By Kepher Otieno - Reporter
Kenya, 5 December 2025 - In Kisumu, an unconventional and spirited initiative is set to take center stage: a fish-eating contest with a purpose.
Scheduled for 6 December 2025, the event combines fun, culture, and social empowerment, aiming to raise funds to establish a women-centred ICT Mashinani Hub in Kisumu County.
The hubs will provide digital tools and training designed to empower marginalized women and girls, opening doors to entrepreneurship, communication, advocacy, and broader participation in the digital economy.
Mr Lawrence Apiyo, the Grassroots Trust Coordinator, described the contest as “an excellent opportunity to reconnect the Luo community with the fishing industry.”
He emphasized that the event is about more than just eating fish.
It is a bridge between tradition and progress.
“We want to fundraise towards a women’s project by establishing an ICT Mashinani Hub for the women of Kisumu County. It will take place from 11am to 4pm at Pinecone Hotel,” he explained.
According to Apiyo, the courses offered in the hubs are carefully curated to address the underrepresentation of women in digital spaces.
“We want to bring them into this space. They will be able to acquire skills related to business, communication, and advocacy in public life,” he clarified.
The fish-eating contest draws on Kisumu’s deep-rooted fishing culture, celebrating the community’s longstanding relationship with Lake Victoria.
“Eat fish and be wise. Let us hold hands with our women for a prosperous society,” Apiyo urged, underscoring the inseparable connection between the Luo people and the lake.
Contestants will be judged not only on their appetite but also on skill, including how efficiently they can separate fish flesh from bones.
“We want to see those who really know how to eat fish. The youth leave the flesh, and how fast you can separate the bones,” he said.
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Winners will receive cash prizes of KSh 7,000, KSh 5,000, and KSh 3,000 for first, second, and third place respectively, providing an extra incentive for participation.
Beyond the contest, the event is designed as a holistic platform for learning and awareness.
Participants and spectators will engage in talks and discussions on sustainable fishing practices, protecting the lake, and fostering stronger ties with the water as Jonam — the traditional fisherfolk.
The event reflects a broader mission to empower women while also promoting environmental stewardship and community cohesion.
Mr Paul Rangoro, a Nyalenda community member working closely with colleagues from Obunga and Manyatta areas through Grassroots Trust, echoed the call for community involvement.
“We have similar ideals which are championed by the organisation and call upon all city residents to turn out in large numbers for the Fish Eating Contest,” he said.
Mr Rangoro also highlighted the transformative potential of the ICT hubs, emphasizing that they would improve women’s entrepreneurship and online marketing skills, equipping them to compete in the digital economy and expand their business opportunities.
“We are glad that the ICT hubs will not only improve their entrepreneurship skills but also their online marketing skills,” he noted.
The contest represents a convergence of culture, community, and social progress. It celebrates Kisumu’s rich fishing heritage while addressing the structural barriers that have historically limited women’s access to technology and education. For many women in the city and surrounding rural areas, the ICT hubs will provide more than computer access; they will offer a safe and supportive environment for learning, networking, and building confidence.
This initiative also reflects the broader transformation in Lake Victoria’s blue economy. Women are increasingly taking on leadership roles in the fishing sector — owning boats, managing crews, and participating in fisheries governance. With the support of digital skills and innovative tools, they can further expand their influence, improving livelihoods, promoting sustainability, and challenging traditional barriers in the industry. The fish-eating contest, therefore, is not merely a celebration of culture but a tangible step toward women’s economic empowerment and community-wide prosperity.
By combining tradition, competition, and education, the Fish Eating Contest sends a powerful message: cultural practices can coexist with modern empowerment initiatives, and economic and digital inclusion for women is critical for a thriving community. In Kisumu, the event symbolizes hope, creativity, and progress, showing that when culture, technology, and social purpose intersect, transformative change is possible.
