Kakamega Town Guide
Kakamega TownKakamega town is in western Kenya lying about 30 km north of the Equator. It is the headquarters of Kakamega County. Kakamega Kenya is 52 km north of Kisumu, the third largest city in Kenya and a port city on Lake Victoria.
Kakamega Town Climate
Kakamega’s climate is classified as tropical. There is a great deal of rainfall in Kakamega, even in the driest month. The temperature here has an averages 20.4 °C. About 1971 mm of precipitation falls annually.
Precipitation is the lowest in January, with an average of 61 mm. The greatest amount of precipitation occurs in May, with an average of 273 mm.
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History of Kakamega Town
Kakamega derives its modern name from the local dialect. The story goes that when European settlers first visited the area now known as Kakamega and were offered maize meal, the local staple food called Obusuma, they tried to emulate the eating style for which the tribe was famous. To the hosts though, the visitors were more like ‘pinching’ the Obusuma. The resulting administrative area was named ‘Kakamega’, which roughly translates to ‘pinch.
Economic Activities in Kakamega Town
Local Inhabitants are mostly the Luhya tribe, whose economic activity is mainly farming and fishing. Kakamega town also serves as the headquarters of Kenya’s largest sugar producing firm, Mumias Sugar, located in the village of Mumias. Kakamega town was the scene of the Kakamega gold rush in the early 1930’s, fueled partly by the reports of the geologist Albert Ernest Kitson.
Places to Visit while in Kakamega Town
Kakamega Forest National Reserve
Kakamega Forest National Reserve
Kakamega Forest National Reserve is the main tourist destination in the area. Another attraction is the Crying Stone of Ilesi located along the highway towards Kisumu. It is a 40 metres high rock dome resembling a human figure whose “eyes” drop water.
Things To Do in Kakamega
Market in Kakamega
Market
It’s worth poking your nose into the town’s municipal market. It operates every day but is at its loudest on Saturday and Wednesday mornings.
Landmark In Kakamega
Crying Stone of Ilesi
The Crying Stone of Ilesi is a local curiosity perched on a ridge 3km south of town. The formation, looking like a solemn head resting on weary shoulders.
How To Get Kakamega Town
Matatu
These small vans are very common form of transportation from and to Kakamega.
Hotels in Kakamega Town
Silver Hut Guest House
Silver Hut Guest House kakamega
Silver Hut Guest House is a budget guesthouse located in the heart of Lurambi, Kakamega. The guesthouse is next to the famous Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology and a walking distance to Bukhungu Stadium . The guest house is ideal for people traveling travelling on short budget.
The lodge’s rooms have an en-suite bathroom and a mosquito net.
Nearby restaurants serve both local and continental meals.
Laundry is offered at a surcharge. Onsite parking is available and security guards watch the premises.
Silver Hut Guest House is in close proximity to Kakamega-Webuye Highway Bypass and next to Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology.
Christian Guesthouse
Christian Guesthouse kakamega
Christian Guesthouse is a budget friendly guest house close to the Crying Stone, a tourist attraction, in Kakamega, Kenya. The guesthouse is strategically located near trading and business centers. The guesthouse is 5 minutes drive to Kakamega School Free WiFi is available.
The lodge’s rooms have an en-suite bathroom, a bed mosquito net draped around each bed and a TV with cable service.
The onsite restaurant serves Kenyan dishes. The restaurant serves complimentary breakfast daily.
Onsite parking is available and security guards watch the lodge’s premises.
Christian Guesthouse is 1 km to the Crying Stone and 7 km to the Kakamega Rain Forest. Kakamega School is 5 minutes drive away.
Pentagon Guest House
Pentagon Guest House kakamega
Pentagon Guest House is situated in Kakamega, Kenya. The guesthouse offers free WiFi to all guests and is close to a business centre.
Each room has a wardrobe, a TV with satellite reception and an en-suite toilet.
Guests order a variety of local and continental meals at the onsite restaurant. Breakfast is served daily for a surcharge.
The lodge features an event facility. Airport pickup service is provided upon request.
The lodge is a 10-minute drive from the Police station and in close proximity to Mumias Law courts.
Hotel Rastopark
Hotel Rastopark kakamega
Contacts
5155 Medical Way, North Zone
654-6546-3456
mail@domain.com
Mon – Sat open, sunday closed
Jamindas Paradise Motel
Jamindas Paradise Motel
Jamindas Paradise Motel is situated in Kakamega, Kenya. The hotel houses an event center and offers free WiFi to all guests.
The rooms are designed with en-suite bathroom and a private balcony that overlooks the serene environment. Each room is fitted with a TV with satellite channels and fridge.
Complimentary breakfast is served daily. The onsite restaurant offers local and international meals while the bar serves soft/alcoholic drinks.
Laundry and city/airport shuttle services are available. The premises are monitored by CCTV security cameras and guarded by security personnel. Onsite parking is available.
The hotel is in close proximity to the Crying Stone and Ikonyero Secondary School.
Westgate hotel Limited
Westgate hotel Limited kakamega
Westgate Hotel is located on Mumias Bungoma Road in Mumias, Kenya. The hotel is in close proximity to St. Mary Missionary Hospital. Free WiFi is provided for all guests.
Each room features a TV with satellite reception, an en-suite bathroom and a balcony that overlooks the surrounding.
Complimentary breakfast is served daily. Local and international meals are served at the onsite restaurant, while guests order a variety of meals and drinks at the bar. The hotel houses a spa which offers a range of body treatment.
Laundry service is provided for an extra charge. Onsite parking is available and the premises are guarded by security personnel.
The hotel is 500m away from Mumias Cultural Centre and 32 km away from Kakamega town.
Pishop Stam Pastrol Centre
Pishop Stam Pastrol Centre kakamega
Pishop Stam Pastrol Centre is a christian Institution located in Kakamega, Kenya. It is built specifically to serve christian lodgers and is situated 11.1 km to The Crying Stone of Ilesi. Free WiFi is available.
The hotel’s rooms have an en-suite bathroom and a wardrobe each.
The onsite restaurant serves Kenyan dishes and complimentary breakfast is served daily.
Laundry is offered at a surcharge. Meeting and event facilities are available for rent. Onsite parking is available and security guards watch the premises.
Bishop Stam Pastoral Center is 20.3 km to Kakamega National Park.
Kakamega Guest House
Kakamega Guest House
Kakamega guesthouse is situated at the heart of Kakamega along the Kakamega- Webuye highway, Kenya. WiFi is available throughout the premises.
The rooms are tiled and built with en-suite bathrooms.
The guesthouse provides room service, storage room, stable electricity supply, on-site parking space and a guarded premises.
Kakamega Guest House is in proximity to Ambwere conference, Total Petrol Station, Kakamega Forest and The Crying Stone.
Education Institutions in Kakamega Town
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology is a new institution of higher learning created by an act of parliament in December 2006 is in the heart of Kakamega town on the Kakamega – Webuye road. It is expected to spur growth in this capital of Western Province.
Rainforest in Kakamega Kenya
Kakamega Kenya receives a very high amount of annual precipitation and contains Kakamega Forest, a preserve which is a remnant of a rainforest that stretched west through Uganda.
As a rainforest, the canopy of the trees has grown into a thin mesh of interlocking top branches that block most sunlight from reaching the ground below, resulting to less vegetation at the ground level. With few bushes along the darkened forest floor, the main obstacle is ancient fallen tree trunks blocking the paths between the standing trees. The German funded project BIOTA East is working in the forest since 2001, whereby firstly forest inventories for all sorts of life forms were performed and the aim is to find strategies for a sustainable use of the forest.
More than 400 species of birds have been found in the Kakamega rainforest. The many song birds fill the air with various birdcalls.
Kakamega Kenya is also home to Africa’s largest and most aggressive cobra, the Kakamega forest cobra. Reputed by locals to spend a lot of time in the trees, stories abound of fearsome attacks on unsuspecting passers-by. Other snakes in the area include the forest adder, black mamba, and the green mamba.
Kakamega County Map
Kakamega County Map