By Habil Onyango
President William Ruto has fulfilled his pledge of Sh.5million grant to the Homa Bay fishermen to boost their Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO).
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga presented the grant to the County Beach Management Units (BMUs) on Tuesday.
The donation follows the recent Blue Economy Conference held in Homa Bay ahead of the Madaraka Day celebrations.
Governor Wanga said President Ruto made the pledge to BMU officials during the Blue Economy Summit at Tom Mboya University before the Madaraka Day celebration on June 1.
The summit brought together officials from all the beaches on the Homa Bay side of Lake Victoria.
“When we met during the Blue Economy Summit, your leaders presented various challenges you face in your activities and discussed your SACCO, which the President promised to support with Sh5 million,” said the Governor.
“Today, we are handing over a grant of Sh.5 million from His Excellency William Ruto to the Homa Bay BMU Network Cooperative Society. This is a pivotal step in transforming it into one of Kenya’s largest SACCOs,” she added.
“With this initial funding and targeted capacity-building efforts, we are accelerating sustainable fisheries and fostering a thriving blue economy in Homa Bay,” Wanga stated.
“For those who claim that the President makes promises he does not fulfil, we are gathered here today for a commitment that has been honored for the BMU networks of Homa Bay,” she remarked.
According to Wanga, the funds will assist fishermen in acquiring fishing gear, helping them maintain their livelihoods, support their children’s education, and provide for basic needs, thus contributing to the country’s economy.
“The blue economy is a vital sector for this country, and on behalf of all BMUs, I want to thank the President for fulfilling his promise to our fishing community,” she said.
The Governor urged BMU officials to implement proper management strategies to ensure the cooperative’s success. She noted that Kenyans can now access loans more easily through SACCOs, as many banking institutions have made loan services harder to obtain.
She encouraged fishermen to save money to increase their loan limits before borrowing.
The Governor promised that her administration would offer capacity-building support to the Network members and may assign qualified officers to assist in running the SACCO.
“We have significant resources within our community, and if we come together and establish a well-structured management system, we will essentially have our own banks where we can save and obtain loans,” she advised.
Governor Wanga, accompanied by her deputy Oyugi Magwanga, BMU Networks National Chairman Tom Guda, and Homa Bay Chairman Edward Oremo, also pledged an additional Sh1 million personal donation to the Network.
Oremo expressed gratitude to the President for fulfilling his promise to the fishing community, noting that the grant will enhance their livelihoods.
He assured that the fishermen would work diligently to make the SACCO the best in Homa Bay and across the Lake Region.
“We are committed to collaborating with both the national and county governments to ensure the SACCO thrives by hiring experts and establishing an appropriate office to manage it for our members’ benefit,” he said.
Guda thanked the county government for improving infrastructure along the lake, providing patrol boats to the BMUs for security, and addressing their welfare needs.
He emphasized that BMU leadership remains committed to collaborating closely with both levels of government to support initiatives focused on the blue economy and the fishing industry.
