Kisumu is a port city in Kisumu County, Kenya 1,131 m (3,711 ft), with a population of 409,928 (2009 census). It is the third largest city in Kenya, the principal city of western Kenya, the immediate former capital of Nyanza Province and the headquarters of Kisumu County.
It has a municipal charter but no city charter. It is the largest city in Nyanza region and second most important city after Kampala in the greater Lake Victoria basin.
The port was founded in 1901 as the main inland terminal of the Uganda Railway and named Port Florence. Although trade stagnated in the 1980s and 1990s, it is again growing around oil exports. Kisumu literally means a place of barter trade “sumo”.
Located on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria, Kisumu is Kenya’s third largest town. At one time, Kisumu was a transportation center, having a railroad line from Mombasa and the water routes of Lake Victoria, and was also a military and administrative center.
Kisumu is the third largest city in Kenya and the headquarters of Nyanza Province, one of the eight Kenyan administrative provinces. The city is situated on the north tip of Winam gulf, which in itself is part of Kavirondo Gulf, an arm of Lake Victoria. Kisumu is the principal lake port of Kenya.
The city is the historic western terminus of the railroad from the Indian Ocean to Lake Victoria. The railroad from Mombasa reached Kisumu in 1901. The city was formerly called Port Florence.
The first train steamed into Port Florence station in 1903. By the 1930’s and 40’s, the city had become a leading East African centre for investment, administration and the military.
The city’s rise in growth and prosperity slowed down temporarily in 1977, with the collapse of the East African Community. However, the city is growing with the reformation of the community in 1996 and with its designation as a “city.”
The port has been stimulated by the transformation of international business and trade, as well as by the shipments of goods destined for Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Congo.
Kisumu is one of the fastest growing cities in Kenya. Surrounded by an agriculturally rich neighborhood mainly supporting large-scale sugar industry and rice irrigation, its contribution to the National economy is significant. It is a natural base for visiting and doing business in Western Kenya.
The city is a business and transportation hub, with service by road, rail, ship and air. There is also Mount Elgon National Park, Kakamega Forest, Saiwa Swamp and Lake Victoria. There are also attractions on the outskirts of the city such as Hippo Point.
Tourism Attractions in Kisumu
Kisumu City forms part of the Western Tourism Circuit and offers so much more in terms of activities to do, what to see and places to visit. It forms the forgotten areas of Kenya with great geographic, cultural and natural diversity, offering tourists just as much, if not more, than many of Kenya’s better known tourist areas.
Most travelers on Kenya safaris dream of finding a new and unknown destination, somewhere far from the beaten tourist path, where the thrill of real discovery and exploration reward the visitor with new and unexpected experiences, sights and sounds.
Dunga Hill Camp
Located at the shores of Lake Victoria at Dunga, this place is set to change the leisure destinations in Kisumu City. It is a perfect venue for camping, picnic or just a lazy afternoon pastime with friends.
One can also go out in the lake with kayaks added to give this place a sporting element. It is also a perfect place to catch the sunset at the lake’s horizon.
You can also get boat rides here for the faint hearted who can’t kayak and would just love to enjoy the lake’s scenery. You can also go out fishing.
Want to camp at the most beautiful place in Kisumu? It is a serene spot by the lake where you can watch hippos and the amazing sunsets. You have to see it to believe it!
Impala Sanctuary
The Kisumu Impala Sanctuary spans about 38 ha. It was created to provide a home for threatened Impalas within Kisumu city and its environs. The sanctuary is one of Kenya’s smallest wildlife preserves. It also provides a safe grazing area for hippos from the lake.
Located just a Kilometer from Kisumu CBD, it lies close to Hippo Point and features 3km of nature trails and a selection of picnic sites. This walking sanctuary is a holding area for animals which require special protection in this densely populated area.
The Sanctuary’s focus is herds of impalas and zebras which roam freely in the sanctuary. This is where it derives its fitting slogan: A Lakeshore Walk with Impalas.
The Sundowner tower which faces the Railway trail is a perfect area for sundowners on the shores of the second largest fresh water lake in the world.
A shady and peaceful place, with its abundance of birdlife and picnic areas beside the lake, the Sanctuary provides an ideal refuge away from Kisumu’s busy town centre.
The Sanctuary is open all year round. It offers excellent venues for weddings, corporate events and functions. The Sanctuary is open daily from 6.00 am to 6.00 pm. Entry on foot is allowed. Security is available for vehicles parked. Payment is by cash only.
Kit Mikayi
Kit Mikayi, a large rock (Tor) with three rocks on top, is situated about 29 km west of Kisumu, and located about 1 km from the Kisumu-Bondo road. It stands tall above many surrounding rocks in Kangeso village. The 70 ft to 80 ft stone is also a weeping rock. It poses like a woman with a load on her back.
It is a place about a lot of stories and myths about the rocks, and you will be entertained hearing of the stories about them and also get the chance to visit the caves that have now been turned into worshiping abodes of the Legio Maria sect who pilgrimage to the site for prayers and fast.
Climb the rocks and observe the breadths and span of Lake Victoria, Kisumu City and the Kisumu International Airport as well as the rolling plains.
You can get here and do your picnics too, or even participate in soccer matches with the locals at the nearby Kit Mikayi Primary School. It is the perfect get-away from town with a whole new experience.
Hippo Point
Hippo Point is a 600-acre open viewing area on Lake Victoria. Despite its name, it is better known as a viewing point for its unobstructed sunsets over the lake than for its occasional hippos.
Hippo Point is near the village of Dunga, a few kilometers SW of the town. The village also has a fishing port and a camping site.
Enjoy a boat ride as you check out hippos and birds in their natural habitat. Go out fishing and enjoy the scenery of Kisumu city straight from the deep waters.
It is very popular during the weekends and holidays, when merry-makers, friends and foe converge here for the sunset or just to meet up with friends. It is a perfect getaway spot in the city.
Kiboko Bay
Set on the shores of the Majestic Lake Victoria in Kisumu, Kiboko Bay Resort is a jogging distance from the high street, the Impala Park and the Dunga Fishing Village.
Kiboko Bay Resort has been consistently rated as the best among Kisumu resorts, giving the discerning travelers the luxury of embracing the Safari feel of an African adventure in absolute comfort.
Once a quarry harvesting rocks and sandy soil from the lake shore, Kiboko Bay Resort is now a friendly site for both business and leisure travelers.
The idyllic lakeside setting is a perfect getaway for romantic tourists and overworked corporate to recharge their batteries.
The resort is endowed with amazing charms and natural attractions. For some the attraction of the lake is its sheer expanse.
For others it is the vibrant bird life, and for many, gliding through the waters absorbing the beauty of the un-spoilt wetlands and mangrove forests, and for every lover of beauty a thousand splendid sunsets on the shimmering sweet waters.
The Kisumu Museum
This is the location of the history of this side of Kenya. It’s a small yet comprehensive exhibit gallery and displays of material culture of the peoples of the Western Rift valley and Nyanza Province.
This includes traditional clothing and adornment, basketry, fishing gear, agricultural tools and hunting weaponry. Also on display are several dioramas, including a lion, De Brazza monkey, and the largest Nile Perch ever caught in Kenya.
Bike rides
Tour the town with “chartered” bikes – Bike Ventures, bodaboda and tuk-tuk tours. The best way to tour the city is to get a “chartered bicycle” provided by Bike Ventures.
At only KShs 300 bob only for a whole day, one can sufficiently tour the city and its environs to sample the best of this city. You also get the chance to exercise your legs. One can also get to tour the city while riding on a tuk-tuk or the bodaboda bikes, but the charges would be a little higher.
Flea Market
Kisumu City is served with two major flea markets – Kibuye and Oile Markets. Kibuye touted as one of the biggest flea/open air markets in East Africa is more popular on Sundays, and one is able to get a good deal on whatever is the nature of their trade.
Cheap second hand clothing is prominent here. This is the best day too to shop for your groceries as the many green groceries suppliers from the surrounding regions visit the market.
Oile Market located near the bus park (was initially a public park before it was invaded by hawkers who have now made it their selling grounds). It is always open throughout the week and one is able to get most of the green groceries here anytime plus second hand staff.
Art Markets
Kisumu Art House stocks various art paraphernalia from the famous Janeqo Collections, paintings among others. It is located behind Mamba Hotel. Maasai Market located along the Kisumu – Nairobi road also offers unrivalled art pieces and decorations. You can’t leave Kisumu without passing by here to purchase a piece of Kisumu arts.
Nightlife in Kisumu City
Nightlife in Kisumu starts around 9pm and goes on through dawn , For those new to the region there are numerous Entertainment joints. From Bars, Restaurants and Night clubs, Kisumu has a lot of nightspots to keep one busy.
Several at the Central Business district whereas others dots the Cities’ Neighborhoods. Like any other Cities of The world Nightlife in Kisumu, is one worth experiencing the following is a list of the clubs, Restaurants and Nightclubs.
Kisumu is a centre for fun loving tourists and visitors who come not only in search of the best cities to travel to but to visit the beautiful city and also to enjoy most of its provisions including the nightlife.
This is one of the events that have been greatly emphasized by many investors in Kisumu town and its outskirts, who have built and developed clubs and discotheques in order to satisfy this industry. Most of this clubs and discotheques fall in as extensions of hotels and restaurants in Kisumu.
This is a strategy to have the tourists and visitors present for accommodation and eating services, to also have the chance of utilizing the much needed nightlife services. And for sure, Kisumu is one of the best places for the nightlife in East Africa.
Clubs and venues for nightlife in Kisumu
You definitely don’t want to miss any of the clubs that rocks in Kisumu town whatsoever. This is with the fact that they are plenty of places to have fun in Kisumu by dancing and partying all night long.
For instance: Kimwa Grand, This is a remarkable place that sets Kisumu town apart from other towns in Kenya including Nairobi city. This is a Congolese band that is still cropping up in the city. You will enjoy the best of African music on a live band, a favorite of many revelers.
Octopus Bottoms – up Club that is located along Oginga Odinga road is a popular place for disco and pool games. It is ecstatic for revelers who fancy lots of flowing beer since, staffs here are good at their job.
Mon Ami is an easy to find venue in Kisumu town that attracts expat crowds for its wide services like DSTV and lots of drinks. You cannot miss out on the cool evenings.
Kengeles is another joint that you can dance your night out from the wide choice of music and you will not stop asking for more from drinks and the songs. It is located in united shopping mall that is about 1 km from the central business district along the Kisumu – Kakamega road.
Duke Breeze is another place that is one of a kind in Kisumu town that offers a wide range of international songs and local music. Here, you will always enjoy the dance floor and the drinks that are also affordable.
Hotel Mamba is another venue that serves bar and disco services to its huge number of visitors in Kisumu. It is located roughly 1 km from the central business district and besides it offers comfortable and affordable food and accommodation services.
Basement pub and restaurant is a delightful place where you will spend most of your time in the night chatting with friends and company in a conducive environment. It is fitted with TVs and the service providers here are just magnificent.
Points to remember while on nightlife in Kisumu town
Night life is an activity that requires great understanding of the terrain and the culture of the people in the town especially Kisumu City.
These are people who love working hard during the day and having fun through the night life. They simply enjoy living dangerously and expensively.
Therefore, feel free to merge ties with the people of this beautiful city in the night for they love what they do for their night life. Nevertheless, ensure that you have the necessary requirements before walking in the night in search of a club or discotheque.
This is like Identification documents, company mates and the general knowledge about the places you are venturing into. Viola! You are good to go.
Culure and History in Kisumu City
The city is the historic western terminus of the railroad from the Indian Ocean to Lake Victoria. The railroad from Mombasa reached Kisumu in 1901.
The city was formerly called Port Florence. The first train steamed into Port Florence station in 1903. By the 1930’s and 40’s, the city had become a leading East African centre for investment, administration and the military.
Before the jet airline era, the city was a landing point on the British flying boat passenger and mail route from Southampton to Cape Town. Kisumu linked Port Bell and Nairobi.
The city’s rise in growth and prosperity slowed down temporarily in 1977, with the collapse of the East African Community. However, the city is growing with the reformation of the community in 1996 and with its designation as a “city.”
The port has been stimulated by the transformation of international business and trade, as well as by the shipments of goods destined for Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda and Congo.
Kisumu is one of the fastest growing cities in Kenya. Surrounded by an agriculturally rich neighborhood mainly supporting large-scale sugar industry and rice irrigation, its contribution to the National economy is significant. It is a natural base for visiting and doing business in Western Kenya.
The city is a business and transportation hub, with service by road, rail, ship and air. There is also Mount Elgon National Park, Kakamega Forest, Saiwa Swamp and Lake Victoria. There are also attractions on the outskirts of the city such as Hippo Point.
Kisumu ispredominated by the Luo Tribe. Luo people are among the few Kenyan tribes that do not traditionally circumcise their males as an initiation to manhood. Instead, in Luo traditions, initiation involves the removal of six teeth from the lower jaw.
Another unique Luo custom is wife inheritance whereby, if a man dies, one of his brothers or close relatives inherits his widow and must meet all of her marital requirements.
The Luo mourning ceremony, tero buru, is still widely practiced. This is a unique, elaborate and dramatic ceremony that symbolizes the departure of a loved one.
While most Luos are now Christians, many still uphold most of their traditional cultural customs. This is especially true for those living in the rural areas.
However, some of the Luo cultural practices now regarded as retrogressive are slowly fading away, such as wife inheritance.
As well, recent efforts have been made to promote male circumcision among the Luo, Teso and Turkana people, to help curb the spread of HIV and AIDS.
Perhaps one of the most interesting and noticeable attributes common among the elite, educated or urban Luo people is their flamboyant character and sense of style, in addition to their polished and eloquent command of the English language, otherwise known as The Queen’s English.