The Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) has teamed up with the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation to boost tourism in the region.
LREB CEO Victor Nyagaya announced that this partnership aims to make Kisumu County the primary destination for tourists from India visiting Kenya.
Speaking at the Festac Africa Festival Tourism Summit in Kisumu, Nyagaya highlighted the unique and underutilized tourist attractions within LREB.
He mentioned that discussions with the Indian state corporation are progressing well, and they are close to signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish Kisumu County as the regional tourism hub between Kenya and India.
This initiative will encourage Indian tourists to start their Kenyan journey in Kisumu before exploring other parts of the country.
Nyagaya noted that over 400,000 Kenyans travel to India annually for medical services, while around one million Indians visit Kenya each year for business and leisure.
He emphasized the scenic beauty across the 14 counties under LREB and urged both local and international tourists to explore these sites before heading to other parts of Kenya.
Nyagaya proposed changing the tourism narrative by making the lake region the starting point, followed by visits to the Masai Mara and ending in Mombasa.
He called on stakeholders to support the bloc’s efforts to transform the region into a tourism hub, shifting focus from the coastal and Masai Mara destinations to foster growth in the lake region’s tourism industry.
Nyagaya also highlighted the region’s diverse culture and annual festivals, such as the Fish Fiesta and Tourism Week in Kisumu County, and the Migwena Community Sports and Cultural Festival in Siaya County, which can attract tourists interested in local culture and heritage.
He mentioned various attractions like the Thimlich Ohinga archaeological site in Migori, The Crying Stone in Kakamega, Kit Mikayi in Kisumu, Lake Simbi Nyaima in Homa Bay, and the tea estates in Kericho and Bomet, showcasing the region’s rich offerings.
At the same forum, County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Tourism Farida Salim acknowledged Kisumu’s efforts in promoting cultural tourism to showcase the region’s heritage and tap into the global tourism market.
Salim emphasized that promoting cultural assets—history, traditions, music, art, and festivals—can create jobs, support local businesses, and enhance community livelihoods while driving sustainable development.
She reiterated the county’s commitment to promoting culture and heritage to position Kisumu and Kenya as leading cultural tourism destinations.