Oyugis

Oyugisis the second-largest town (afterHoma Baytown) inHoma Bay Countyin NyanzaKenya.The town lies along theKisumu-Kisiihighway. It is the commercial and financial centre of Rachuonyo Sub-County inHoma Bay Countyof the formerNyanza Province.

Though small in comparison to neighbouringKisii,Oyugis has recently registered fast growth especially since the creation of the district and increased use of the town by NGOs operating in the area and theSondu Miriuhydroelectric power station.

Location

Oyugis is located 20 kilometres north ofKisiitown along the majorA1 Highway.There is also an inter-county road (C26) connecting Oyugis toKendu Baywhile C18 road links Oyugis with Homa Bay Town via Rangwe. There are also other link roads like Oyugis-Gamba which heads to Nyamira and Kisii counties.

Population

Preschoolers at the Amani Daycare Center pose for a photo in Oyugis.

At the last census taken, Oyugis had a town council with a population of 52,433, of whom 9,084 are classified urban (1999 census). Much of the adult population has taken to theAgrarianlifestyle. The population has a relatively low level ofHIV/AIDSin comparison to the other towns located in the Nyanza province.

Electoral constituency

Oyugis area formsKasipul Constituency.It has five County Assembly wards: West Kamagak Ward, East Kamagak Ward, West Kasipul Ward, Central Kasipul Ward and South Kasipul Ward. Administratively, Oyugis is in Kasipul division which is one of the 19 divisions in Homabay county. The Kasipul Constituency is partitioned from theKasipul Kabondo Constituency.

Education

The town hosts several important academic institutions like theAgoro Sare High Schooland Oyugis Craft Training Center. Other notable institutions include Wire Secondary School, Nyabola Girls school, Buoye Secondary School Mititi mixed secondary school, Nyagiela secondary, DOL-Kodera mixed secondary, Nyagowa secondary school, Kwoyo-kotieno secondary school among others. It is also the home to one of the oldest primary schools in Kenya, Wire Primary School, DOL-kodera Primary established in 1912,1927 respectively.

Hearts For Kenya

Hearts for Kenya, based in Louisville, Kentucky, exists for the purpose of combating poverty, hunger and disease in small, agrarian communities within the Nyanza province of Kenya. Its headquarters, the "Amani Daycare Center and Agrarian Institute" are located in the town of Oyugis. Ancillary projects, which are vital to the success of the agricultural project, are centered around building, nutrition, education, assistance to orphans and widows, health services, and a tree nursery. The intent of Hearts for Kenya is to enable the local citizens to carry on the projects autonomously.

The core of the venture spearheaded by Hearts for Kenya, now in its eleventh year, is a project aimed primarily at increasing agricultural productivity and establishing a niche crop. By 2017, they hope to have a medical clinic built, established and operating.

References

• $\uparrow$Hearts for Kenya:http://heartsforkenya.org/farmers/