Socio-political commentator Billy Mijungu.PHOTO:POOL
For decades, development discussions in Kenya have often revolved around major urban centres such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Eldoret.
Yet, hidden in the southwestern corner of the country lies a region with immense potential to emerge as one of East Africa’s most vibrant economic corridors.
The Suba-Kuria belt in Migori County possesses all the ingredients necessary to become a thriving border city and industrial hub, but it remains largely overlooked despite its strategic advantages.
The question is no longer whether Suba-Kuria can become an economic powerhouse. The real question is whether leaders at both the county and national levels have the vision, courage, and commitment to unlock its potential.
A Strategic Location Waiting for Exploitation
Geography has often determined the success of great cities around the world. Suba-Kuria is uniquely positioned at the intersection of domestic and international trade routes, making it one of Kenya’s most strategically located regions.
At the heart of this opportunity lies the Migori Aerodrome, situated near Lichota. Currently serving local tourism circuits connecting Nyatike, Migori, and the Maasai Mara, the airstrip already demonstrates its viability through regular flights. However, its potential extends far beyond tourism.
With proper modernization and expansion, the facility could become an international logistics hub serving both Kenya and neighbouring Tanzania. It could facilitate cargo transportation, attract multinational companies seeking regional distribution centres, and provide passenger services linking the region directly to major East African cities.
Such an investment would not only create employment but also position Migori as a gateway to East Africa’s growing regional market.
Isibania: A Goldmine of Cross-Border Trade
Few border towns in Kenya enjoy the commercial advantages available to Isibania. Every day, thousands of people and tonnes of goods cross between Kenya and Tanzania, creating a vibrant but largely informal economy.
The establishment of a fully integrated border city stretching from Isibania through Kehancha to Migori could revolutionize trade between the two countries.
Formalizing cross-border commerce through modern markets, export processing zones, customs facilities, and logistics parks would generate enormous revenue for the Kenya Revenue Authority while empowering local traders to expand their businesses legally and competitively.
Across Africa, border cities such as Busia, Namanga, and Malaba have demonstrated how strategic investment in trade infrastructure can transform local economies. Isibania possesses the same potential, if not greater.
Agriculture: The Foundation of Industrial Growth
One of the greatest strengths of the Suba-Kuria region is its agricultural diversity.
Kuria is renowned for dairy farming and livestock production, while Nyatike boasts some of Kenya’s richest fishing grounds, particularly around Muhuru Bay and Lake Victoria.
Together, these sectors present an opportunity for large-scale value addition.
Rather than exporting raw milk, livestock, and fish products, the region can attract investors to establish processing plants that manufacture cheese, yoghurt, powdered milk, packaged meat products, fish fillets, fish oil, and fish feeds.
Such industries would significantly increase earnings for farmers and fishermen while creating thousands of jobs for young people.
The recently completed aggregation centre at Macalder-Kanyaruanda provides an excellent starting point. If properly managed, the facility can become a nucleus for industrial activity, linking producers directly to processors and markets.
Beyond Livestock and Fish: The Agro-Processing Revolution
The economic opportunities in Kuria and Nyatike extend far beyond dairy and fisheries.
The region’s fertile soils support maize farming, banana cultivation, horticulture, and various cash crops. Yet post-harvest losses remain a persistent challenge.
Investment in maize milling plants, banana processing factories, animal feed manufacturing, fruit packaging centres, and cold storage facilities could dramatically reduce waste while increasing household incomes.
Agriculture must cease being viewed merely as subsistence activity. It should become the engine that drives industrialization.
Mining: Migori’s Untapped Treasure Chest
Migori County is endowed with substantial mineral resources, including gold deposits that have attracted artisanal miners for decades.
Yet despite these resources, the county has not fully benefited from mining activities due to inadequate regulation, poor infrastructure, and limited investment.
A well-planned Suba-Kuria economic zone could provide a framework for responsible mineral exploitation, attracting investors while ensuring local communities benefit through jobs, infrastructure, and revenue sharing.
Countries such as Botswana have demonstrated how mineral wealth can transform entire regions when supported by sound governance and strategic planning.
Migori can learn from such examples.
Renewable Energy: Powering Future Growth
No industrial transformation can occur without reliable energy.
The expansive landscapes of Kuria and Nyatike offer ideal conditions for solar power generation. With Kenya already positioning itself as a leader in renewable energy, the region could become a major contributor to the country’s green energy ambitions.
Solar farms could power industries, reduce electricity costs, and attract investors seeking environmentally sustainable production locations.
Energy infrastructure would also support digital innovation, manufacturing, and modern agricultural practices.
Tourism: An Overlooked Economic Asset
While discussions about Migori often focus on agriculture and mining, tourism remains one of its most underutilized assets.
The region offers unique attractions, including the shores of Lake Victoria, Muhuru Bay, cultural heritage sites, and proximity to Tanzania’s Serengeti ecosystem and the Maasai Mara.
Improved infrastructure, hospitality investments, and marketing campaigns could transform Suba-Kuria into a significant tourism destination.
Tourism generates employment across multiple sectors, including transport, hospitality, entertainment, and retail.
Leadership Will Determine Success
Despite these enormous opportunities, one reality remains undeniable: development rises and falls on leadership.
Infrastructure alone cannot create prosperity. Economic transformation requires visionary leadership capable of mobilizing resources, attracting investors, coordinating government agencies, and ensuring accountability.
Migori County’s leaders must move beyond political rhetoric and develop a comprehensive long-term master plan for the Suba-Kuria economic corridor.
National government agencies must also recognize the strategic importance of the region and provide the necessary support.
The dream of a border city is not unrealistic. The ingredients already exist. The airport is there. The border is there. The agricultural resources are there. The minerals are there. The people are there.
What remains is the political will to connect these opportunities into a coherent development strategy.
The Bottom Line
Suba-Kuria is not merely another rural region waiting for development assistance. It is a sleeping giant capable of becoming Kenya’s next major border economic city.
If properly planned and supported, the region could emerge as a centre for trade, manufacturing, logistics, mining, agriculture, tourism, and renewable energy, transforming not only Migori County but also contributing significantly to Kenya’s national economy.
The opportunity is staring us in the face. The danger is not that the vision is impossible. The danger is that we may continue to ignore it until another generation passes by.
Kenya cannot afford to let the Suba-Kuria dream remain just that—a dream. It is time to build the border city of the future.
Billy Mijungu is a sociopolitical commentator and Migori senatorial aspirant
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