Formerly known as Port Florence, Kisumu City is an inland port city on Lake Victoria. It is the third largest city in Kenya, and the largest in Western Kenya. Like Nairobi, Kisumu was founded in 1901 as a terminal of the Uganda Railway, serving as its chief inland terminal.
Because of its location on the shores of Lake Victoria, a trading post was there even before the railroad was built. Its name is a derivative of a Luo word for “I am going to trade,” which was kisuma. One of the oldest settlements in Kenya, Kisumu was a trading place for people from the Abaluhya, Abagusii, Kalenjin, Luo, Nandi, and Maasai people before the Europeans arrived.
British explorers cited the location as a railway terminus and port for the Uganda Railway as early as 1898, around the time that Nairobi was being built. Situated at the cusp of the Winam Gulf, on the shores of Lake Victoria, the location would allow the railroad to connect to steamboats operating on the lake. When the rail line reached the pier at Kisumu, the British named the town Port Florence, although that name was used for only about a year.
By the 1940s, Kisumu had developed into a center for administrative offices, military installations, and commercial enterprises. Its significance was enhanced by the fact that Lake Victoria borders on Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, and is very close to the borders of Burundi and Rwanda.
Kisumu became a municipality in 1940, and a municipal council in 1960, and a city in 1996. Kisumu is also the capital city of Kisumu County. Once heavily populated by Europeans and Asians, when Kenya became independent in 1963, an influx of locals came into the town as many of the outsiders left. There was very little development within the city in the 1960s and 1970s, despite a shortage of homes, shops, and business sites. However, currently the city is growing rapidly, benefiting greatly from surrounding sugar and rice irrigation industries. As just over half of the usable agricultural land in the Kisumu region is under production, there is room for further growth in these industries. Much of its shoreline is underused, as well.
Attractions in Kisumu include the Kibuye Market and the Oile Market, the Kisumu Museum, and Ndere Island National Park. The region also hosts impala and bird sanctuaries.
Kisumu is served by the Kisumu Airport, an international airport with daily flights to Nairobi and elsewhere. Several ferries operate on Lake Victoria. Although there Uganda Railway is still in operation, there are currently no passenger trains running.
There are several primary and secondary schools operating in Kisumu, as well as colleges and universities, and branches of larger institutions headquartered elsewhere.
Kisumu County is one of the newer counties in Kenya, its boundaries following those of the former Kisumu District. Kisumu County is bordered by Homa Bay County, Kericho County, Nandi County, Nyamira County, Siaya County, and Vihiga County. It also has a shoreline along Lake Victoria. Its capital city is the Kisumu City.
Most of the population of the county are people of the Luo ethnic group, which is the third largest in Kenya, and one of the largest in East Africa. The descendants of people who had come from India to build the Uganda Railway in the early 1900s form a significant minority.
Topics related to either the city or the county are appropriate for this category.
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The private East African company was established in Kisumu, Kenya in 1997, supplying various materials to the building and construction industries, as well as retail and wholesale commercial enterprises. Located in the industrial area of Kisumu, on Obote Road, the company has large storehouse facilities as well as its own delivery vehicles. Its main office, branch offices, affiliations, and main suppliers are acknowledged, and an overview of its products and services are included.
http://www.cementcentreltd.com/
Located along the Nairobi-Kisumu Road in Milimani Estate in Kisumu, Kenya, the evangelical Christian church in Kisumu, Kenya is highlighted. Its location, program schedules, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, and ministries are highlighted, along with leadership contacts, a contact form, and an appeal for contributions or tithing. Announcements are published to the site.
http://kisumu.citam.org/
The official website for Kisumu County, Kenya features its organizational structure, introduces the county assembly and posts a directory of administrative personnel, office hours, and contacts. Sub-counties, constituencies, and wards are included, along with management personnel, ministries, and services. Its projects are reported, and a gallery of photographs is presented. Announcements are posted to the site.
https://www.kisumu.go.ke/
VISPA is a Christian mission in West Kenya, with a focus on education and caring for needy children from the preschool age through to the university age. Operated by local Kenyan staff, the facility includes an orphanage, nursery, primary school, and a secondary school, in which the program educates and cares for hundreds of children each year. Photographs, video, and stories are featured, along with staff contacts, sponsorships, and announcements.
http://vispa-kenya.org
In business since 1978, the Kisumu, Kenya business is a stockiest and distributor of a variety of industrial and agricultural machinery parts, industrial hardware, steel, and building supplies. A list of companies whose brands are represented by the company are presented, and its procurement and dispatch team, sales, administration, and accounts team, and other contacts are put forth, along with a list of products, sales and ordering information, and other resources.
https://www.genequip.co.ke/
Habib and James Property Consultants
Offering real estate sales services, as well as rental management services, the agency is headquartered in Kisumu, Kenya, specializing in high-end residential properties and commercial properties in Kisumu and other Kenya locations. Available properties are categorized by type, and some properties are highlighted. Descriptions, photographs, and asking prices are included, along with property rates, office hours, and contacts.
http://www.kisumupropertykenya.com/
Hindu Council of Kenya, Kisumu Branch
HCK-K is a non-commercial organization serving the Hindu community in the Republic if Kenya, East Africa. Headquartered in Kisumu, the work of the organization includes its inter-faith programs and the review of governmental policies that may affect Hindus, as well as acting as a conduit between local Hindus and the government, at all levels. Office hours and contacts, a calendar of events, member information, and job opportunities are posted to the site.
http://www.hckkisumu.org/
Catering to campers, backpackers, 4x4s, and individual or group travelers, the resort is a family friendly hotel on the banks of Lake Victoria at Kisumu Beach. Offering single and double occupancy rooms, with options of half-board or full-board, as well as spaces for tents, and huts. An overview of the facilities is put forth, along with its features and amenities, services, rates, and contacts. A photo gallery is included.
http://www.kisumubeachresort.com/
Kisumu Concrete Products Limited
Headquartered along the Kisumu-Miwani Road in Kisumu, Kenya, the company also has an office in Nairobi. Specializing in the supply and sale of concrete products, as well as excavation of red soil, black cotton, and hard rock, the company caters to various commercial firms, para-state organizations, government agencies, and private individuals for residential projects. Its ready-mix, aggregate, concrete precast, and paving block products are highlighted.
http://www.kcpquarry.com/
The online business directory offers a platform for Kisumu City and Kisumu County businesses to market their products and services to local and global markets. The benefits of advertising or listing a business in the directory are explained, including a description of how it works. Advertising options are discussed, including prices and other details. Visitors to the site may browse a variety of business topics to find listed businesses and services, or use its search features.
http://www.kisumu-county.com/
Kisumu Innovation Center - Kenya
Using recycled materials and invasive species from the Lake Victoria wetlands in East Africa, KICK markets the hand-made products of local artisans, including greeting cards, furniture, and home decor items. Starting as a non-governmental organization in 1993, the company was able to begin production and marketing in 2005, becoming a for-profit company marketing its products to other fair trade consumers. Its products are highlighted, and catalogues may be downloaded in PDF format.
http://www.kicktrading.org/
KKWG was founded after the 2008 Kenyan elections, after post-election violence led to women losing their homes, properties, and incomes. Its philosophy, values, and projects are stated or outlined, along with project reports, including photographs, video, and other documents, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, and information on how others can become involved. Contacts are posted to the site.
http://www.kanyakwar.com/
The online news site offers local, regional, national and world news, with a focus on the city of Kisumu, Kenya, as well as sports reports, school and educational news, business and economic reporting, health issues, lifestyle topics, including music, video, and touring opportunities, computer and tech topics, and several downloadable reports, the text of development plans, governmental bills, and other data. Opinion features are included, and advertising opportunities are highlighted.
http://www.kisumunews.com/
The Christian faith-based charity provides food, shelter, clothing, education, and healthcare, as well as providing for the spiritual needs of orphans, children with HIV/AIDS, and other vulnerable children in Kenya. Its mission, projects, programs, future plans, and an appeal for contributions are posted on the site, along with contacts, photographs, and acknowledgements.
http://www.streetkidsofkenya.org/
Located in the Mamboleo neighborhood of Kisumu, Kenya, the apartment facilities includes short and long term accommodations, with rental terms from days to several months. Its floor plan options are discussed, along with photographs, video, and a list of amenities and services, including security measures, parking, and directions. Tours of the facilities may be scheduled, and its free structure is posted to the site. Reservations may be requested through the site.
http://www.kisumuterraceapartments.com/
The Diocese of Kisumu & All Western Kenya is headquartered in Kisumu, Kenya. An introduction and profile of the diocese is set forth, including its organizational structure, a statement of faith, and contact information. Other resources include diocesan news and announcements, and an appeal for contributions toward its ministerial programs and needs, which may be a one-time gift or a monthly subscription.
http://www.orthodoxkisumu.org/
The fish processing factory in Kisumu, Kenya is a wholly owned subsidiary of Mayfair Holdings, which specializes in freshwater fish, including skinless fresh chilled fillets, skinless frozen fillets, skin-on frozen fillets, headless and gutted Nile Perch, fillet loins and portions, steaks, and more. Its location, history, certifications, and standards are put forth, along with an overview of its process and its products.
http://www.pechefoods.com/
Situated in the Diocese of Maseno South, the Kisumu, Kenya church was founded as a religious order that supports socially disadvantaged families through faith-based programs and growth, and has expanded its programs to include programs for youth, widows, mothers, ladies, and families. Its history, mission, and projects are highlighted, along with testimonials, a community calendar, and photo gallery.
https://www.st-stephens-kisumu.org/
Situated near the Kisumu Museum, the bus park, restaurants, shopping district, banks, and government offices, the hotel is ideal for corporate and vacation travelers. The accommodations are described and shown in pictures, as well as the common areas, and on-site restaurant. Its price structure, special offers, contacts, and online bookings are available. Area attractions are discussed.
http://www.shalomhotelkenya.com/
The Safe Water and AIDS Project (SWAP) is a non-governmental organization registered in West Kenya, that works with local health providers and promoters to improve health through door-to-door sales health and hygiene products. Its projects include a model village near the Nyando River, Jamii Centers, distribution and water enterprise programs, product promotions, community outreach, training, scholarships, and research programs, which are highlighted here.
http://www.swapkenya.org/
The Kisumu, Kenya hotel features more than a hundred rooms and suites of various sizes and arrangements, as well as a business center, conference rooms, swimming pool, laundry and dry cleaning services, a gymnasium, on-site restaurant, and airport transportation. Photos of the guest accommodations and common areas are included, with a list of amenities and services, its location, and online reservations.
http://www.thevichotelkisumu.com/
Located off of Tom Mboya Drive in the Milimani neighborhood of Kisumu, Kenya, the hotel features seventy studio guest suites with an on-site restaurant, bar, and meeting facilities. Offering a choice of single or double suites, each of which are highlighted here, with photographs, its services, amenities, and features are stated, along with prices, special offers, and online bookings. The hours of operation for its restaurant and bar, breakfast buffet hours, and a menu are posted to the site.
http://vittoriasuites.com/
