Although the county is considered one of the best tourist destinations in the Western Circuit, its important natural resources remain neglected.
The county's main tourist attractions include the sandy beaches and islands of Lake Victoria, Tom Mboya Mausoleum, and Ruma National Park, the only habitat for the endangered roan antelope.
However, Abundu and Bara hot springs in the northern part of Rachuonyo remain undeveloped.
Unlike the hot springs in Lake Bogoria National Reserve, which attract national attention and attract thousands of tourists, the two hot springs in Homa Bay are little known.
And residents fear that devolved forces to develop natural resources to transform Karachuonyo's economy will fail.
The two hot springs are tucked away in remote villages with poor access roads and travel is a nightmare.
Alphonse Amayo, a resident of Karachuonyo, said hot springs are supposed to be the community's main source of income, but no one is making money from them.
“The revenue generated from the hot springs can be used to improve the situation of schools in the area. It can also be used to build roads, since it is difficult to get to the site,” Amayo said.
Medicinal effect
Residents also believe that the waters of Abundu and Bara hot springs have medicinal properties. Some people use it to cook food, while others apply it to their bodies to “cure” illnesses. This explains why some visitors go there with jerry cans. Some tourists visit this place by boiling eggs and corn cobs in water.
James Oulu, a resident of Abundu village, said the hot water can be used to treat skin infections.
“If it's true that water can be cured, imagine how much we could collect from that location,” he says.
Mr Owole blamed the fact that there are no tour guides in the area and visitors are exploring on their own. He said marketing and improved access to the hot springs would create jobs for local residents working as tour guides.
“A few visitors give tips to residents they find on site. But there are no regulations governing payments,” Oulu said.
Some religious leaders have turned hot springs into shrines. Sometimes groups of people from several churches in this area go to pray by the hot springs. Some people collect water in containers and take it back to church.
Bernard Ochien said stories about the hot springs have been passed down through generations. For example, it is believed that if a man who has separated from his wife wants her to return to him, he should take a bath in a hot spring.
“There are many stories about water. Some may be fact and others may be myths,” Ochien said.
attract more tourists
Peter Omwansa from Kisii recently visited Abundu Hot Springs with a group of children from the Seventh-day Adventist Church while camping near Homa Hills.
“It was my first time to go to this site and I was so fascinated by what I saw. I had read about it in a book and now I had the opportunity to see it,” Omwansa said. After being informed about the medical value of this water, he drank it for testing.
County Tourism Director Samson Aieko said there are plans to develop hot springs to attract more tourists. However, he said this would be factored into the next financial year. Works include fencing the site and improving roads into the area.
“There was a budget for the development of tourist destinations in the county, but the money was used to improve Lake Simbi Nyaima, which is now fenced and an office block built,” Aieko said.
He added that in Abundu and Bara, the county government will work with local communities to form groups that will be trained as tour guides.
Mr Aieko further indicated that the devolution department is partnering with the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) to develop the site. He said KTB plans to shoot a video to promote the site.
KTB Acting Chief Executive Officer John Chirchir said KTB is working with county administrations to market all tourist destinations within the devolved sectors.
