Homa Bay County

The Lakeside Hub

A Summa Digest of Homa Bay County

Homa Bay County, situated in the western part of Kenya, is a popular circuit that beckons travelers with its scenic beauty, diverse cultural heritage, and a plethora of natural attractions. Nestled on the shores of Lake Victoria, the county offers a unique blend of experiences, making it an interesting destination for those seeking newfangled adventure, cultural enrichment, and relaxation. Its self-same capital town of Homa Bay, along the lake’s shores, serves as a regional commercial hub.

At the core of Homa Bay’s allure is Lake Victoria, Africa’s largest freshwater lake. It is also home to famed Ruma National Park, the only park in Kenya where you can spot the rare and handsome roan antelope, among a prolific wildlife show. Dotted across the county, notably in the mid to west half are a heaps of fetching hills to boot. Not to missed, too, are the heritage sites, museums and natural landmarks. And if you’re seeking a getaway, the islands in particular offer a romantic setting.

Life in Homa Bay County, resembling a sideway-drop-shaped icon that becomes narrower to eastward, is centered on the immensity of extent of Lake Victoria. The lakeshore is as long as it diameter, lining it along the whole northern and western boundaries, covering a distance of almost 130 km from near Kendu Bay (east) to Nyandiwa (west). On top of that is the presence of twelve islands, big and small.

It is this considerable presence of Lake Victoria that influences much of Homa Bay’s climate and socio-economics. On a lesser extent, along the lay of the land, are the picturesque hills, exemplified by Homa, Huri, Gembe and Gwassi Hills in the furthest west. For many years now, these have been much-liked vantages to survey and appreciate the landscape of Homa Bay County. Below Gwassi Hills, on Lambwe Valley, sits Ruma National Park. In the south, Homa Bay County is bound by Migori, Kisii, and Nyamira Counties, and in the north-east lies Kisumu County.

If, instead of proceeding to Kisumu town at Ahero by way of the A1 Road, one turns left travelling towards Awasi – 25 km before Kisumu town – they finds themselves in a picturesque rural setting, on a good road, with fetches of rice plantations and scattered home, before arriving at Katito 14 km away. At Katito, joining the C19 Road to Homa Bay, it’s obvious to notice that the road is raised above ground. The land bordering the highway tends to flood during the rains, passing through a low-lying almost level delta region adjacent to Lake Victoria.

A short hop from Pap Onditi along the slight dip slope, Sondu Miriu Hydro Station offers memorable views for first-timers to this area. A technological contrivance carrying through the symbiotic parallel of man and machine, in a bucolic setting. Presently, the introductory views of Lake Victoria and a glimpse of the local fishing boats occupy the scene, before arriving at Kendu Bay. At first glance Kendu Bay has little to commend it, being little more than an administrative station. A closer inspection reveals the population here is dominated by Muslims and Christians.

Rather remarkably, Muslims and Christians, almost in equal parts, have coexisted in Kendu Bay for well over a century – since the arrival of Arab traders and SDA missionaries in the early 1900’s. A lesson in religious tolerance! They live, work, and enjoy life together, always embracing each other’s religious traditions and celebrations. Places of worship are respected, freedom of worship accorded and lives and property protected. There are no less than ten mosque in the town.

The momentus SDA Gendia Church is within a stone’s throw from town. This is the birthplace of SDA church in Kenya. It goes a long way that most residents are homogeneously Luo but, the amiable relations, always showing goodwill to each other, cannot be disregarded. An upshot of this cooperation, often sold short, is that the Obama’s are originally from Kendu Bay, which partly explains Barack Hussein Obama’s perceived links to Islam. This the birthplace of his father Barack Obama Sr. (later raised in Alego) and his grandfather Hussein Onyango Obama.

It is only 31 km from Kendu Bay to Homa Bay, its largest and capital town. Shortly before entering the central business district, one may be interested in visiting the Homa Bay Tourist Hotel or ACK Guest House to enjoy views of the lake, especially at sunset. C19 Ahero-Kendu Bay-Homa Bay Road is the key line of communication in Homa Bay County and from Homa Bay town it continues westerly, passing the turnoff to Mbita and Rusinga Island en-route Ruma National Park 31 km away.

Beyond Ruma National Park, sited below Gwassi Hills on the Lambwe Valley, the C19 Road makes a wide curve from Magunga to Karungu, from where it begins to double-back east, passing through Ndhiwa, Rodi Kopany, Rangwe, Oyugis and Ringa, before terminating at Sondu, the most easterly point. From Sondu, it is 15 km north to Awach and 30 km to Ahero and A1 Nairobi-Kisumu-Kakamega Road.

The principal line of communication from Nairobi city to Homa Bay is the A104 Nairobi–Malaba international trunk highway for 211 km to Mau Summit. Here you leave A104 Road on the great procession to western Kenya, using either B1 Mau Summit-Kisumu Road or C35 Mau Summit-Londiani-Fort Tenan-Awasi Road to Awasi, 91 km away. The latter, C35 Road, is less busy, unaffected by the notoriety of long haul cargo trucks and public transport vehicles. It is more scenic, too.

From Ahero onto the C19 Katito-Homa Bay Road the drive is hussle free, relaxed, and for the most part enjoyable. It is 84 km from Ahero to Homa Bay. If the above was not sufficient, the driver from Nairobi can take the alternative B3 Mai Mahiu-Narok-Bomet-Sotik Road, which gets you to Sondu town in 302 km. From here, motorists can take either the C26 Sondu-Oyugis Road, then proceed on with it to Kendu Bay, or drive up via the A1 to Katito and take the C19 Road to Homa Bay.

Salient Features of Homabay County

County Number 43
Area – 3183 km2
Altitude – 1293 ft
Major Towns – Kendu Bay, Homa Bay, Ndhiwa
Borders – Kisumu, Nyamira, Kericho, Kisii, Migori

Located in the western Kenya, bordering Lake Victoria, Homa Bay County is known for its scenic landscapes, extensive lakeshore, and vibrant community life. It also offers a rich blend of cultural and historical attractions. Touring Homa Bay County allows you to immerse yourself in a part of Kenya’s natural beauty, cultural diversity, and immersive historical heritage that rarely gets under the limelight.

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Explore Destinations in Homa Bay County

A Guide to Homa Bay County

A Summa Digest of Homa Bay

About Homa Bay Way Back When

48 Destinations in Homa Bay County, arranged as one would visit these - southeast, north then west - with aid of narratives, strip maps and distance chart:

Sondu Miriu Hydro Station, Old Kendu Bay Town, Olmak Beah Resort, Kendu Adventist Gendia, Lake Simbi Nyaima, Ondago Swamp National Sanctuary, Kisindi Lodge and Spa, Homa Hills, Abundu Hot Springs, Bala Lawi Hot Springs, Kanjera Prehistoric Site, Kanam Prehistoric Site, Asego and Kasarua Hills, Homa Bay Town, Asumbi Catholic Church, Asumbi Resort, Kodera Forest, Ruri Hills, Soklo Kipenji, BJs Ranch, Mbita Point, Victoria Sands Lodge, Gembe Hills, Mbita Ferry, Rusinga Island, Rusinga Island Lodge, Tom Mboya Mausoleum, White Stone Beach Resort, Rusinga Island Festival, Ngodhe Island, Kasawanga Village, Mfangano Island, Mfangano Island Lodge, Mawanga Rock Art, Kwitone Rock Art, Abasuba Peace Museum, Siambi Resort, Takawiri Island, Ringiti Island, Mbasa Islands, Gwassi Hills, Lambwe Valley, Ruma National Park, KWS Obiri Guest House, Kanyamwa Escarpment, Nyamugondho Shrine, Gor Mahia Shrine

Know More About Homa Bay County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Lay Of The Land In C.43?

Homa Bay is split into two main eco-zones; lakeshore lowlands and upland plateau. The lakeshore lowlands lie between 1,163 and 1,219 ms, with a long stretch bordering Lake Victoria along the north.

What’s The Air Like In Homabay?

Homa Bay has an inland equatorial climate pattern modified by altitude, and Lake Victoria. Temperature ranges from 18^oC to 33^oC, with the warmest months being between December and March. February is usually the hottest month of the year.