The headquarters of the pioneer independent church in Kenya, Nomiya church together with the tomb of its founder, Johana Owalo will be included in the Western Kenya tourism circuit, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism, Wildlife and heritage, Peninah Malonza has said.
Malonza said that her ministry will partner with the church to preserve the site, in Oboch village in Rarieda Sub County, Siaya given that Nomiya was the first independent church in Kenya.
She was speaking at the church headquarters where, she, together with cabinet secretary for Information, Communication and the Digital Economy led senior officials from the national museums of Kenya to tour the site.
The cabinet secretary said that her ministry will partner with the church to gazette the church founder, Johana Owalo’s mausoleum and the headquarters as a heritage site.
Malonza said that her ministry was committed to opening up of the Western Tourism Circuit through promotion of religious tourism, adding that the circuit, together with the northern one will give tourists visiting the country diverse products.
Johana Owalo founded Nomiya Luo Church in 1907. He was the grandfather of the ICT cabinet secretary, Eliud Owalo.
