Bungoma

Bungoma is a town in Bungoma County of Kenya, bordered by Uganda in the west. Bungoma town was established as a trading centre in the early 20th century. The town is the headquarters of Kenya's Bungoma County.

Bungoma
Location in Kenya
Coordinates: 00°34′00″N 34°34′00″E
Country Kenya
CountyBungoma County
Elevation
4,544 ft (1,385 m)
Population
 (2009 Census)[1]
 • Total54,469
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)
ClimateAm

Naming

Bungoma, was named from engoma—the Bukusu word for drums. The town was originally a meeting place for Bukusu elders. The sound of drums would emanate from the area as the meeting venue, leading to its eventual naming as Bungoma.[2]

There is a second version of the story. It says that in the early days, the area was occupied by the Bungomek, a clan of the Sabaot. The Bungomek was later driven out by the Bukusu, but the name Bungoma, in reference to their occupation, remained.

Economy

Farming is the main economic activity in the county. Bungoma county is sugar country, with one of the country's largest sugar factories, as well as numerous small-holder sugar mills. Maize is also grown for subsistence, alongside pearl millet and sorghum. Dairy farming is widely practised, as well as the raising of poultry. There is a small but important tourist circuit, centering on the biennial circumcision ceremonies.

Overview
Salvation Army in Bungoma

The major economic activity in the area is sugarcane farming. This is because more than 67000 farmers directly depend on Nzoia Sugar Company Ltd.[3] Early businesses were supported by the Kenya-Uganda Railway which passes through the town. The collapse of Webuye paper mills and the struggling of nzoia sugar company has led to an economic nightmare in the county. Most of the people previously employed there have looked for other jobs while some have totally relocated to other counties.

Major tertiary educational institutions include the Sang'alo Institute of Science and Technology, Mabanga Farmer's training center, SACRED Training Institute, Kibabii University College and Bungoma High school.

The Governor of Bungoma is Wycliffe Wangamati who was elected in the 2017 election, preceded by Ken Lusaka after the 2013 Elections who is the current speaker of the Senate. Previously the mayor of Bungoma town was Barasa Mbinga of Ford-Kenya, who beat the previous mayor Majimbo Okumu of ODM in the 2009 mayoral election, voted by the Bungoma councilors.[4] The senator of Bungoma is Hon. Moses M. Wetangula.

See also

The current Bungoma Governor is Wycliffe Wangamati after the August 8th 2017 election

References
  1. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. "2009 Population and Housing Census: Spatial Distribution and Urbanisation Report". Archived from the original on 14 November 2017. Retrieved 26 May 2018.
  2. MORRIS KIRUGA. Daily Nation. How local dialects influenced naming of west Kenya towns. 23 July 2013
  3. https://www.nzoiasugar.co.ke/
  4. The Standard, July 3, 2009: ODM loses Bungoma mayoral seat to Ford-Kenya

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