Western Region

In depth discussions, analysis, key facts and statistics to help you understand Kenya’s western region. The western region of Kenya refers to areas that border and surround the Kenyan section of Lake Victoria i.e. the former Nyanza, Western and western edges of Rift Valley provinces. Following promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010, administratively, the region consists of the following counties: Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Kisumu, Homabay, Migori, Kisii, Nyamira, Bomet and Kericho counties. These counties are also members of the Lake Region Economic Block.

Notable Deaths 2023: Joseph Kubende Biography, Age, Career, Education, Wife, Family, Net Worth, Death

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Joseph Kubende

Joseph Kubende was a Kenyan gifted Bukusu language orator, published author and political operative. Who is Joseph Kubende Joseph loved to call himself Kubende Wa’Wekhomba. In his health, Wa’Wekhomba loved to dance kamabeka and sing to the public. He had a voice full of life which he was not ashamed to make use of, be … Read more

The Deadliest Roads in Western Kenya: Accident Black spots that have wantonly claimed lives (and what to be on the look out for next time you hit the road)

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Every other few months, the people of western Kenya slip into mourning. Yet another accident. Innocent lives lost. The country robbed of hard working citizens. Mums, dads, brothers, sisters, sons and daughters lost. These are the deadliest roads in western Kenya. We urge all road users to be follow road rules and be extra cautious … Read more

Western Kenya counties rich list: Kakamega County richest, Vihiga poorest

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Which is the richest county in Western Kenya? We look to data from CBK and KNBS to reveal western Kenya counties rich list. While CBK data gives us the number of banks and the corresponding bank penetration in the counties, KNBS data informs us of not only the population of these counties, but also the … Read more

Kumukhendie: Why this indigenous tree, also known as Lusasari, was bad news in Luhya culture

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poster with image of skull titled kumukhendie tree - a tale of misfortune and a tree

Kumukhendie tree (Bukusu) or Lusasari (Maragoli) is tropical flora of East Africa. As with any indeginouse tree, the cultural value of kumukhendie varies with the tribal group. For the Luhya of Kenya, in particular in the Bukusu belief system, this tree, whose scientific name is Allophylus ferr, was a much feared one. Find out why … Read more

Mabanga in Bungoma, Kenya: What’s in a Name? The Bloody History of an Emerging Market Town in Western Kenya

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poster titled Mabanga Bungoma, Kenya on canvas of a red splashed fluid that looks like blood

What’s in a name? Mabanga in Bungoma, Kenya. Meet the market town named blood thanks to a notorious section of the Kenya-Uganda highway Coming from Webuye, heading to Bungoma Town along the Northern Corridor, some 17kms from Bungoma’s CBD, one rides on a long straight stretch of the highway that cuts through acres of swamp … Read more

Chepkube: The heart wrenching story of a black market border town through the song ‘Mayi mutiti sali nga mayi…’

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poster with image of coffee beans in ganny bag tited 'Chephube - the other story of love and coffee'

1976 to 1979 were good years for the Kenyan smuggler. US President Jimmy Carter banned US importation of Ugandan coffee. This followed the abduction of Archbishop Janaan Luwuum by the Idi Amin regime when the man of God, and fierce critic, was delivering his Sunday sermon. He was never to be seen alive again. As … Read more

In western Kenya and experiencing COVID-19 symptoms? Know of a suspected case? Do you have an inquiry or report on novel coronavirus?Here are the Bungoma, Vihiga, Busia and Kakamega county COVID-19 hotline numbers

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poster with new coronavirus signs and symptoms and national and county COVID-19 hotline numbers

Find county COVID-19 hotline numbers for Vihiga, Busia, Bungoma and Kakamega counties. We urge members of the public to make prudent use of these numbers and avoid misuse. In these unprecedented times, take deliberate steps to protect yourself and your loved ones from the new coronavirus. Update (24th October 2020) Busia county alongside Bungoma county … Read more

Mulembe In Numbers: Population Of Vihiga, Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia Counties By Sub-County As Per Kenya Census 2019

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poster mulembe in numbers

What’s the story of Mulembe in numbers? We lift key population metrics from the preliminary report of the Kenya population census of 2019 to tell the story of Mulembe. Moreover, we also provide context through narrative touching on important past and present population events that might have shaped the numbers as we consume them today. … Read more

Busia Residents Joy As The Long Awaited Tarmacking Of Busia Malaba Road Inches To Completion

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A man rides on a boda boda along an incomplete section of the Busia Malaba road

A story of how my dearest friend, Lillian, and I grew up with the Busia Malaba road. It all begins in our childhood when as girls we would race cars whilst ridding her dad’s black mamba bicycle. Growing up, I had a friend from Alupe, a university town neighborhood in the vicinity of Busia town. … Read more

The 2019 Inhumane Chesumei Eviction at Kaptobongen village in Nandi County: What happened?

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portrait photo of Vihiga senator George Khaniri who on 16th october 2019, delivered a statement to senate on the inhumane Chesumei evictions

Among other Western Kenya leaders, Vihiga Senator George Khaniri condemned the inhumane Chesumei evictions.

He issued a hard hitting, but sober, statement on Senate floor demanding, humanterian support, restitution and justice.

https://www.facebook.com/george.munyasakhaniri/videos/940477186335253/

Context of Chesumei Evictions

On 10th of October 2019, more than 300 families (about 1500 men, women and children) were forcefully evicted from a disputed 50 acre piece of land in Kaptobongen village of Chesumei constituency, Nandi county.

The highly emotive evictions raised political temperatures followed enforcement by police of a now widely criticized 2017 court ruling.

A Lands court decided in favor of the estate of a deceased patriarch of a Nandi family. On the other hand, the evicted families who had been living on the area for over 40 years claimed to have legally bought the land.

More, they had buried their kin on the land making it for some the only home they knew.

In a widely shared picture and video a man is seen hoisting the skull of kin as he walked about wailing. It was a sad sight that ignited passions even as some pondered over the cultural and social implications of the ruling. Politically, Western Kenya leaders from across the divide forged a common front as they strongly condemned the brutality of the evictions.

In pure political terms, the Chesumei evictions was requisite fodder for the national political discourse of the day.

Coming in the heels of the handshake between President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, the jostling for space on the national political platform was intense.

In the clip below, Western Kenya leaders then aligned to Raila Odinga as expected, call on leaders of the Rift Valley alongside the nation to stop the pain netted on their people.

Reactions Luhya leaders

Cleophas Malala is the Kakamega county senator. In the heat of the evictions, accompanied by other leaders, he stood in solidarity with the Luhya evictees.

He tweeted: “In solidarity with the luhya evictees, with @edwinsifuna @Honcalebamisi @HonOsotsi stood today at Chesumei Constituency, Nandi County. I condemned the unlawful evictions and urged the affected families to remain calm as an amicable solution is being sought.”

A local TV station carried this report on the outrage by Luhya leaders on what appeared to be targeted evictions.

In the video, Busia Woman Representative Florence mutua is flanked by among others ODM secretary general Edwin Sifuna, Makadara MP and ODM party Nairobi chairman George Aladwa and ANC nominated MP Geoffrey Osotsi as they read a hard hitting statement