County Governments in Nyanza region have been challenged to pay more attention to historical sites that can attract tourists.
Professor Gordon Wayumba, a lecturer at The Technical University of Kenya said there are historical sites in the region that must be improved.
Wayumba said the county governments must allocate funds to preserve these sites as a way of attracting tourism.
“We have many tourist sites across the region, for example, Thim Lich Ohinga in Migori County, that is a site that if preserved properly will gain international attention,” he said.
He said there is need to document all the sites, preserve them and market them locally and internationally.
Speaking during the launch of Kogony community strategic plan at Kirembe Primary School on Friday, Wayumba said Western Kenya Tourism Circuit has potential that must be nurtured.
He said tourists should not only be preoccupied by visiting the home of US President Barack Obama in Kogelo but also sample tourist attractions in the region.
Wayumba announced that he has engaged Mzalendo Kibunja of the Museums of Kenya to be able to document some Luo heroes who were forgotten.
He said there is need to build mausoleums for some of these heroes and document their lifestyle.
“I have engaged the director of Museums of Kenya to see how we can document Luo heroes and built mausoleums like that one of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga in Bondo,” he said.
Wayumba said this should be done to preserve the culture of the community and give the next generation a chance to read more about their forefathers.
“My generation knows about these heroes, what about our children and grand children? If we cannot document the history of these people, then the next generation will miss a lot,” he said.