Gold mining site on Masangura Hill in Homa Bay County, on July 14, 2025. [James Omoro, Standard] Residents of Masangura in Homa Bay County are optimistic about a huge change in their fortunes following the discovery of gold in the area. The gold, discovered at the Kasingri West location in Suba Central Sub-county, eight kilometres from Lake Victoria, is expected to reduce fishing pressure on the lake. According to the National Council of Churches of Kenya Chairman in the county, Kenneth Ouma, who is a resident of the village, the discovery of the mineral has seen many locals abandon fishing. He…
Author: By James Omoro
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga during the launch of construction of Expansion of Mbita Water Supply Scheme in Rusinga Town. (James Omoro, Standard). Governor Gladys Wanga has denied allegations that she has begun premature campaigns for the Kasipul parliamentary by-election in a bid to influence who becomes the next MP. This follows the death of former MP Ong’ondo Were, who was shot dead in Nairobi on 30 April. A section of Kasipul residents believe that Wanga’s frequent visits to the constituency are politically motivated, aimed at supporting a candidate of her choice. However, Wanga has clarified that her visits are…
Shofco Sacco Limited chairman Kennedy Odede. [File, Standard] Community-based savings and credit cooperative, Shofco Sacco Limited at the weekend unveiled its fifth branch in Kakamega, as it targets the underserved traders and locals. Speaking during the launch on Friday, the Sacco chairman Kennedy Odede said the expansion marked a significant milestone in the lender’s mission to provide accessible financial services across the country. “This expansion is not just about increasing our footprint, it is about creating lasting impact in communities that need it the most. We envision a future where every Kenyan, regardless of their location, has access to…
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma arrive to slain MP Ongondo Were’s home in Kachien village in Kasipul constituency on May 3,2025. [James Omoro, Standard] ODM leaders have threatened to walk out of the broad-based government if the State fails to arrest and prosecute the killers of slain Kasipul MP Ong’ondo Were. Were was killed by an unknown gunman who shot him severally on Nairobi city’s Ngong road on Wednesday evening. His death has elicited tension in Kasipul Constituency, Homa Bay County. But the death is now threatening the sustainability of the broad-based government…
A family in Homa Bay County is pleading for justice over mysterious death of their 40-year-old son who died in a police cell after being arrested. (James Omoro, Standard). A family of a 40-year-old son who died in a police cell in Homa Bay County is demanding justice. Timon Otieno died on Friday inside the cell of Othoro Police Station in Rachuonyo East Sub-county after his arrest for vandalising security lights at Wang’apala Secondary School. His father, John Ogwan’g, said Otieno was found dead inside the cell on Friday. “I went to the police station to find out why my son was arrested but was kept waiting at the police station for a long time only to be told later that he…
Boats used by fishermen in Lake Victoria. [File, Standard] A 39-year-old fisherman was killed in renewed rivalry over the fishing ground in Mbita Sub-county on Saturday. Fredrick Ooko, a fisherman based at Gode Ariyo Beach, reportedly died after fighting broke out between members of Gode Ariyo Beach and Misori Beach. Trouble started after fishermen from Gode Ariyo Beach went to fish near Misori Beach. Misori Beach members accused their rivals of invading an area that had been set aside for breeding fish. Gode Ariyo Beach Management Unit Chairman Daniel Ombuor said a group of fishermen from Misori Beach who were…
Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino addresses residents during his mother’s 90th birthday celebration in Malela village, on April 20, 2025. [James Omoro, Standard] Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino has warned residents against taking the law into their hands, saying this has led to the loss of lives of innocent people. Owino cited the recent incident where a butcher and his driver were killed near the Kobodo trading centre in Kanyamwa Kologi Ward on suspicion of being cattle thieves. Bob Ochieng, a butcher at Sikwadhi trading centre in North Kabwach Ward, had hired Kevin Odero to ferry a cow he had bought before…
Homa Bay County Referral Hospital mortuary on June 13, 2022 (James Omoro, Standard) Two men have been murdered in Homa Bay County after reportedly being mistaken for cattle thieves. The deceased have been identified as Bob Ochieng, a butcher, and Kevin Odero, a Probox driver. They were killed near Kobodo Market in Kanyamwa Kologi Ward, Ndhiwa Sub-county. The incident began when Ochieng, who operates a butchery at Sikwadhi Trading Centre in North Kabuoch Ward within the same sub-county, travelled to buy a cow from a farmer in Kanyamwa Kologi Ward. Ochieng had reportedly received a phone call on Wednesday evening…
From left, nominated MCA Florence Ouma (in a cap), Kanyamwa Kosewe MCA Nicholas Owaka (in orange T-shirt) and ODM party officials in Ndhiwa Constituency were addressing journalists Homa Bay Town. [James Omoro, Standard] A section of disgruntled ODM members in Homa Bay County wants the planned grassroots elections of the party’s officials cancelled over alleged anomalies in the delegates register. Led by Ndhiwa MP Martin Owino, the members said that concerns raised about the register are yet to be resolved. ODM is set to conduct grassroot elections tomorrow and Wednesday for ward and constituency levels officials. But Owino expressed concerns that…