plenty of history, as the locals will inform you. So…

Paukwa? Pakawa!

Hapo zamani za kale palikuwa na kijiji kilichoitwa Simbi. Usiku mmoja wanakijiji walikuwa wanasherehekea mafanikio ya mkuu wao pamoja naye. Palikuwa na nyimbo, kucheza mengi na vinywaji pia. Wakati wa huu msherehekeo mgeni alijikaribisha kwenye kijiji akiulizia pahali pa kulala. Alikuwa mama mzee na kwa hivyo wanakijiji walimdharau na wakamfukuza. Mwanakijiji mmoja alipoona yale yalikuwa yanatendeka, alikaribisha huyu mama kwa kumlisha na kumpatia pahali pa kulala.

Siku iliyofuata, mama mzee alimshukuru mwenyeji wa nyumba lakini alimwonya ya kwamba kwa sababu mkuu wa kijiji hakumkaribisha angemwaadhibu pamoja na wanakijiji wote waliyomdharau. Alishauri mwenye nyumba ahame kutoka hilo kijiji siku hiyo. Jioni ilipofika, mvua ilinyesha na dhoruba ikaja. Kijiji kilifagiliwa na maji hadi kukawa ziwa.

Leo, hili ziwa linajulikana kama Simbi Nyaima

Away from this feature is Kendu Bay’s Old Town where the geography lessons on the stone tools used by the first man abound. With the remains of the Oldowan tools used by the Homo habilis, this site is great for historical research.

Do stop by Ruma National Park in Lambwe Valley. It’s the only terrestrial park in this region, and though small, has lots  to offer including being the only habitat of the nearly extinct Roan antelope. Other species include African leopard, bush pigs and the reticulated giraffe. It also provides a perfect bush environment for bird watching. County 043 is filled with many options for your palette, don’t you think?

Our featured photographer truly enjoyed his time at the Rusinga Cultural Festival – capturing as many pictures as he could. People and wildlife photographer Anthony Ochieng holds a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Management from Moi University and is currently pursuing Masters in Wildlife Management in Karatina University. He is the Founder of TonyWild and Photography by Anthony Ochieng. His focus is primarily on creating awareness of wildlife conservation with his first project titled: Travelling for birds, targeting to visiting Top 50 bird sites with the hope to increase the profiling of the Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) by the local communities using birds, providing conservation education in schools found around the KBAs. Capture this exciting project with him on FB @photographybyanthonyochieng