KOGINGA — A gleaming new fish market stands on the shores of Lake Victoria, its stainless-steel counters and ice-cold storage rooms replacing the cluttered, makeshift stalls that once defined fish trading in this part of western Kenya.
At a cost of KSh345 million, the Koginga Modern Fish Market in Homa Bay County is complete ahead of schedule and ready for use, according to government officials. President William Ruto is expected to officially commission the facility on Friday afternoon.
“This is a turning point,” said Lilian Kieni, Director of Urban Development at the State Department for Housing and Urban Development. “We are giving fish traders many of whom are women a safe, clean, and reliable place to work.”
The market, built under the Kenya Urban Support Programme, is one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects tied to the government’s effort to formalise informal trade and expand economic opportunity. More than 2,000 traders from Homa Bay and neighbouring counties are set to benefit.
Designed with both hygiene and efficiency in mind, the facility includes retail stalls, fish scaling and gutting stations, a food court, cold and dry storage units, and even a mooring dock for fishermen arriving straight from Lake Victoria. There are also designated areas for processed fish and shaded landing sheds, along with toilets, kitchens, and a sanitation system.
A high-capacity water tower and an underground tank ensure a steady water supply, while an ICT hub is intended to help traders keep records and process digital transactions.
Officials say the design reflects the needs of local traders especially the “mama samaki,” or women who make a living selling fish in local markets, often under harsh conditions.
“For years, these women operated out of makeshift structures with no refrigeration,” said Kieni. “They were at the mercy of the weather, and their goods would spoil. This changes that.”
The project also includes mother-and-child care spaces, ramps for disability access, and better lighting around the compound, offering safety during early morning and evening trading hours.
Homa Bay has long been a major hub for fish in Kenya, thanks to its location along Lake Victoria. But poor infrastructure and limited storage facilities have often forced traders to sell quickly at low prices or risk losing their catch entirely.
The new market, officials say, could help reduce post-harvest losses, add value through processing, and boost incomes across the sector. It is also expected to increase tax revenue for both the county and national governments.
“This isn’t just a building,” said a senior official from the Ministry of Housing, speaking to the press at the site. “It’s an economic lifeline for thousands of families who depend on the lake.”
The market forms part of a wider push by President Ruto’s administration to support small-scale traders through better infrastructure. Similar projects are underway in other counties as part of the national plan to revitalise local economies.
For residents of Koginga, the hope is simple that the sleek new facility will bring not just dignity, but prosperity.
“Now we have a proper place to work,” said Mary Achieng, a fish vendor for over a decade. “We can store our fish, we can sell in peace, and maybe even save something at the end of the day.”
