The Railway
first reached Port Florence (old name of Kisumu) in 1901. It had cost the
British Government a princely sum of around £5 million. The service actually
started in 1903. At one time in the Sixties the Asian population was higher
than the local people. Kisumu also had 1 of the only 2 dairies in the whole of
Commonwealth which were run by the local council at the time, which ensured the
quality of milk supplied from door to door on the basis of coupons, purchased
at the time from the Town Hall!
Today Kisumu is Kenya's third largest city, with a population of around 160,000. It is situated on the north tip of Winam gulf, which in itself is part of Kavirondo Gulf of Lake Victoria. Kisumu at one time was the major port of Lake Victoria during the commonwealth of East Africa. Since the breakup of the community, Kisumu's importance has declined. Ships, such as the majestic RMV Victoria, were built here at the time.
IT IS MATTER OF
PRIDE TO REPORT THAT THE MANY NEGATIVE ASPECTS SUCH AS POTHOLES, SECURITY, HAVE
IMPROVED CONSIDERABLY AND DRASTIC STEPS ARE NOW BEING TAKEN BY THE TOWN COUNCIL
TO SUPPLY CLEAN WATER ON TAP TO THE RESIDENTS OF KISUMU. Please check out the
latest video from Kisumu (to be posted soon!)
Thee have also
been significant developments in Kisumu such as the Kisumu Museum now well
known throughout the world for its fine collections on native Luo culture and
the local wildlife.
The old market
is still running strongly. On the outskirts of town, attractions range from
Hippo Point, at Dunga, just south west of Kisumu, known for its hippopotami and
occasional crocodile and not forgetting the loveliest sunset on the lake, to
Jamhuri Gardens with lovely grounds for strolling and studying indigenous
plants and flowers.