Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads, Airports, Climate & National Monuments in Bungoma County
Geography of Bungoma County
Generally speaking, Bungoma County is within the Lake Victoria Basin, rising from 1200 metres in the west and southwest to over 4,000 metres to the north near Mount Elgon. Excepting the mountain area, much of Bungoma County is underlain by granite which forms the basement system. Mount Elgon Forest support the life-system through the hydrological cycle and plant production through the pollination process. The forested areas also provide soil nutrients through the decomposition of biomass – which consequently supports farming.
Land Use in Bungoma County
Agriculture in the main economic activity in Bungoma County, taking up 2,881 km2 of arable land, mainly for crop farming and livestock production – 70% as subsistence farming and 30% for cash crop cultivation dominated by sugarcane plantations. Nzoia Sugar Company is the largest handler of sugarcane in the county. Other main crops produced include maize, beans, finger millet, sweet potatoes, bananas, Irish potatoes and assorted vegetables. Sugar cane, cotton, palm-oil, coffee, sun-flower, and tobacco are grown as cash crops in Bungoma.
Highlights of Bungoma County
The foremost attraction in Bungoma County is the extensive volcanic dome of Mount Elgon, its national park and reserve. Other noteworthy physio-graphic features include its hillocks: Chetambe, Sang’alo and Kabuchai; its rivers and waterfalls such as Nabuyole and Teremi. In addition, the areas around Mount Elgon and Sang’alo Hill have developed caves. Other notable areas of interest in Bungoma County include the Cultural Centre at Sang’alo, Dini ya Msambwa headquarters at Maeni in Kimilili and the Kumfunje Bridge near Webuye Town.
Population of Bungoma County
The projections for 2015 put the population of Bungoma County at 1,655,281 (Male 808,449, Female 846,832) and by 2017 the population was projected to be 1,759,499 (Male 859,350 and Female 900,149). Most of the population in Bungoma County is concentrated in major towns, urban centers and markets (Bungoma, Kimilili and Webuye) because of better opportunities and amenities.
Airports in Bungoma County
Bungoma County has two unused airstrips at Webuye and Bungoma Towns.
Roads in Bungoma County
Bungoma County has 67 kms of class A roads and 154 kms of class C roads. The A1 Eldoret-Webuye-Malaba Road and A104 Webuye-Kiminini-Kitale are the only class A-type roads, which traverse through Bungoma and Webuye Towns.
Climate in Bungoma County
Bungoma County has two rainy seasons, the long-March to July and short rains-August to October. The annual temperature in the County vary between 0°c and 32°c due to different levels of attitude, with the highest peak of Mount Elgon recording slightly less than 0°c. It embodies the typical tropical climate.
National Monuments in Bungoma County
- Chetambe’s Fort
- Muhanda Fort
outlook
Touring Bungoma County a rich cultural and natural experience. Visit the local villages to experience traditional Luhya culture, including music, dance, and food. The Luhya are known for their vibrant cultural heritage. Around Bungoma County are many great spots for photography and to appreciate the nature’s beauty.
A Guide to Bungoma County
A Summa Digest of Bungoma
About Bungoma Way Back When
26 Destinations in Bungoma County, arranged as one would visit these - north, south east then west - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Mount Elgon National Reserve, Elephants Maternity Ward, Chepkitale Forest, Kaptama Viewpoint, Chemoge High Altitude Training Camp, Bukusu Cultural Centre, Maeni Shrine, Namunyu Cave, Daraja la Mungu, Malakisi Falls, Kabuchai Hills, Teremi Falls, Chwele Market, Muyayi Dam, Luucho Hills, Musikoma Hills, Hunters Paraside Cottages, Bungoma Sports Club, Mwibale wa Mwanja, Buteyo Miti Park, Sangalo Rocks, Chetambe Fort, Old Webuye Mills, Nabuyole Falls, Kumfunje Bridge, Mwikhupo Falls
Know More About Bungoma County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Bungoma lies is within the Lake Victoria Basin, rising from 1200 ms in the west and southwest to over 4,000 ms in the north near Mt. Elgon – the most prominent landmark, featuring a large protected forest park.
Annual temperature in Busia County vary between 0°C and 32°C due to different levels of attitude, with the highest peak of Mount Elgon recording low temps., slightly less than 0°C.
