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Historic discussions on development projects for Mfangano Island
Historic discussions on development projects for Mfangano Island
Historic discussions on development projects for Mfangano Island
Historic discussions on development projects for Mfangano Island
Members of MDF and Awivuangano had the honour to meet with the CS National Treasury & Planning Hon John Mbadi N'gon"go - at the Nairobi Safari Club (Formerly Lillian Towers) on 8/5/2025; and the discussed the following:
1. Public Ferry - 600m
Confirmed by the Kisumu Shipyard Finance Officer: Resources have been allocated, Ferry Parts have been purchased and assembling on going at the Shipyard. Possible launch: November 2025.
2. Sena Pier - 600m.
The CS has allocated ks 600m for phase II of the renovations, which he feels will cover Sena Pier, but should the implementing agency fail to cover Mfangano, the CS has promised to allocate funds in the 2025/2026 Supplementary budget to build a Pier/jetty in Mbita and Sena.
3. Sena Airstrip
The CS Promised to engage Kenya Airports Authority (KAA) on the expansion and rehabilitation of the Airstrip and give feedback to MDF as soon as possible.
4. 54km Mfangano Ring Road.
The CS said that he had put in 50m in the 2025/2026 budget to maintain the road. HE also promised to put in cash in the 2026/2026 Supplementary Budget and 2026/2027 budget, to begin tarmacking the road, however the small the allocations.
Hybrid of Electric and Solar Power;
The CS has already contacted the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC) team to tour Mfangano Island from next week 12/5/2025 to survey and make a budget for Solar Power and he promised to follow it up with allocation of funds for the project.
The team will also do a survey on the Last Mile power connectivity, to ensure that around 20-30,000 households within the island are connected to the grid.
Sena Level 4:
The completion of Maternity and Theatre, acquisition of a Mortuary, Land and Marine ambulances Marine ambulance; The CS to engage the County government on these, and will assist on marine ambulance with the Kenya Navy and The Coast Guard Services.
The government is planning a Mega Water Project in Suba North Constituency, Suba South constituency and Ndhiwa to provide piped clean and safe water to residents. The CS is in discussion with Engineer Sam Alima, the Water Secretary at the Ministry of Water, Sanitation and Irrigation on engaged in this for feedback.
The CS is also in discussion with Mr. Peter Odhengo, the Director Financing for Locally Led Climate Action Program under Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) to initiate the Suba West Sub county (Mfangano Island) water project in the coming weeks.
The CS Promised that the government will put up 4 model Laboratories in 4 schools: 1. Wasamo Girls Secondary School 2. Sena Mixed Secondary School 3. Kakiimba Junior School 4. Wakula Junior School; within the island at a cost of about 10m each.
The CS will discuss this with the Mr. Charles Hinga, PS, state Department of Housing and Urban Development, for the construction of affordable houses, especially Hostels, at Mauta Vocational Training Institute and also a modern market at Sena.
Fish Landing Site- Wakula - 150m
The CS increased the allocation from from ks 100m to ks 150m. Staff from the Directorate of Fisheries and Aquaculture Development, under the Ministry of Mining, Blue Economy and Maritime Affairs will be in Mfangano Island in the next 2 weeks to start work, since procurement bids were already called for by the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP) on 29/4/2025.
1. Request for a borehole at Ks 10m.
The CS said he will look into it.
2. Rehabilitation and completion of the Wasamo health Facility and posting of a Clinical Officer.
The CS will give a feedback on this.
Special appreciation to Elder Judith Omogi Kamaria and her husband Elvis Abonyo Oyugi, for making this meeting and engagement possible.
Elder Kamaria in addition ensured that in the meantime, the CS allocated the ks 50m for the Mfangano Ring Road maintenance, pending tarmacking, while Abonyo Oyugi is credited with pushing for the Model laboratories. Am. K'achola brought in the Wasamo Girls issues. Thank you.
I also appreciate the following members of MDF and Awivuangano who attended the meeting:
1. First lady Beatrice Rakoro
2. VC Cleo Mbeo
3. Elder Obadiah Wasonga
4. Elder Eliazar Otiato Ochola
5. Elder Josephine Mbeo- Oduol
6. Elder Kennedy Onyonyi
7. Amos Sikweya
8. Gordon K'achola
9. Elder Elekiah Ojwang
10. Julius Ogutu
11. Omogi Elekiah
12. Clara Florence
13. Hellen Nyakiamo
14. Otaka Jackson
15. Agnes Oloo- Citizen TV.
Apologies
1. MCA - Tom Raila Ojwang
2. Elder Emmans Otadoh
3. Job Orifah - SG
4. Silas Jakakiimba
5. Eng. Alphonce Odera
6. Felix Oulo
Thank you.
Daniel Rakoro
Chairman- MDF
600m allocated with parts being assembled at Kisumu Shipyard. Expected launch November 2025.
REREC team to survey Mfangano Island for solar power and last mile connectivity for 20-30,000 households.
4 model labs to be built in Wasamo Girls, Sena Mixed, Kakiimba and Wakula schools at 10m each.
At the heart of our community work lies a deep commitment to improving access to quality healthcare. In this recent milestone, the Health Committee—through generous support from our partners—delivered a critical consignment of medicines to Sena Hospital, one of the island’s key health facilities. The donated drugs will support ongoing efforts to treat common illnesses and provide relief to patients who would otherwise face long travel distances or medicine shortages. This initiative is part of a broader community health program aimed at promoting wellness, preventive care, and medical equity across Mfangano.
Elypen-250 was among the essential drugs delivered, supporting broader antibiotic treatment coverage. While specific uses may vary, medicines like Elypen are often prescribed to manage bacterial infections common in outpatient care. Providing such drugs ensures that local clinics can respond quickly to common ailments and prevent complications from untreated infections
Malaria remains one of the leading health concerns on Mfangano Island. Among the donated medicines was a supply of high-efficacy anti-malaria drugs, aimed at protecting the most vulnerable—especially children and expectant mothers. These medications will help ease the burden on local health workers and reduce the number of severe cases requiring referrals off the island.
Beyond individual treatments, the donation included a wide variety of general-purpose medications. From pain relief to basic wound care, these small but vital supplies will support day-to-day care at Sena Hospital. Each item plays a critical role in ensuring no patient goes without basic treatment due to supply gaps.
“Where the road ends, the lake begins—and the journey continues.” For the people of Mfangano, the Suba Waterbus is more than transport—it’s a lifeline. Whether ferrying patients to hospitals, students to school, or elders to regional gatherings, this vessel moves with the heartbeat of the island. In partnership with local leaders, the Mfangano Development Forum supports reliable, safe water transport as a pillar of community resilience. Every crossing tells a story of connection, access, and shared progress.
Guided by tradition, united by purpose. In a powerful moment captured during a recent planning session, the Organizing Secretary of the Mfangano Development Forum stands alongside two revered members of the Council of Elders, one in solemn prayer. This image reflects the deep cultural and spiritual foundations that guide every initiative on the island. From health to education, development begins with grounded leadership—and a vision rooted in unity, wisdom, and hope for future generations.
Our language, dress, and customs are not just history—they are living expressions of who we are. Preserving them is essential to building identity and pride, especially among the younger generation growing up in a changing world.
Access to clean water, healthcare, and education remains uneven across the island. But as a community, we continue to organize, speak up, and work together. Every small step forward is a shared victory—proof that progress is possible when we’re united.
As new projects and infrastructure come to the island, our people want growth that respects the environment, traditions, and social fabric of Mfangano. True development listens first, then acts in partnership with the community.
Step onto the shores of Mfangano Island and enter a world where time slows down, stories come alive, and every path leads to a memory. Whether you’re exploring sacred caves, hiking lush hills with panoramic lake views, or immersing yourself in the rich heritage of the Abasuba people, Mfangano offers an experience unlike any other. Beyond the island, the surrounding villages and lakefront communities welcome you with authentic hospitality, vibrant marketplaces, and a rhythm of life deeply connected to nature. From sunrise canoe rides to sunset drumming circles, every visit leaves you transformed. Come not just to see, but to connect. Come to Mfangano—and stay for its spirit.
On August 23rd and 24th, 2024, Mfangano Island came alive with aspiration and direction as the Kenya Universities and Colleges Central Placement Service (KUCCPS), in collaboration with Mfangano Development Forum (MDF), hosted a transformative Career Guidance Camp for students and recent school leavers. Over the two-day event, learners engaged directly with KUCCPS officers, receiving in-depth advice on course selection, university and TVET pathways, application processes, and aligning passions with market-driven careers. Special sessions tackled emerging fields, government sponsorship opportunities, and how to avoid common mistakes in course applications. Sponsored by MDF as part of its commitment to education and youth empowerment, the camp was a timely intervention during the school holiday—giving island youth the tools, clarity, and confidence to take their next big step. The future isn’t far—it starts with the right guidance.
In a major milestone for local enterprise development, the Mfangano Island Boda Boda SACCO, led by its dynamic chairman Calvin Orifa, has officially received a KES 1 million revolving fund from the County Government of Homa Bay. This financial boost marks a significant step forward in empowering the island’s boda boda operators—many of whom rely on motorbike transport as their primary source of livelihood. The revolving fund is expected to play a transformative role in strengthening the SACCO’s capacity to offer affordable loans, improve member welfare, and support the growth of small-scale transport businesses across Mfangano Island. It also reflects the County Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting grassroots economic empowerment and fostering inclusive growth in underserved regions. Chairman Orifa expressed his gratitude for the support, noting that the fund will not only enhance financial stability for SACCO members but also contribute to improved transport services, safety, and economic activity on the island. With this investment, Mfangano Island’s boda boda community is poised to accelerate progress, create more job opportunities, and chart a new path toward long-term sustainability and development.
