Kisumu City

Kisumu is the third-largest city in Kenya found in the Lake Victoria area in the one-time Nyanza Province. It is the second-largest city after Kampala in the Lake Victoria Basin. The city has a population of barely over 600,000. The metro region, including Maseno and Ahero, has a population of 1,155,574 people (560,942 males, 594,609 females, and 23 intersexes) according to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census which was led by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

Besides being an influential political city, it is one of the exclusive industrial and commercial centers in Kenya. It is correspondingly a scholarly city with numerous PhDs. The city is presently experiencing an urban revitalization of the downtown and lower town which includes updating the lakefront, decongesting main streets, and making the streets pedestrian-friendly.

Culturally, Kisumu serves as the center of the Luo people of East Africa. It was the considerable prominent urban centre in the pre-colonial and post-colonial periods. It remains prominent in the modern era for natives of the Kavirondo region. It was briefly renamed Port Florence before its name was retrogressed back

Economic Activities in Kisumu City

Kisumu City has a full range of educational, industrial, agricultural, medical, and social facilities. Kisumu is multi-ethnic with the Luo tribe predominating. Although Dholuo is the local language mostly used here, Swahili is spoken throughout Kenya, and English is also widely understood. Local industries in Kisumu include the Kenya Match Company and the Coke Bottling Factory.

Fish farming in Kenya is a major industry. Tea in Kenya, coffee in Kenya, cotton in Kenya and sugar cane farming are produced for export. Maize in Kenya is also grown for local consumption. Kisumu city is fast developing as a tourist industry with the attractions of Lake Victoria and nearby wildlife. Farmers in Nyanza Province also grow millet, cassava and bananas as basic foods. Cassava is a drought-resistant root crop that comes in handy during the dry seasons.

Kisumu County

Its a County in the former Nyanza region Kisumu County borders Vihiga County to the North, Nandi County to the North East, Kericho County to the East, Nyamira County to the South, Homa Bay County to the South West and Siaya County to the West. Read more

Kisumu Governor

Currently, Anyang Nyong’o is the Kisumu County governor. He was elected on 8/8/2022 under an ODM ticket.

Kisumu Sub Counties

• Kisumu West
• Kisumu Central
• Kisumu East
• Seme
• Muhoroni
• Nyando
• Nyakach

Kisumu International Airport

This airport is located on the shores of Lake Victoria and it is the third largest airport in Kenya. It usually handles cargo – mostly fishery products as well as has several commercial airlines that enable people to travel in the city, especially those bordering Uganda and Tanzania since the airport is near both of the borders.

Kisumu Weather

Kisumu’s average temperature is 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Peak temperatures reach into the high 80s and 90s, with low temperatures dropping into the 60s. Morning humidity levels in Kisumu are between 80 percent and 90 percent, with evening humidity percentage levels dropping into the 40s and 50s. Current weather update

Places To Visit in Kisumu City/ Tourist Attractions in Kisumu County

Hippo Point

Once a popular picnic site on the shores of Lake Victoria about 3km from town, it’s now neglected but still nice place to see sunsets on the lake.

Kisumu Impala Sanctuary

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

On the shores of Lake Victoria, is a meager but interesting one- a square-kilometer wildlife sanctuary. It is home to the last herds of impala that were once around town and a white rhino and zebras.
For more information visit: Kisumu Impala Sanctuary

Kit Mikayi

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

A large rocky outcrop with three towering rocks. It is off the Kisumu-Bondo Road. Kit-mikayi means “Stones of the first wife” in Dholuo, the Luo language. It is believed that Mikayi (”the first wife”) went up the hill to the stones when her husband took a second wife. She has been weeping ever since.
For more information visit: Kit Mikayi

Kisumu Museum

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

Kisumu Museum has the largest exhibition of the UNESCO-sponsored ‘Ber-gi-dala’ or a Luo traditional homestead.
For more information visit: Kisumu Museum

Ndere Island National Park

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

Ndere Island National Park is a 4.2 km park on the outskirts of Kisumu town off the northern shore of Lake Victoria, which opened in November 1986. A five-minute motor—boat ride will get you to the island.
For more information visit: Ndere Island National

Ruma National Park

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

Ruma National Park is named after one of Kenya’s most powerful wizards, the much—feared Gor Mahia who lived near the park.
For more information visit: Ruma National Park

Alego Nyangoma Kogelo Village

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

Alego Nyangoma Kogelo village is the official birthplace of Barack Obama Snr, the father of the United States’ first black president, Barack Obama. The sleepy village in southeast Alego in Siaya County Council and Alego Constituency became famous overnight when Barack Obama vied for the presidency for the USA in 2006.

Obama’s grandmother, Sarah Obama is a popular figure in the village. Visiting her requires a clearance letter from either the police or the District to the Officer in Siaya town.

Got Ramogi Hill

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

Got Ramogi Hill is the home of the great grandfather of the Luo community when the Luo first settled on the shore of the lake.

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, 60 km from Kisumu town. It is final place of the late Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Kenya’s first vice president. The Luo Heroes’The
Exhibition Centre on in Bondo; Western Kenya holds it cultural symbols traditional artifacts and regalia of the African tribes.

Kanam Prehistoric Site

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

Kanam Prehistoric site is on the shores of Lake Victoria on the Homa peninsula near Homa Mountain. Louis Leakey’s expedition in 1932 discovered a fossil human mandible and Pleistocene fauna including prehistoric stone tools. Recent finds are paleontological bones dating between 1 and 6 million years ago.

Kanjera Prehistoric site and Kanjera hot springs (Bala Rawi)

Category: Tourists Attractions in Kisumu City

These hot salty springs where eggs can be boiled is where Doctor Louis Leakey in 1932 found cranial and funeral fragments of hominids. These were estimated to be 500 years old. Local people collect salt from the evaporated salt water.

Luanda Magere Site and Grave

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

Luanda Magere Site and Grave is along Nyando river. Luanda was a warrior, believed to be made of stone. Nobody could kill him. When war broke out between the Luo and Kipsigis tribes, Luanda killed many Kipsigis. The Kipsigis came up with a strategy. Luanda was given a woman from the Kipsigis tribe to marry.

The woman learned the secret of Luanda’s life when he fell sick and asked his wife to treat his shadow. When fighting broke out again between the two tribes, the woman told her people the secret of Luanda’s life. A warrior threw a spear into Luanda’s shadow, killing him. Luanda turned into a stone, which still lies on the spot. It is believed by hunters around this place that if you sharpen a spear on the rock, you can make a kill easily. This story is compared with the biblical story of Samson.

Songhor Paleontology Sites

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

Songhor Paleontology Sites is situated in the sugarcane area of Nyando about half an hour’s drive from Luanda Magere Site towards Nandi hills. The Miocene site dates 19 million years. There is evidence of a large variety of animals that lived here. The fossil humanoids collected from this site range from small to big apes.

Thimlich Ohinga

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

Thimlich Ohinga refers to a “frightening dense forest” in the Dholuo language. Thimlich Ohinga is a unique architectural stone structure in Nyanza province, 181 km south of Kisumu in Migori district. Archaeological records of materials found within the site date 500 years ago. The site lies on a gently sloping hill 46 km northwest of Migori town near Macalders’ Mines.

Tom Mboya Mausoleum

Category: Tourist Attractions in Kisumu City

Tom Mboya Mausoleum near Kasawanga on the Island has mementos and a few of the many gifts that received in his lifetime though many have disappeared near Mbita Point.

Hotels and Accommodation in Kisumu Town

• Acacia Premier Hotel

Acacia Premier Hotel is a lavish hotel situated in the prime leafy suburb of Milimani, standing on the shores of Lake Victoria. It boasts of a rooftop terrace with extensive views of Kisumu West. Enjoy free wireless internet access all through the premises, an outdoor pool, and a boardroom. This hotel offers convenience, serenity, and a flair for the spectacular, for all who visit.
For further information please visit: Acacia Premier Hotel

• Imperial Hotel Kisumu

Imperial Hotel offers luxury accommodation in the heart of Kisumu. The imposing white building surrounds a leafy central courtyard and swimming pool. There are 70 en-suite rooms. The standard rooms have twin beds and are equipped with armchairs, a coffee table, a desk, an electronic safe, and a telephone. The deluxe rooms have, in addition, a minibar, kettle, and bathroom amenities.

The 3 spacious executive suites and 1 presidential suite include an elegant living area and are equipped with iron, a hairdryer, daily newspapers, a TV, a CD player, and 2 telephone extensions. There are also l2 apartments with sitting room, study, and fully equipped kitchenette.

• Kiboko Bay Resort

Kiboko Bay Resort is named after the hippos that wallow in front of the resort,it is a tented camp on Lake Victoria. Mariieured lawns, dotted with bougainvillea and palms and humming with birdsong, slope gently to the water’s edge.The restaurant serves international cuisine, including fresh lake fish. Guests can also eat on the shady terrace or beside the lakefront swimming pool. There is a fully stocked bar and a peaceful library.
For further information please visit: Kiboko Bay Resort

• Sovereign Hotel

Sovereign Hotel Kisumu is a beautiful boutique hotel aiming to offer unique and luxurious accommodation, situated in Kisumu. They have a restaurant that offers local and international meals, they also offer accommodation, and it’s a fine place to hold cooperate events and weddings. Each room is spacious, fully air-conditioned, and designed with a balcony or a terrace that overlooks the beautiful surroundings.

All rooms at the hotel feature floor-to-ceiling windows, ornate Persian rugs and lampshades, comfortable beds and fresh bedding, polished executive tables and armchairs. Bathrooms are en-suite.

• Vittoria Suites

Vittoria Suites is a luxury hotel located in the high-end suburbs of Milimani Estate in Kisumu. Free WIFI is available. Book your suite now at bed and breakfast rates and wake up to a breathtaking view of Lake Victoria. The kitchenette in the suites is equipped with tea-making facilities, a microwave, a crockery, and a fridge making it ideal for long-stay holidays.
The Terrace Bar and Restaurant serves continental cuisine with a variety of wines, spirits, and beers. This can also be enjoyed in the garden restaurant.

• Pinecone Hotel

Pinecone Hotel is located in Tom Mboya Estate Kisumu, along Dakar Road. The hotel’s close proximity to Kisumu International Airport, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching College and other major businesses makes it a suitable accommodation choice for business and leisure travelers. Free WiFi is provided for all guests. Pinecone Hotel has 70 accommodation units that are designed with custom-made furniture and finishings. Each room has a workstation, flat-screen TVs, and en-suite bathrooms.

• Hotel Dew Church Drive

Hotel Dew Church Drive is located at the edge of Kisumu City. This hotel in Kenya boasts close proximity to major city attractions like museums and galleries, shopping malls, and cinema halls. Free WiFi is provided for all guests. They offer accommodation and an onsite restaurant.
For further information please visit: Hotel Dew Church Drive.

• Great Lakes Hotel

The Great Lakes Hotel is situated in a remote spot, adjacent to the Kenya National Library and with beautiful views over Lake Victoria. The international airport and the city center is only a short drive away. They have a restaurant that offers local and international meals and they also offer accommodation.
For further information please visit: the Great Lakes Hotel

• Whirlspring Hotel

Whirlspring Hotel is a centrally located hotel offering basic comfortable overnight accommodation in Kisumu. The hotel is located near the Kilimani shopping centre within the CBD and just 15 minutes from the airport.Whirlspring hotel is a good choice to have a relaxing holiday, hold a business meeting, or just to unwind after accumulated stress.
Whirlspring Hotel offers accommodation in spacious well-appointed rooms that are built in three-storey clusters interconnected through archways.
For further information please visit: Whirlspring Hotel

• Alcazar Hotel Kisumu

Alcazar Hotel is located off the Kisumu – Kakamega Road in Kenya. Its proximity to many business centers makes it a favorite for business travelers. Free WiFi is available. Each room is designed with an en-suite bathroom and fitted with a TV with satellite channels and an air conditioner.
For more information please visit: Alcazar Hotel Kisumu

• Excellent Magere Guest House

Category: Hotels in Kisumu Kenya

Excellent Magere Guest House is a quiet, modern guesthouse in the Kisumu suburb of Millimani. Not far from the town center, the guesthouse is within easy reach of the shops, restaurants, and businesses of Kisumu. This peaceful and private place suits both tourists and business travelers. The 12 en~suite rooms are made up of 5 singles, 5 doubles, and 2 family rooms that each have 2 double beds. All rooms have aircon, fan, and TV with local channels. Mosquito nets are on both the beds and the windows.
For more information please visit: Excellent Magere Guest House

• Hillside Villa Kisumu

Hillside Villa Kisumu is located along the Kisumu – Kakamega Highway in Kisumu. The facility is nestled among serene palm trees. There is free Wi-Fi internet access across the premises. There are 42 en-suite rooms, made up of singles, doubles, twins, and cottages. The cottages are furnished, self—catering, 1-bedro0m apartments, with personal maids. All rooms have satellite TV, internet, and room service. Extra beds and baby cots are available on request. Safari Restaurant serves a combination of international and local dishes.
For more information please visit; Hillside Villa Kisumu

• Homa Bay Tourist Hotel Ltd

Homa Bay Tourist Hotel Ltd is located on the shores of Lake Victoria at Kisumu County. Homabay Tourist Hotel is 12km away from Simbi Nyaima for cultural history in Kendu and 26km away from Ruma National Park. It offers a scenic view of the birds at the lake. Free WiFi is available on the premises. There are 23 en-suite rooms, made up of 15 standard and 8 superior rooms. The rooms all have a fan, mosquito net, writing table, and telephone.Each room is fitted with a wardrobe, a TV with satellite reception, and designed with an en-suite bathroom.
For more information please visit; Homa Bay Tourist Hotel Ltd.

• Hotel Beograda Kisumu

Hotel Beograda is located near the large matatu stage, it is a tall building in the centre of Kisumu Town, rising over a large sign Kelly’s Bar and Restaurant. They offer accommodation but they do not have a restaurant.There are 63 en-suite rooms that are made up of doubles and twins beds. The rooms are small and basic, and are furnished with bed, table, chair and basin.The hotel does not serve food, but there are several restaurants nearby.
For more information please visit; Hotel Beograda

• Hotel Perch

Hotel Perch has striking views overtaking Victoria, a lake filled with the Nile Perch which gave the hotel its name. The hotel is a prominent orange building, with terracotta embellishments. A polished wooden staircase leads from the large stone entrance hall to the wood-paneled reception on the 1st floor. There are 70 en-suite rooms, made up of singles, doubles, and twins. All rooms have armchairs, coffee tables, a writing desk, a TV with local channels, and a mosquito net.
For more information please visit: Hotel Perch

• Hotel Vunduba

Hotel Vunduba formerly Hotel Merryland, is a large hotel set around a shady courtyard. They offer accommodation, a restaurant that seves both local and international dishes and have a conference room. There are 62 en-suite rooms in 2 buildings, made up of singles, doubles and apartments. All rooms have TV with local channels and overhead ceiling fan. The apartments have a double room with an en—suite bathroom, an interlinking room with a single bed, armchairs, coffee table and TV, and a basic kitchenette. Crockery, cutlery and kitchen utensils can be provided by the hotel restaurant if required.
For more information please visit: Hotel Vunduba

• Sunset Hotel Kisumu

Nestled in an enchanting town in the leafy suburb of Milimani Estate in Kisumu, Sunset provides perfect accompaniment to your stay in “the millennium city” Whether it is for business, a meeting, a magical holiday, or a romantic wedding and honeymoon we have all it takes to make it memorable.

• Vic Hotel Kisumu

The Vic Hotel Kisumu is located in Mega City, along Nairobi road in Kisumu, and seeks to give the business or leisure traveler a relaxing home-away-from-home atmosphere. The Vic Hotel Kisumu rooms are luxurious and beautifully designed. It offers the care of friendly staff and clean and spacious accommodations with excellent service and attention to detail.

• Jumuia Hotel Kisumu

Jumuia Hotel Kisumu, located along Gumbi Road is a perfect destination for corporate and business meetings. It is fully equipped with conference facilities in all the meeting halls, complimented by spacious self-contained deluxe rooms that meet the needs of a discerning business traveler.

• Royal City Hotel Kisumu

Royal City Town Centre Branch is located along Odera Street in the heart of Kisumu City. The hotel offers lovely views of Kisumu Airport and Lake Victoria. Free WiFi is also available. The Royal City Hotel Kisumu provides top-class meetings and conferencing facilities, with a range of outdoor and indoor meeting venues.

The spacious lawns can accommodate up to 300 persons, while the in-house meeting rooms can accommodate between 8 and 250 persons. Daytime food is served in different dining well-appointed halls and restaurants. Evening dinner offers a unique dining experience.

• Palmers Hotel Kisumu

Hotel Palmers is located in the heart of Kisumu City. Every effort is made to ensure that your stay at Hotel Palmers is an enjoyable and unforgettable experience. The hotel is committed to enhancing and further developing guest services and offers something special to return to on each visit.

Education Institutions in Kisumu City

Kisumu is home to many Universities and colleges:

• Maseno University
• Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
• Great Lakes University
• University of Nairobi-Kisumu Campus
• Catholic University of East Africa-Kisumu Campus
• Daystar University-Kisumu campus
• Ramogi Institute of Advanced Technology (RIAT)
• Tom Mboya Labour College
• DALC Education Kisumu Campus
• Amani Counselling Centre and Training Institute Kisumu
• Nairobi Aviation College, Kisumu Branch
• Intraglobal Training Institute, Kisumu
• International School of Medicine and Technology
• Foundation Institute of Africa
• African Institute of Research and Development Studies, Kisumu City Campus
• KCA University-Kisumu campus
• Kisumu Industrial Training Centre
• Western College of Hospitality and Professional Studies
• Kisumu Polytechnic
• International School of Medicine and Applied Technology
• Kenya College of AccountancyLake Institute of Tropical Medicine
• X-elle School of Hair Design & Beauty
• La-Von School of Hair and Beauty
• Sigotop Career Development College
• Ivory Tower Institute
• Elros Investments Mamboleo

When was Kisumu made a city?

Kisumu, Kenya was declared a city in 2001 during its centenary celebrations.

Kisumu City Population

The city has a population of barely over 600,000. The metro region, including Maseno and Ahero, has a population of 1,155,574 people (560,942 males, 594,609 females, and 23 intersex) according to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census which was carried out by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.