Western Province Kenya, known in Swahili as Magharibi, was one of Kenya’s seven original administrative provinces before the 2013 constitutional reform that replaced provinces with counties. Its capital was Kakamega, and the province was predominantly inhabited by the Luhya people, with Quakerism being widely practiced. The region was also home to Mount Elgon, Kakamega Forest, and a diverse rural economy.
Following the implementation of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution and the 2013 general elections, Western Province Kenya was dissolved and restructured into four counties: Kakamega, Bungoma, Vihiga, and Busia. These counties now operate independently with devolved governments, each managing its own affairs under Kenya’s 47-county governance system.
Geography and Climate
The Western Region features diverse landscapes, ranging from the hills of northern Bungoma to the flat, lake-bordering areas in Busia County. Its highest point is Mount Elgon, while the lowest is Busia town, located on the shores of Lake Victoria. As of the 2009 census, the region’s population was approximately 4.33 million across 7,400.4 km², with a density of 590 people per square kilometer.
The region enjoys a tropical climate, modified by altitude. Kakamega is generally hot and humid, Bungoma is cooler and wet, Busia is the warmest, and Vihiga is the coldest and hilliest. The area experiences heavy rainfall throughout the year, especially during the long rainy season.
Economic Activities
Agriculture remains the backbone of the region’s economy:
- Bungoma County is known for sugarcane farming and houses one of Kenya’s largest sugar factories. Other crops include maize, sorghum, and millet, alongside dairy and poultry farming.
- Kakamega County combines subsistence and cash crop farming, with sugarcane as the major crop. Tourism thrives around the Kakamega Forest.
- Busia County faces seasonal flooding from the Nzoia River and relies heavily on fishing in Lake Victoria and cassava farming.
- Vihiga County, the most densely populated rural area in Kenya, is known for tea plantations, dairy farming, and quarrying for construction materials.
The region is also home to major industries such as the Mumias Sugar Company and Pan Paper Mills in Webuye, once the largest paper factory in Africa. Despite industrial presence, living standards remain low, with many communities lacking access to electricity and piped water.
Administrative Changes and Counties
Before its dissolution, Western Province consisted of several districts, many of which were subdivided in 2007. Today, the area comprises four counties:
| Code | County | Area (km²) | Population (2009) | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 37 | Kakamega | 3,033.8 | 1,660,651 | Kakamega |
| 38 | Vihiga | 531.3 | 554,622 | Vihiga Town |
| 39 | Bungoma | 2,206.9 | 1,375,063 | Bungoma |
| 40 | Busia | 1,628.4 | 743,946 | Busia |
Notable new districts created in 2007 included Mount Elgon, Mumias, Likuyani, Teso North, and Butere, among many others.
Notable Residents
Western Province Kenya has produced several influential figures across different sectors:
- Tegla Loroupe – world-record-holding long-distance runner
- Lonah Chemtai Salpeter – Kenyan-born Israeli Olympic marathoner
- Khadambi Asalache – renowned poet
- Simon Kachapin – Governor of West Pokot
- Thomas Longosiwa – Olympic runner
- Francis Polisi Lotodo and Augustine Lotodo – politicians
Western Province Kenya remains a vital part of the nation’s cultural and economic identity, despite its official administrative disbandment. Its transformation into four counties underlines Kenya’s broader commitment to devolution and local governance, while its history continues to shape the region’s legacy.
