Kakamega county is located in the former Western Province. Its capital and largest town is Kakamega.
When the name Kakamega is mentioned, what comes to mind? The Crying Stone, I imagine. Many of us are familiar with it and it is only found in Kakamega county.
Apart from the crying stone, the county has a very rich forest, the Kakamega Forest Reserve, found in Shinyalu. It is an equatorial rain forest that is famous globally. This is so because of its different varieties of birds and insects in the forest.
Apart from the diverse birds and insects, there are a variety of indigenous trees as well as species of different animals and bird life.
The reserve is home to a number of snake species and monkeys. The forest is home to a large number of wildlife and many tourists both local and foreign tour the place.
Great investment opportunities exist in the county especially on the tourism sector. The county has a shortage of accommodation facilities where tourists can check in whenever they visit the forest.
Most of the tourists are forced to book into hotels in Kisumu, which is a bit far from Kakamega. Carefully sited small upmarket accommodation facilities need to be put up across the county. Special interest groups that frequently visit the forest include researchers, bird watchers and back packers.
Tour vans are also needed and tour guides. This will mean that one invests in having a number of tour facilities that will be used by the tourists when visiting the area. Such investment will not only benefit the investor but also the county’s economy will improve.
Employment opportunities will be opened for residents who will be employed to work in the hotels and as tour guides.
Roads leading to the reserve need to be improved thus getting tenders from the county government to take over the work. Good roads will encourage more tourists to visit the place since it will be easily accessible.
Article by Vera Shawiza.