In the middle of Yala Town, which sits on the north-eastern side of County 041, is a nondescript little building. It is one of the earliest prisons in the area but it was originally built to hold criminals of only one kind – those who refused to go to school! Soon after the turn of the last century, Chief Odera Akang’o, was installed as Ruoth of the area we now know as Yala. One of the ideas that he wholeheartedly supported was the importance of formal education and every family living in the area had to send their children to school, and non-compliance meant a jail term in the little structure in Yala town. His dedication to education over a century ago is what may have birthed the significant number of professors that have come out of Siaya County, which for years was the veritable hotbed of learning. His contributions to impacting his community are forever immortalised with the naming of the Odera Akang’o Campus of Moi University in Yala.
Heading across the county one will find the other Yala – the Yala Swamp. With trees leaning over this fresh water wetland and the birds that converge in numbers to rest and bond throughout the day, this water body is indeed a sight to behold. Yala Swamp is Kenya’s largest papyrus swamp. Sitting on approximately 175km2, Yala Swamp is a feature with mother-like characteristics as it forms the mouth of two important rivers – Yala and Nzoia. Farther down is the Kanyaboli – a freshwater delta formed from the backflow from Lake Victoria via river Yala.
Siaya County has the longest coastline of the all the counties that border the jewel that is Lake Victoria. Apart from the main coast are several islands including Ndeda, Mageta Koyamo and Sifu. Fishing is the lifeblood of the Siaya economy, with several fishing boats dotting the horizon each sunrise and sunset. For those looking for a nice day out – Ndanu Falls offers a moderate hike with the reward of viewing the tumbling falls. Don’t get too close to the edge though, the rocks are slippery!
Siaya’s towns are fast growing centres, none more so than Bondo which hosts the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology, a bustling centre of learning for thousands of students. The university was chartered in 2009 and no doubt continues the legacy started a century ago by Ruoth Akang’o. Before you leave Bondo don’t forget to check out the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Mausoluem which is also a historical and cultural museum of the area.
Behold County 041, the undisputed home of academic prowess!
