Kisumu

In the plains between the Nandi Escarpment and Nyabondo Plateau lies Kano. Home to a legend.

In the time when the Luo and the Lang’o were at war, a boy was born, and he was markedly different from his peers. Named Luanda Magere, he grow up stronger, faster, more spirited than any of his age set and in time his prowess as a warrior who could not be defeated came to be known. Not just amongst his kinsmen, but amongst their enemies, the Lang’o, who would attack him with spears that would bounce off his mighty frame.

Luanda became greatly feared and as was the custom of the day, the people he conquered sent him one of their young maidens as a bride. Nyar’Lango was a beautiful and obedient second wife who did what was expected of her. One day as the senior wife was tending to her shamba the great man fell ill. In need of assistance he quickly called Nyar’Lango and asked her to tend to his ailment. To her surprise when the medicine was ready for application Luanda stopped her from rubbing it on his body and instead told her to make the incision on his shadow and apply the medication there. Nyar’Lango’s patience and obedience had finally borne fruit and she now knew the great man’s secret – her true mission was revealed. Armed with her newly found information she let the people of Lang’o know how to win the next battle and true to form, a spear into his shadow killed the mighty warrior.

Legend has it that upon his demise he turned to stone, the mighty Luanda was no more. There are several enthralling stories, such as that of the Kit Mikaye.

This famous story introduces us to County 042, Kisumu County, with its county seat of the same name. Once just a rocky ridge, Kisumu’s urban growth is credited first to the trade that took place on the shores of Lake Victoria giving the area its name, a derivative of the word sumo (to barter). Then in 1901 the railway line on its way to Uganda arrived from Mombasa, cementing the location’s place in history. From that rocky outcrop the first Lake Marine Services was established as the landing point between Uganda and Kenya and 12,000 hectares of land were set aside for the development of a municipality.

Did you know Kisumu has two distinct Kenyan firsts? Let’s begin with the 1931 inaugural flight from Kisumu to England. This was the first airline itinerary in East and Central Africa and for years it was the only airline landing point in the region. Secondly, Kisumu City holds the distinction of having the country’s first female mayor in 1965. Grace Onyango was also the first lady to be elected a member of parliament in Kenya.

With fishermen hard at work daily to deliver suitable quantities of omena and Nile perch to the glamorous lakeside viewpoints at Dunga Hill Camp and Hippo Point, to the paddies of the Kano plains and the vibrant administrative capital,, 042 has lots going on. There is never a dull moment in this Kenyan treasure.

Our featured photographer is creative director and photographer Isaiah Maghanga who always conceptualizes and executes stunning images based on unique themes. Find more of his creative work on http://bit.ly/2ERg5C5 and on Isaiah Mboe Maghanga.