Here are the top 5 towns in Western Kenya

From the magnificent tract of the equatorial rainforest bursting with species found nowhere else except the Kakamega Forest near Kakamega town to the extinct volcano at Mt. Elgon near Kitale and Bungoma towns, here we present to you the top five urban points in Western Kenya.

1. Kakamega

Kakamega town is the headquarters of Kakamega County, home of the famous Kakamega Forest, which holds the value of an indigenous rain forest in terms of trees and wild creatures, more so birds and insects. 

Kakamega is also famous for bullfighting, a cultural phenomenon that holds them uniquely on the map, and cock fighting as well as a dog market at Lubao, some noteworthy cultural tourist attractions.

Kakamega is also home to successful politicians such as Wycliffe Oparanya, Francis Atwoli, and Eugine Wamalwa, as well as legendary athletes such as Collis Injera and Fernand Omanyala.

The town is home to cultural and linguistic diversity made up of the Wanga and Kisa, among other tribes of the Abaluhya people.

It boasts the famous Masinde Muliro University for Science and Technology (MMUST), among other institutions.

2. Bungoma

Located along the highway to Uganda, Bungoma town was established in the early 20th century as a trading center and has since developed into a great business center in Western Kenya. 

It is the capital of Bungoma County that leads in agriculture, more so in the production of maize.

The town maintains its position as a good business hub and has developed from time to time, boasting of state-of-the-art restaurants, resorts, and hotels, owing to its nearness to the Busia border that connects with neighboring Uganda and serves long-distance drivers and travelers.

The town boasts Kibabii University and a number of media stations such as West FM. It is also a cultural hub for the Bukusu and Tachoni people.

3. Webuye

Webuye town is situated along the Eldoret-Bungoma highway to Uganda in Bungoma County, the predominant home of the Bukusu people.

The town was previously called Broderick Falls, owing to the magnificent site of Nabuyole Falls found in the Chetambe Hills.

It became synonymous with the Pan Paper mills, which were once the region’s largest producer of stationery materials. Apart from Pan Paper, Webuye boasts a number of heavy chemical and sugar manufacturing factories that provide employment to its large population.

4. Kitale

Kitale, the capital town of Tranzoia County, is situated between Mt. Elgon and the Cherangany Hills. It is a metropolitan town that hosts all the tribes found in Western Kenya. 

Kitale is famous for its agricultural ability to produce maize, a staple food of Kenya, on a large scale. The town also holds the honor of having a national museum of the Luhya tribes. 

Next to the natural historical museum is the demonstration farm with agroforestry practices that hosts a show every October. This is where the famous Aturkan Hotel is located along Kitale-Kapenguria Road, inviting all types of guests to feel at home and have a taste of the traditional, delicious food prepared with love.

5. Busia 

Busia is a border town and the capital of Busia County, known for its busy activity on the border with Uganda. 

The town is the heart of business between Kenya and Uganda and one of the urban centers in Western Kenya with a fascinating cultural diversity made up of the dominant Teso people, Bukusus, Marachis, and Samias, among others.

The town is home to Alupe University College, an institution of higher learning.

Rose Masibo

Rose Masibo is a talented journalist who writes light-moment, celebrity, entertainment and current affairs stories for the Western Kenya Times.