Until a decade ago, Siungu Beach in Got Agulu was Siaya County’s white sand beach and the venue for an annual boat racing festival.

Lush scenery and Lake Victoria’s soothing breeze made the beach a perfect getaway for local and foreign tourists.

Today, residents only tell stories of how the once-vibrant beachfront, with its tourism potential, has been left barren and desolate due to uncontrolled sand harvesting.