Unusual Attractions in Busia
Alupe Leprosy Center: A Unique Research Site
One of the unorthodox places in Busia County, just 8 km from Busia town, is Alupe Leprosy Center. More of a pass-by than drop-in site, the information serves well the traveller using the C43 Malaba-Amukura-Alupe-Busia Road. It is 29 km from Malaba to Busia. Among its diverse medical vocations, this center is a specialized facility dedicated to the treatment, care, and rehabilitation of individuals affected by leprosy, also known as Hansen’s disease – a chronic infectious disease caused by a type of bacteria that predominantly affects the skin and peripheral nerves.
The stuff of nightmares for many people since the biblical times, leprosy instilled the practice of fear and avoidance in many societies because of the associated physical disfigurement and lack of understanding behind its cause. It became a diffused illness in Europe during the medieval period, particularly between 1000 and 1400 AD when it ravaged Roman conquests and crusades. Now a neglected tropical disease, Leprosy is still feared and dreaded in equal parts but still occurs in more than 120 countries, with more than 200,000 new cases reported yearly.
Established in 1947 as the Alupe Leprosarium Hospital, at Alupe, it housed the Leprosy and Skin Disease Research Centre for East Africa. The leper colonies were established during colonial times when a policy of mandatory quarantine was effected as the only way to stem the disease. The first director East Africa Leprosy Research Centre was Dr. James Ross Ines. He served between January 1954 and January 1957. He previously acted as the inter-territorial leprologist between June 1947 and December 1953. The second Director of the East Africa Leprosy Research Centre was Dr. John Michael Baring Garred who served between 1957 and 1963.
Akin to its opposite-numbers around the world, the goal of Alupe Leprosy Center was and is to eliminate leprosy as a public health problem. This involves reducing the number of new cases, ensuring early detection and prompt treatment, and addressing the social and economic factors that contribute to the persistence of leprosy. It is involved in research and education initiatives aimed at advancing scientific knowledge about leprosy and improving treatment outcomes. It works with universities and research institutions to conduct studies on leprosy.
Around Kenya are a selection of natural landmarks, cultural shrines, architectural oddities, and technological installations that offer incredible, almost surreal experiences that can make you feel as if you’ve stepped into another world. Hauntingly beautiful to some, eerie sights for others, and still, for others, down right strange, these site provide unique experiences for adventurous travelers.
Index of Unusual Attractions Around Kenya
Baringo County - Olduka (Mogotio) Valley, Busia County - The Alupe Leprosy Centre, Elgeyo Marakwet County - Kipteberr, Isiolo County - Magado Crater, Magado Cave Dwellings, Nantudu Spire Rock, Merti Catholic Church, Buffalo Springs, Harr Girrissa, Kericho County - Van Wicker's Cave, The Kipkelion Monastery, Kilifi County - Hell's Kitchen, Luigi Broglio Space Centre, Ngomeni Shipwreck, Kwale County - Three Sisters Caves, Mrima Hills Rare Earth Mine, Laikipia County - Sirmon & Nyariginu Confluence, Lamu County - The Lamu Donkey Sanctuary, Machakos County - Komarock Shrine, Kituluni Magical Hill, Makueni County - Kenze Gorges, Virgin Mary Shrine, Emali Trig, Holy Nzaui Rock, Mandera County - Marehan Sandstone, Marsabit County - Chalbi Desert, Meru County - Mystical Lake Nkunga, The Giant Footprints, Mombasa County - Kizingo, Mbaraki Pillar, Muranga County - Muranga Gorges, Nakuru County - Longonot Earth Station, Menegai, The Djinn House, Diana Caldwell's Shrine, Nandi County - Sheu Morobi Cliffs, Kopere Rocks, Nyandarua County - The Kinangop Step, Wanjohi Happy Valley, Dragon's Teeth, Nyeri County - Italian Memorial Church & Somali Wall, Taita Taveta County - The Taita Skull Caves, Shetani Lava, Yatta Springs, Nyiri Taru Desert, Crystal Caves at Lake Chala, Salaita (Slaughter) Hill, Haunted Sniper's Tree, Turkana County - Kapedo Falls, Lake Alablab, The Turkana Boy Monument, Samburu County - Samburu Singing Wells, Ngurunit Pools & Slides, Mystical Emuruangogolak, Vihiga County - Wagevere Rock, Nganyi Rainmakers Forest, Wajir County - Shaletey Caves
Enjoy the warm hospitality of the people of Busia County while exploring its diverse attractions. Busia County offers a blend of cultural experiences, natural beauty, and historical sites. Visit the lakeshore to enjoy serene views, take boat rides, and possibly visit fishing communities to learn about their way of life.
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A Guide to Busia County
A Summa Digest of Busia
About Busia Way Back When
22 Destinations in Busia County, arranged as one would visit these - east, south then north - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Sio Port, Samia Hills, Bakhulo Shrines in Samia, Budalang'i Forest, Port Victoria, Namenya Hills, Marenga Beach, Muhondo Conservancy, Budalang'i Delta, Che's Bay Resort, Bunyala Rice Scheme, River Nzoia, Yala Swamp, Sio Siteki Swamp, Kavirondo Rocks, Emakina Hills, Alupe Leprosy Center, Busia Border Point, Kocholia Irrigation Scheme, Kakapel Rock, Kakapel Cultural Centre, Malaba Sanctuary
Know More About Busia County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate and National Monuments
The temperature around Busia is more or less homogeneous. Mean maximum temperature ranges yearly between 26°C and 30°C while the average minimum temperature ranges yearly betwixt 14°C and 22°C.
Both the geography and the natural conditions of Busia are largely reflective of the relief features of the surroundings Lake Victoria Catchment, in that much of the county falls within the Lake Victoria Basin.