This archive report was first published on 14 September 2019.
Located about one kilometre off the shores of Usenge Town, Sirigombe Island has a dark past as a prison for Mau Mau freedom fighters in the 1950s. In 1953, the island was chosen, alongside Mageta Island in Siaya County, as the best spot to lock up 2,000 political prisoners who were agitating for freedom.
Our guide, Isaiah Onyango, a 62-year-old resident of Usoga village, shared with us the story of the detainees who were brought to the island. According to Onyango, the government shipped off the political detainees to the island to rehabilitate them by making them work hard in a strange land where they were linguistically and culturally isolated.
Onyango also revealed that the island was used as a fattening ground for animals, with farmers from as far as Nyamonye and Ramogi bringing their animals to the island, where they would stay for years. He said, “We realised the island was very safe since there were no wild animals that could attack our cattle.”
However, the island has also been avoided by locals due to alleged powerful spirits that would sometimes hover all over the island. “We have had instances where fire would mysteriously light up in the island and raze the vegetation yet people don’t live here,” Onyango said. He further said some fishermen would hear strange sounds from the island especially at night.
Despite its dark past, Sirigombe Island has a rich history that is slowly being uncovered. Some residents have expressed interest to invest in the island, among them Central Alego MCA Leonard Oriaro and the Bishop of ACK Bondo Diocese Prof David Kodia. According to the County Executive for Tourism Charles Ogada, the county government is keen on preserving the rich history of the struggle for independence and county’s heritage.
Published on September 14, 2019, in The Standard.
