Marathon initiative launched seeks to boost tourism in Homa Bay

Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga has launched an event to promote tourism in Ruma National Park.

The event dubbed Roan Antelope Half Marathon- Mock Run is part of the initiatives for popularizing the park both nationally and internationally.

Ruma National Park is unique for being the only park where a rare species of antelopes known as the roan antelopes is domiciled.

The launch is a precursor to the Roan Antelope Half Marathon scheduled for August 10 and 11.

Wanga said the event is aimed at popularizing the Ruma National Park to enhance tourism.

“We have a park with very high potential in tourism that can lead to economic growth but many people do not know much about it. We are holding the Roan Antelope Half Marathon to enhance visibility of the park so tourism can improve,” Wanga said.

She called on stakeholders to join them in the initiative.

“I appeal to various stakeholders to collaborate with us in putting Ruma National Park in the national and international map. This can be achieved by registering to participate in the marathon,” Wanga said.

She said the ultimate goal of the initiative was to improve the livelihoods of the people living in the area.

“We want Ruma National Park to be useful to the people of this county. This can be achieved if we boost tourism here,” Wanga

The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS)’s Kennedy Ochieng, said the event will enhance the conservation of roan antelopes.

He said the roan antelopes sometimes suffer environmental challenges, which are being addressed.

Ochieng said they were working with the Homa Bay County government and other partners to improve the environment for the roan antelopes.

He said the improved environment will enhance the multiplication of the roan antelopes in the park.

“As KWS, we are committed to ensuring that we create an enabling environment for the multiplication of the roan antelopes. I believe that our partnership with the county government and other stakeholders will enable us to achieve this,” Ochieng said.

He expressed his commitment to improving the park to ensure that it benefits both the current and future generations.

“We are putting in possible efforts to improve the park and ensure that the future generations get what will benefit them,” he added.

He said they will lease out parts of the park to private developers to establish hotels to boost tourism in the area.

“We are ready to partner with private developers to establish hospitality facilities in the park,” Ochieng.

The National Assembly Minority Leader, June Mohamed, said Ruma can create a lot of wealth if utilised well.

“Game parks have made some counties rich. Homa Bay can also be rich if we make use of this park properly,” Mohamed.