The home of bullfighting and 'weeping stone'

By Joel Okwayo

It is the county boasting unique resources and cultural traditions. For over a century, bullfighting has remained an interesting cultural spectacle.

The event is held every month at Lubao and Khayega markets.

During bullfighting events, a carnival mood engulfs the region as thousands of local and international tourists flock the area. The mood is heightened with the isikuti beats, sounds from traditional horns and the occasional litungu lyre.

It is not any other bull that participates in the fight. They are specially bred for battle, fed with molasses-spiked grass and isolated from heifers at age three – when they are ready for the ring – to prevent them from mating and supposedly preserve their energy.

Ikolomani MP Bonny Khalwale is carried shoulder high in a past bull fighting event.

On the eve of a fight, they are psychologically prepared by dieting on remnants of a traditional brew and other special concoctions believed to increase their aggressiveness.

Kakamega forest also gives the county its uniqueness. This is a pristine area of lush rain forest in Kenya, a remnant forest of the great Congo forest. Rare species of primates, including the red tailed monkey, butterflies and chameleons and bird life such as the Blue Turaco, snakes and reptiles make their homes beneath the verdant canopy of the rainforests.

Over 380 plant species have been recorded in the forest. Local people use about 50 species for medicinal purposes.

There are a further 330 birds, 400 butterfly, 200 bee, 27 snake, 17 frog and seven primate species in the forest.

Some of the animals found in the forest have their closest relatives in the West African forest.

On top of the hills in Kakamega East lies another unique phenomenon, which is a tourist attraction — the “crying stone.”

The stone is a landmark that consists of a large boulder resting on top of a massive pillar of rocks eight metres high.

The formation resembles a head falling on weary shoulders and from the top “tears” flow down the length of the column. The stone is stained dark green from many years of “weeping”.

The cause of this natural curiosity is a hidden reservoir at the top of the stone “head”. When it rains, the reservoir fills up with water and slowly flows through small cracks down the side of the “shoulders”.Moss that grows inside the reservoir soaks up water and allows it to flow for many weeks at a time, even during a dry season.

Revenue from the huge county is likely to be drawn mainly from agricultural activities and tourism.

The area has the largest sugar manufacturing factory in the country. Mumias Sugar Company (MSC) contributes over Sh1.8 billion to Kenya Revenue Authority every year. The company also plays a key role in development of the region.

Apart from MSC, the region has West Kenya Sugar Company, which is located in Kakamega North District and the soon to be commissioned Butali Sugar Company.

The county also has the potential of producing palm oil. Kenya Agricultural Research Institute, located in Kakamega town, is playing a key role in distributing seedlings to farmers in the region.

Kakamega County has few tarmac roads, with Kakamega –Webuye, Kakamega-Mumias, Kakamega-Busia being the main roads. Construction of other roads such as Mumias-Butere is under way.

For over a century, bullfighting has remained an interesting cultural spectacle.

Kisumu-Kakamega-Webuye road is in a pathetic state but repairs have started.

The county management will have the task of reviving the railway line services from Kisumu to Butere. The rails are in a deplorable condition after passenger services from Kisumu to Butere were terminated.

Kakamega County has only one public university – Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University have however set up distance learning campuses in Kakamega town.

The main challenge however is the high rate of unemployment among youth. This has let to the flourishing of boda boda business in the region. The expected county administration will therefore have to seek solutions to this challenge, given Kakamega town, which is to be the seat of power, has no single light factory.

The area has the potential to improve health care services as it has the Kakamega Provincial General Hospital, which acts as the referral institution for Western Province.

A lecturer at Maseno university, Gabriel Mukoya, says one of the key challenges that face the new county is getting committed and focused leaders to manage it well to ensure economic growth is achieved.