Fishing for a fortune on his father’s farm

Migori, Kenya: When he completed his secondary education in 2002, Jared Otieno opted to start fish farming in his parents’ piece of land.

Otieno, 31, who hails from Migori County, had seen fishing at the lakeside transform many households for the better.

"I did not want to go to the big cities like Nairobi, Kisumu and Mombasa to search for elusive jobs and end up suffering.

Many of my friends had done the same but they came home brokenhearted.

Others have become criminals. Given that I came from a poor background, I decided to come up with a solution to also assist my family."

In 2009, he dug a fish pond.

This has since been like a magic wand in life and by extension that of his parents and siblings.

His first harvest brought in Sh5,000 but since then he has been enjoying a big bounty.

"Last year was my actualisation season. I was able to hit the Sh100,000 mark. It has been a struggle up the hill but I have kept fighting for the best. I am not stopping at anything," says a jovial Otieno.

Last year, two harvests gave him Sh120,000. And this figure has changed his life and that of his family. He has built a semi-permanent house for himself and another for his parents. He is also educating his siblings in high school.

"I have achieved this because I saw opportunity in my backyard. If I had chosen to move out of my village, I am sure I would be struggling to make ends meet. My family is now sure of a secure tomorrow."

Otieno has since set his sights on another opportunity in the village.

A polytechnic which is currently under construction, he says, will give him new ground for expansion.

"It is soon admitting students who will need a shop among other services. With the little amount I have saved, I will start a shop to serve the students. This will automatically give me a big break-through."