One of the most striking things one used to notice upon arrival in the main towns in the County of Bungoma are the endless streams of bicycle riders trying to outdo each other on the roads of County 039. Today the county has upgraded to motorbikes and Tuk Tuks, both of which the residents of the area claim to have invented but love of bicycles remains strong! Bungoma is an area where bicycle racing could easily become a county attraction.
County 039 lies in the far west of Kenya and borders Uganda in the Mt Elgon area where it rises to 4,321 m before dropping to the fertile flatlands at 1,385 m. One great river – the Nzoia River, dominates a lot of the landscape making Bungoma have some of the best-watered soils in the whole country. Practically the entire county has huge agricultural potential that is dominated by two crops: maize and sugarcane. Things are changing though and farmers are starting to opt for short-term crops and chicken. A large chicken abattoir has been opened recently – which helps in the production of the legendary delicacy that is ingokho among the people of Western Kenya.
Bungoma has a rich and diversified history. This history covers the times of Mukite wa Nameme — an Ababukusu spiritual leader who had united the Bukusus and was not ready to let the British grab their land. A must-see is the Chetambe Fort, from where the Bukusu and Tachoni could watch advancing colonialists. It is also the site of the 1895 massacre in which the British killed more than 450 peoople.
With some 1.4 million people occupying 2,069 sq km of land, Bungoma is one of the most densely populated counties in Kenya. It is growing fast into a new hub of economic activity, now being accelerated through its Kibabii University. The picturesque rock formations in the north of the county make for a wonderful day out and, of course there is the mighty Mt Elgon with its beautiful mist covered volcanic hills that lead upto the summit … in neighbouring Uganda! There are exciting caves and thick forest foliage on the mountain, home to a number of wild animals, including pygmy elephants that wander between Kenya and Uganda.
Art is also big in Bungoma! Where do you think the lipala dance, made famous by Sauti Sol, comes from? What of kamabeka – the vigorous shoulder dance the Luhya are famous for? Music is a big part of life in Bungoma, and culture is used to pass messages on through generations—be it through lyrics or oral narratives or even initiation.
There is plenty to see and explore in County 039—whether one is keen on nature, culture or history or just wants a place to decompress.
