Western Province (Kenya)

The Western Province of Kenya, bordering Uganda, is one of Kenya's seven administrative provinces outside Nairobi. It is west of the Eastern Rift Valley and is inhabited mainly by the Luhya people. Quakerism is widely practised here. Kenya's second highest mountain, Mount Elgon is located in Bungoma District. The Kakamega Forest rainforest is part of the area. The province capital is the town of Kakamega. In 1999 the total population was of 3,358,776 inhabitants within an area of 8,361 km².

Geography

Western Province has diverse physical features, from the hills of northern Bungoma district to the plains bordering Lake Victoria in Busia District. The highest point in Western Province is the peak of Mount Elgon, while the lowest point is the town of Busia on the water at Lake Victoria.

Climate

The climate is mainly tropical, with variations due to altitude. Kakamega district is mainly hot and wet most of the year, while Bungoma district is colder but just as wet. Busia district is the warmest, while the hilly Vihiga District is the coldest. The entire province experiences very heavy rainfall all year round, with the long rains in the earlier months of the year.

Economy

Farming is the main economic activity in the province.

Bungoma district 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...
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