Rivers in Busia County
Nzoia River: A Lifeline of Western Kenya
On the account that River Nzoia has the largest basin in Kenya’s Lake Victoria system, with an approximate catchment area of 12,709 km2 and a length of 257 km to its mouth at Lake Victoria, warrants a mention as one the salient natural heritages of Busia County. Overall, the Nzoia River is a vital natural resource that plays a crucial role in supporting livelihoods and agriculture in western Kenya.
Rising in the forested uplands of Mount Elgon with tributaries from Cherangani Hills, Nandi Hills and Kakamega Forest, the Nzoia traverses five counties – Trans Nzoia, Kakamega, Kisumu, Siaya and Busia – before debouching into Lake Victoria a short distance north of Yala Swamp. The Nzoia River is fed by vast streams originating from the slopes of Mount Elgon and other nearby hills. Some of the major tributaries include the Lwakhakha, Lwakhakha, and Lusumu Rivers.
The width of River Nzoia decreases gradually from about 50 m at 140 km inland to around 40 m in the upper reaches of Kakamega, Bungoma, Trans Nzoia and Uasin Gishu counties where the altitude is high, and the slopes are steep. The reduction in width, continuously transient at it heads to the mouth, reduces the capacity of the river channel – so that the river seasonally overflows the banks forming the delta. River Nzoia is a mixed blessing for the communities found along its banks.
On the one hand, the waters of the River Nzoia provide a vital life line as a source of water for subsistence and irrigation. On the other hand, in the lowland zone, especially around Budalangi, it continues to experience annual flood disasters due to failure of structural flood mitigation systems like earth dykes to control its high flows. Then, there is the devastating effects of pollution, from industrial waste gathered upstream, with the smell of the water itself striking you from a distance.
Kenya is blessed with several rivers, each playing a vital role in the country’s ecosystem, economy, and culture. The longest of these is the Tana, stretching approximately 1,000 kilometers from its source in the Aberdare Mountains to the Indian Ocean. Long, wide, short, seasonal, the rivers that crisscross Kenya each contributes to the natural beauty, biodiversity, and socio-economic success.
Index of The Longest Rivers in Kenya
River Tana - approx. 1,000 km: rising in Mount Kenya and Aberdare Ranges and draining into Indian Ocean; Ewaso Nyiro - approx. 700 km: rising in Mount Kenya and draining into the Lorian Swamp; Daua River - approx. 450 km; rising in the Sidamo Highland (through Ethiopia and Kenya) and draining into the Somali Sea; The Mara River - approx. 395 km, formed in Bomet County, after the Nyangores and Amala River merge, it drains into Lake Victoria, and is thus a tributary to the Nile River; Athi-Galana-Sabaki - approx. 390 km; rising in the Aberdare Ranges and draining into Indian Ocean; Mara River - approx. 380 km; rising in the Mau Escarpment and draining into Lake Victoria; Kerio River - approx. 350 km; rising in the Tugen Hills and draining into Lake Turkana; Turkwel River - approx. 340 km; rising in Mount Elgon and draining into Lake Turkana; River Nzoia - approx. 257 km: rising in the Cherangani Hills and draining into Lake Victoria; Southern Ewaso Nyiro - approx. 220 km; rising in the Mau Escarpment and drains into Lake Natron; River Yala - approx. 219 km; rising in the Nandi Escarpment and draining into Lake Victoria; Gucha River - approx. 190 kms: rising in the Kiabonyoru Hills in Nyamira County and draining into Lake Victoria; River Nyando - approx. 153 km: rising in the Mau Escarpment and draining into Lake Victoria
outlook
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.
You Are Here: River Nzoia
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations Nearby River Nzoia
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 about Busia is more or less homogeneous. Mean maximum temperature ranges yearly between 26°C and 30°C while the average minimum temperature ranges between 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.