Abstract:
Irrespective of the scope, any development is meant to significantly enhance the socio-cultural, economic
and environmental pursuits of any given society. Appropriate developmental approach or process delivers
suitable results unlike the reverse. This study used strategic sustainable development process, to
demonstrate how the elitist-top-bottom tourism development approach impacted on the socio-cultural and
economic sustainability at the Mawanga cave/Abasuba rock-painting site/rock art site. Data collected
through interview–based surveys, questionnaires, personal observations and analysis of existing documents,
indicated that the approach failed to reinforce socio-cultural and economic sustainability aspects of tourism.
The sporadic development model inappropriately addressed tourism capacity inadequacies among the
Mawanga rural halieutic community; which justifies the community’s inability to diversify tourism revenue
streams, tourist products, embrace innovative marketing and enhance socio-cultural sustainability. The
insufficiently equipped leadership contributed considerably to the under-exploitation of the Mawanga cave
environs’ umpteen opportunities. The study concludes by suggesting a strategic approach that can be
adopted by the government to enhance the touristic appeal of the Homabay County.
