Homa Bay County is setting its sights on attaining city status within the next decade, Governor Gladys Wanga has revealed. Speaking during the 62nd Madaraka Day celebrations held at the newly constructed Raila Odinga Stadium, Governor Wanga outlined transformative developments that she believes will elevate Homa Bay into an economic powerhouse in western Kenya.
Governor Wanga emphasized the near completion of the county’s new headquarters, constructed in partnership with CPF, as a key milestone. “The new headquarters will serve as a one-stop shop for all government services and include a Huduma Centre,” she said, noting that the facility will streamline service delivery and promote investment.
Wanga described the vision of a “Homa Bay City” in ten years, drawing parallels to Cape Town in South Africa. “This project is part of a broader vision to transform Homa Bay into a vibrant economic hub and a gateway to East Africa,” she declared.
During her address, Wanga also highlighted a series of achievements made under her administration. Key among them is the construction of the 12,000-seater Raila Odinga Stadium, a symbol of Homa Bay’s growing status and a boost for sports and tourism in the region.
She celebrated strides in gender representation, noting the county’s success in upholding the Two-Thirds Gender Rule, with the election of several women leaders including MPs Millie Odhiambo, Dr. Eve Obara, Dr. Lilian Gogo, Hon. Bensouda, and Senator Beatrice Ogolla.
Other development projects mentioned include the construction of ten fresh produce markets in areas such as Kijebi, Luanda, Sindo, Mbita, and Ndhiwa, as well as the revitalization of key piers in Homa Bay, Kendu Bay, and Mbita. Additionally, the establishment of the Homa Bay Fish Market, initiated in collaboration with the Kenya Kwanza administration, is poised to support the local fishing industry.
Impressively, the county’s own-source revenue has grown by 700 percent—from Ksh 191 million to over Ksh 1 billion in just two and a half years—underlining the county’s robust financial management and economic potential.
With these foundations in place, Homa Bay’s journey toward city status appears firmly on course.
