Kakamega history

Foundation and First Mentions

The city of Kakamega has a rich history closely tied to the development of the country's western region. Initially, this territory was inhabited by the Luhya people; however, the settlement began to take shape as an administrative and urban centre in the early 20th century. A significant milestone in the city's history was the 1930s, marked by the famous "gold rush".

Rumours of gold deposits attracted numerous prospectors and settlers, providing a powerful impulse for population growth and infrastructure development. Since then, the city has established itself as a vital node in Kenya, retaining its importance even after the decline of precious metal mining.

Key Development Factors

The development of Kakamega was defined by several important circumstances:

• Geographical Location: The city is situated next to the unique Kakamega Forest—the only surviving tropical rainforest of the Guineo-Congolian type in the country, which historically attracted researchers and contributed to a special microclimate.
• Administrative Status: During the colonial period, the city became the administrative centre of the province, ensuring an influx of civil servants and the development of the road network.
• Natural Resources: The discovery of gold turned a small settlement into a bustling centre of trade and mining, drawing people from across the region and abroad.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

The economy of early Kakamega was built on a symbiosis of traditional agriculture and the new mining industry. Local residents were actively engaged in farming thanks to fertile soils and abundant rainfall. The cultural character of the city was formed under the strong influence of the traditions of the Luhya people, known for their hospitality and rich folklore.

Even after the active phase of gold mining concluded, the city maintained its role as a trading hub, where farmers from surrounding villages exchanged their produce for goods brought from other parts of the country.

Major Historical Milestones

The history of the city's development is inextricably linked with administrative reforms and the economic rise of the region. Below is a chronology of key events that shaped the modern appearance of this place.

• 1903: The British colonial administration establishes a trading and administrative post on the territory of the modern city of Kakamega.
• 1920: The settlement is officially confirmed as the administrative centre of the North Kavirondo District.
• 1931: The discovery of alluvial gold in local rivers triggers the famous "gold rush," attracting thousands of prospectors.
• 1933: The unique Kakamega Forest receives protected status, saving it from logging during the industrial boom.
• 1952: Opening of the Provincial General Hospital, which became the main medical centre for the entire western region.
• 1963: After Kenya gains independence, the city becomes the capital of the Western Province.
• 1972: Foundation of the Western College of Arts and Applied Sciences (WECO), laying the groundwork for higher education in the city.
• 2007: The college receives university status and is transformed into the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST).
• 2013: As a result of constitutional reform, the city becomes the administrative centre of the county of the same name.
• 2017: Completion of the first phase of the large-scale reconstruction of Bukhungu Stadium, transforming it into a modern sports arena.

Key Milestones in the City's Transformation

The development of the city of Kakamega is a story of gradual transformation from a colonial trading post into a modern economic and educational hub. Each of the events listed below served as a turning point, defining the current look and status of the city.

• The Gold Boom of the 1930s. The discovery of gold deposits became the first powerful driver of the economy. This event attracted capital and migrants, necessitating the creation of primary urban infrastructure and shaping the commercial character of the settlement.
• Administrative Centre Status (2013). The implementation of a new system of devolved government in Kenya made the city the county headquarters. This led to a sharp increase in government investment, the tarmacking of roads, improvement of street lighting, and the construction of administrative buildings.
• Establishment of the University Cluster. Granting university status to the local college (MMUST) radically changed the demographics and economy. The influx of thousands of students stimulated a boom in the real estate market, the development of the catering sector, and the creation of a youthful cultural environment.
• Modernisation of Bukhungu Stadium. The reconstruction of the main sports arena turned the city into a centre for sports tourism on a regional scale. The ability to host premier league matches and national holidays revitalised the hotel business and the leisure sector.
• Arrival of Major Retail and Banks. The transition from small shop trading to a supermarket format and the opening of offices of leading banks secured the city's role as the financial core for the entire densely populated western part of the country.
• Development of Eco-tourism Potential. Realising the value of proximity to the unique Kakamega Forest led to a growth in tourism appeal. The city became a starting point for eco-routes, contributing to the development of the service economy and the preservation of natural heritage.

Architectural Appearance and Urban Planning

The architecture of the city of Kakamega presents an interesting combination of colonial heritage, functional administrative buildings, and modern commercial structures. The urban planning structure of the city began to form in the early 20th century, and today one can trace its evolution from a small trading post to a dynamically developing county centre.

Unlike old European cities, you will not find Gothic or Baroque styles here. The city's appearance is defined by more practical styles, adapted to the tropical climate and the needs of the growing population in Kenya.

Colonial Style and the "Garden City"

The historic core and older residential areas of the city, such as Milimani, have preserved features of British colonial planning.

• Era: 1920s–1960s.
• Characteristic Features: Single-storey bungalows with wide verandas, pitched roofs (often of corrugated iron), and spacious green plots. This style created the feeling of a "garden city," where architecture is harmoniously integrated into the natural landscape.
• Iconic Sites: The Golf Hotel building — a classic example of mid-20th-century architecture combining elements of modernism with colonial comfort, as well as old administrative blocks built for the needs of provincial governance.

Religious Architecture and Modernism

The spiritual life of the region is reflected in monumental places of worship, which often became architectural landmarks of their districts.

• Era: 1950s–1990s.
• Style: Functionalism and religious modernism.
• Iconic Sites: St. Joseph's Cathedral. This building stands out for its size and strict geometric forms, serving as an important landmark in the city centre.

Modern Construction and Urbanization

Since receiving the status of county administrative centre in 2013, the city has been experiencing a construction boom that is changing its skyline.

• Era: 2010s — present.
• Style: Modern commercial style (glass and concrete), postmodernism in administrative buildings.
• Development: The city centre is densifying with multi-storey office buildings and shopping centres. A striking example of modern sports architecture is the reconstructed Bukhungu Stadium, which now meets international standards. The campus of the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST) has also grown significantly, adding modern educational blocks to the city.

Notable Figures

The city of Kakamega and the surrounding county have been the birthplace or base of activity for many famous people who played a key role in the history of East Africa. Among them are politicians, freedom fighters, and modern leaders whose names are inextricably linked with the development of the region.

• Masinde Muliro (1922–1992)
  Politician, freedom fighter, philosopher
  One of the founding fathers of the modern Kenyan nation and a key figure in the struggle for decolonization. Although his political career covered the entire western region, his legacy is immortalised in the city: the region's main higher education institution, the University of Science and Technology, bears his name (MMUST).
• Joseph Martin Shikuku (1933–2004)
  Parliamentarian, freedom fighter
  A legendary politician nicknamed the "People's Watchman" for his uncompromising fight against corruption. He represented the Butere constituency (part of Kakamega County) and was one of the participants in the Lancaster House Conferences, where the constitution of independent Kenya was drafted.
• Burudi Nabwera (born 1927)
  Diplomat, statesman
  A distinguished diplomat who became Kenya's first ambassador to the USA and permanent representative to the UN. For a long time, he represented the interests of the region's residents in parliament and held various ministerial posts.
• Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya (born 1956)
  Politician, administrator
  The first Governor of Kakamega County (since 2013). The large-scale modernisation of urban infrastructure, including road construction and the reconstruction of Bukhungu Stadium, which turned the city into the economic centre of the country's west, is associated with his name.
• Francis Atwoli (born 1949)
  Trade union leader
  Secretary General of the Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU). One of the most influential public figures in the region, actively participating in matters of workers' rights protection and the political life of Western Kenya.