Victory Farms has commenced construction of a Kshs 40 million fish processing plant in Suba Central Sub-county, a major investment expected to boost fish exports and local livelihoods.
Speaking during the launch, the company’s Chief Development Officer, Caesar Asiyo, said the new facility will enable Victory Farms to export fish to international markets. The aquaculture company, based at Roo Beach on Lake Victoria, also plans to use the plant to manufacture animal feeds from fish waste, locally known as “ochong’a.”
“The Suba Value Addition Centre will be an integrated fish processing plant because it will utilise fish waste to make animal feeds as well,” Asiyo said.
He added that the centre will have the capacity to process 120 metric tons of fish per day and will also incorporate crops such as soybeans alongside ochong’a to produce high-value livestock feeds. However, Asiyo pointed out that Victory Farms cannot currently supply the full 120 metric tons daily from its fish cages. To bridge this gap, the company plans to partner with local fishermen and the Homa Bay County government.
“We’re going to collaborate with other fishermen and the Homa Bay County government to see if we can come together to source more fish,” he said.
The groundbreaking ceremony was presided over by Homa Bay County Fisheries Executive Sarah Malit and Trade and Investment Executive Joash Aloo. Malit welcomed the investment, describing the integrated plant as a game-changer for local fishermen. She noted that ochong’a has traditionally been treated as waste and sold at very low prices.
“Homa Bay County government supports such investments, and its expansion will ensure an increase in fish production. The plant will provide job opportunities for our youths,” Malit said.
Aloo praised Victory Farms as one of the premier investors in Homa Bay, highlighting its impact on the local economy.
“An economic survey showed that the locality of the company used to be poor, with more than a 60 per cent poverty index. But the situation has now changed since the firm was established,” Aloo said.
