(Homa Bay) – Victory Farms, a prominent aquaculture company based near Lake Victoria’s Roo Beach, has started building a fish processing plant in Suba Central Sub-county. The facility, named the Suba Value Addition Centre, is being constructed at a cost of 140 million Kenyan shillings (approximately USD 1.05 million as of May 2025). The plant aims to enhance fish export capacity and utilize fish waste to manufacture livestock and fish feeds.
Caesar Asiyo, the company’s Chief Development Officer, explained that the new plant will help Victory Farms expand its reach into international markets by processing fish for export. The facility will also process “ochong’a,” a local term for fish waste, turning it into valuable animal feed.
The plant’s construction was officially launched on Thursday by Homa Bay County’s Fisheries Executive, Sarah Malit, alongside Trade and Investment Executive Joash Aloo. The plant will have the ability to process up to 120 metric tons of fish daily, making it an integrated facility that turns both fresh fish and fish waste into commercial products.
In addition to fish waste, the processing centre will incorporate crops like soybeans to produce high-value livestock feeds, supporting the county’s agricultural economy. However, Asiyo noted that Victory Farms alone does not currently produce enough fish from its cages to meet the plant’s full capacity. To address this, the company plans to collaborate with local fishermen and the Homa Bay county government to secure sufficient fish supply.
Homa Bay County Fisheries Executive Sarah Malit emphasized that the factory will empower local fishermen by creating a stable market for “ochong’a,” which had traditionally been sold at very low prices or discarded as waste. This development is expected to raise incomes for fishermen and reduce waste in the local fishing industry.
The county government strongly supports the investment, highlighting the potential for increased fish production and job creation, particularly for the youth in the area. Malit stated, “The plant will provide employment opportunities and contribute to economic growth in Homa Bay.”
Trade and Investment Executive Joash Aloo described Victory Farms as a key investor in the county. He pointed to an economic survey showing that poverty levels in the area exceeded 60 percent before the company’s establishment but have since improved due to the firm’s impact.
The project has also received backing from the Suba Council of Elders. Secretary Joab Ikawa said the company’s presence has helped reduce crime among youth by providing alternative livelihoods. Ikawa urged the county government to improve access roads to facilitate growth and connectivity in the area.