Why Kakamega
Kakamega is an urban center located in western Kenya, situated roughly 30 kilometers north of the Equator at an average elevation of 1,535 meters. Serving as the administrative capital of Kakamega County and positioned 52 kilometers north of Kisumu, the town sits in the heart of Luhya territory. The region's economy relies significantly on mixed agriculture, including both cash and food crop cultivation alongside livestock rearing, and the area serves as the headquarters for Mumias Sugar. In the early 1930s, the locality gained historical attention following a gold rush sparked by geological reports.
Local lore attributes the name Kakamega to the Luhya word for pinching, referencing how European colonial settlers appeared to pinch their food while attempting to eat obusuma, the indigenous maize staple. An alternative account suggests the name originated from the Nandi word Kokomego, meaning a place with many buildings, before being adapted by the Luhya inhabitants who later populated the area.
Visitors to the area frequently explore the Kakamega Forest, a protected remnant of an ancient rainforest system that historically extended westward across Uganda. Due to a dense upper canopy formed by interlocking branches, minimal sunlight penetrates to the ground, leaving the forest floor relatively clear of bushes apart from fallen ancient tree trunks. The rainforest supports over 400 recorded bird species, making it notable for its abundant birdlife. The forest ecosystem is also home to various reptiles, including the forest adder, black mamba, green mamba, and the Kakamega forest cobra. Since 2001, the German-funded BIOTA East project has conducted ecological inventories in the preserve to study sustainable forest utilization.
Another historical point of interest along the Kisumu-Kakamega highway is the Crying Stone of Ilesi, known locally as Ikhongo Murwi. This 40-meter-high rock formation resembles a human figure and historically featured water dripping from its top, inspiring traditional folklore as well as historical stories of territorial conflicts between the Isukha sub-tribe and Nandi warriors. In recent times, planted eucalyptus trees and changing rainfall patterns have caused the rock's water flow to dry up.
Kakamega experiences heavy annual precipitation. The town is home to Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, situated along the Kakamega-Webuye road, as well as the Shamberere Technical Training Institute, several public and private primary and secondary schools, and a branch of the Kenya National Library Service.
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