Kisumu

Kisumu is a port city in western Kenya; located on a bay on the eastern shore of Lake Victoria at an altitude of 1,131 m (3,711 ft). It is the headquarters of Kisumu County and after Kampala and the second largest city in the Lake Victoria basin.

Kisumu Halal Travel Guide

The city was founded by the British as "Port Florence" in 1901 as a stop on the railway between Mombasa and Uganda. A year later and the city was renamed Kisumu, from a Luo word meaning "market, trading place".

In 2006, Kisumu was designated one of Africa's 11 'Millenium Cities' by the United Nations Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).

How is the Climate in Kisumu

Kisumu enjoys a tropical savanna climate. The lowest temperatures (about 12°C at night and 17°C to 19°C by day) occur in August and September. The highest daytime temperatures can reach 37°C in the warm season (December to April).

The rain season is from March to May. A secondary rain season occurs in November and December. The dryest month is January.

Travel to Kisumu

Buy a Flight ticket to and from Kisumu

|type=Airport Kisumu International Airport GPS , is served by daily Flights from Nairobi.
Kenya Airways has five daily Flights to the capital Nairobi, Kenya Airways]. The flight lasts about 45 minutes and takes you above lakes Naivasha and Nakuru.
Jambojet is a low-cost airline that has Flights from Kisumu to Nairobi.
Fly540 also operates direct connecting Flights from Nairobi.
Silverstone Air Low-cost airline which has direct connecting Flights from Kisumu to Wilson Airport in Nairobi and Mombasa.

The airport is about 3.5 kilometers from the city. A few taxis and Kenya#By matatu|matatu shuttle vanes do the journey between the airport and the city. In 2023, a matatu cost about Ksh 50 and a taxi cost Ksh 500-1000 KSH. Some hotels and automobile rental services can arrange pickups. Jambojet has a bus to and from Kisumu airport.

Book a Halal Cruise or Boat Tour in Kisumu

There are no ferries linking Kisumu with other cities on Lake Victoria.

By Rail

As of 2022, all train service to Kisumu is suspended. In a few years time and the new standard gauge railway is expected to be operational.

By bus & minivan

Easy Coach: Buses arrive at United Mall and Bank Road Behide the KPLC office and the ticket office is also located there. Easy Coach has 7 trips per day from Nairobi (Ksh 1400, 8 hours). Easy Coach also has two buses a day from Jinja and Kampala (Ksh 1500, 5/7 hours). There are also three departures daily from Mbale.
Modern Coast Express (Gumbi Road Kisumu bus park) has buses six times a day from Nairobi (from Ksh 1000). Modern Coast also have three buses a day from Kampala (Ksh 1600) with a stop in Busia. Note that Modern Coach has more than one bus stop in town; travelers are encouraged to confirm the exact location in advance, and allow extra time in case of last-minutes changes.
In Nairobi, some buses depart from the Country Bus Station near Wakulima Market, between Pumwani Road and Landheis Road. Easy Bus departs from their own bus station on Haile Selassie Avenue in Nairobi, near Nairobi Train Station.
Prestige Shuttle has 11-seat vans from Nairobi via Nakuru from 7AM Monday - 5PM (Ksh 1000, 6 hours).
The Guardian Coach has service from Nairobi.
There are also minivans from Kisii, Kericho, and Eldoret.

By car

Make sure to have an international driving licence. You can obtain one from the Road Transport Office in Nairobi. Travelling by day is recommended as the roads can be unsafe at night. You may encounter police stops.

From Nairobi and the distance is about 380 km. Take Chimoro Road towards Gitaru and then turn onto A104 (Waiyaki Way) past Naivasha and Nakuru. About 30 kilometers past Nakuru, turn left onto B1 towards Kisumu. The trip can take from 5 to 12 hours depending on whether you want to stop and observe Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha and Kericho.
from Kisumu to the Uganda border at Busia is 119 km.
from Kisumu to Jinja Uganda is 237 km.
from Kisumu to Nakuru is 197 km.
from Kisumu to Kisii is 120 km.
from Kisumu to Kitale is 158 km.
from Kisuma to Kericho is 90 km.

How to get around in Kisumu

Kisumu is a small town with lots to see. You can use the notorious boda boda (bicycle taxi), pikipiki (motorcycle taxis), Kenya#By matatu|matatus, buses, or you can rent a car.

What to see in Kisumu

In Kisumu

Kibuye Market -0.093332, 34.768446 - This is the second largest open air market in Kenya, and one of the oldest. It is on Jomo Kenyatta Highway, north-east of the downtown, about 1.5 kilometers from the long distance bus stop. The market is active day and night every day.

Kisumu Museum - Nairobi Road -0.107615, 34.762693
Impala sanctuary -0.162172, 34.609586 in the south-west, on the lake shore

Town Clock Oginga Odinga Road -0.099648, 34.750840
Kiboko point At the south end of the impala sanctuary

Near Kisumu

The Equator - Kisumu is a few kilometers south of the Equator and you can easily reach the equator by car. Drive north on A1 towards Kakamega and you'll cross the Equator near the village of Mutet, or drive on B1 towards Busia to the small town Maseno.

Kit Mikayi rocks -0.116936, 34.540706 29km from Kisumu, near road C27 towards Bondo

Top Muslim Travel Tips for Kisumu

Fishing - Kisumu is a very good starting spot for fishing expeditions on the lake.

Golf - There is a golf course in the Nyanza Club, near the lake, close to the airport. The club has a swimming swimmingpool and a tennis court.

Ochieng Ave - The national library has books in English, Swahili and Luo.

Muslim Friendly Shopping in Kisumu

Many local crafts can make good souvenirs.

Musical instruments such as nyatiti and orutu, typical of the Luo's musical culture.
Soapstone objects. The historical center of soapstone crafts is in Kisii, about 100 kilometers south of Kisumu.
Objects woven from sisal (such as kiondo handbags), papyrus or water hyacinth. Loincloths: vikoi (singular kikoi) for men, kanha for women.Batik (paintings on textile).
Household wood items.

Kibuye Market
Kisumu Craft Stalls in the Kisumu Municipal Market on Nairobi Road - Soapstone objects.

Kisumu Main Market Jomo Kenyatta Highway - This market specializes in textile (kikoi, kanga, batik).

Pendeza Weaving - on Nairobi Road, 3km from the town center ☎ +254 735 229904, +254 734 587253 (mobile) - Another textile market.

Currency exchange

Most banks in town offer currency exchange between Kenyan Shillings and major international currencies. You may have a harder time buying or selling Ugandan shillings, despite the proximity to the border crossing.

DTB's /branches/west-end-mall-branch/ branch in the West End shopping center offers currency exchange and other banking services and is open 7 days a week. A passport is required.

Banks ATMs

Ecobank United Mall Joma Kenyatta Highway Opening Hours: 24 hours no fee Has a Mastercard/Visa card ATM.

Equity Bank Opening Hours: 24 hours no fee Has a Mastercard/Visa card ATM.

Malls & supermarkets

Naivas Supermarket - Jomo Kenyatta Road Opening Hours: 8AM Monday - 9PM
West End Shopping Mall Got Huma Road Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 8PM
United Mall Jomo Kenyatta Highway Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 8PM Has a Tuskys Supermarket with selected Halal food. Easy Coach departs from here going to Uganda and Nairobi.

Choppies Supermarkets - Oginga Odinga Road Opening Hours: 8AM Monday - 8PM Five branches in Kisumu. Owned by Choppies supermarkets Botswana.

Khetias Supermarket - Opening Hours: 8AM Monday - 9PM lower prices
Lake Basin Shopping Mall Kisumu-Vihiga Road Opening Hours: 9AM Monday - 8PM Biggest shopping mall in Kisumu. Five floors, 140 stores, and a vehicle park for 335 cars.

Halal Food & Restaurants

Aside from the town centre there are a number of places to eat and drink in the evenings in the Kondele region on Kibos Road and on Jomo Kenyatta Highway with guest houses close by.

Florence Restaurant Jomo Kenyatta Highway☎ +254 57 2022211 - Local and international cuisine. One of the best classical restaurants.

Lakeside Meeting Point Oginga Odinga Road - Local and international cuisine from fresh produce.

Monday Ami Mega Plaza on Oginga Odinga Road - Italian and international cuisine.

Hussein Pan House Accra Street - Indian cuisine.

Oriental Restaurant Al-Imran Plaza - Chinese cuisine.

Kimwa Cafe Ogada Street - Local cuisine from fresh ingredients.

Kisumu Yacht Club in the Dunga neighborhood, between the impala sanctuary and Kiboko Bay Resort - Local and international cuisine. You must have a member card from the club (temporary cards are available).

Aside from the town centre there are a number of places to eat and drink in the evenings in the Kondele region on Kibos Road and on Jomo Kenyatta Highway with guest houses close by.

Sleep

Kisumu has a number of hotels, hotels, motels, hostels, all dependent on your needs and budget. It is common for hotels and bed and breakfast lodging to be called a guest house in Kisumu Kenya. They are the most common and best value places to stay — hotels seem to ramp up their prices just because they are a hotel — beware.

London Guest House | 1 Kibos Road ☎ +254 736 531205 from Ksh 1,100 Said to be the best-value lodging in the city. Mosquito nets are provided and a lovely outdoor but surrounded yard with tables and to sit and chat. They also provide breakfast. Single/double rooms. Has its own power generator. Has 25 rooms. Has Wi-Fi.

Mountain View Resorts - Mamboleo suburbs, 10 minutes' drive from the downtown ☎ +254 772511527 from Ksh 1000 per person Affordable single/double rooms with own bathroom. decent and rather pleasant lodging. Stay 4 days and get one day free.

Sooper Guest House Oginga Odinga RdAt the intersection of Oginga Odinga Road with Kendu Lane. Ksh 1200/1500 Very clean, hot showers, mosquito nets and window screens, TV with satellite, a beautiful roof top terrace with lake view. Seems to be the only affordable place in town that has free Wi-Fi, even in the rooms. Has 34 single and double rooms. Breakfast costs Ksh 200 per person.

Lakeside Guesthouse Kendu Ln opposite lake view hotel short walk from minoki building Opposite of Lake View Hotel, about 30m from corner with Oginga Odinga Rd. ☎ +254 729553066 Checkout: 10:00 Ksh 1200/1500 Single/double with own bathroom and dstv. Clean place with a Spectacular view of the lake. Total of 22 rooms. Good security and you can lock the room with your own padlock. Clean large mosquito nets, clean bathroom, hot water instant showers in all rooms. Breakfast costs Ksh 150 per person, free Wi-Fi in all rooms.

Kisumu Backpacker Hostel Winam Plaza 43 Milimani☎ +254-704316285 Check-in: 12:00 / Check-out: 12:00 Ksh 1200/3000 Has a 5-bed dorm and two double rooms.

Joy Guest house 3 kilometers south of town near Hippo points turn off ☎ +254-720-272037 Ksh 1000
YWCA hostel Angawa Avenue☎ +254 57-2024788 Dorm bed Ksh 450 per person Five dorms with 8 beds per dorm. Has to be the most low cost place to stay in Kisumu.

Jumuia Guest house Lumumba Road Single/double rooms

Street Anna Guest House | url - Millimani Tom Mboya St☎ +254 57-2024792 | fax Double Ksh 1900 Has 35 single and double rooms

New Razbi Guest house Kendu Ln next to Sooper Guest house ☎ +254 721824349 Ksh 1200 Single/double rooms. Hot water bathrooms. Has a TV lounge. Some rooms out side bathrooms.

New East View hotel Omolo Agar Road ☎ +254 722556721 Ksh 1200 Single room.

Phaldomar Guest house Kenya re Road ☎ +254 723053026 from Ksh 1200/1600 Single/double rooms with own bathroom.

Lake View Alego street☎ +254 721-778287 Ksh 1500 Single/double rooms with own hot water bathrooms and nets

New Victoria Gar Mahia Road ☎ +254 57-2021067 Ksh 1100 Single room with outside bathrooms

Mirukas Lodge Apindi Street☎ +254 727233887 Ksh 1200 Single/double rooms with hot water bathrooms.

Hacienda Guest House - The Hacienda - Migosi, Kenya Re Road, Green View Stage Route 44 Kondele - Kenya Re Road ☎ +254 722965472, +254 721266716 Checkout: 10:00 Ksh 1500-2000 A small guest house of 5 rooms. Wall fence with 24 hours security. Very neat and quite.

Stay Safe

Kisumu is less stressful than Nairobi or Mombasa. However pickpockets are common, especially around Kibuye Market. If you are driving, you should lock the vehicle doors.

All public buildings (airport, post office, banks, shopping centers, etc.) are watched by security guards wearing a blue uniform. Private estates are generally guarded as well.

'Kisumu police' :

☎ (20 is the national prefix for police forces)

+254 20 465767 (provincial headquarters);
+254 20 333151 (Kisumu division)

There are police stations all over the city and policemen are clearly visible. The headquarters are located on Nairobi Road near the long distance bus terminal.

Telecommunications in Kisumu

Cybercafes

Aguch Kisumo Public Information Resource Center Jomo Kenyatta stadium ☎ +254 57 2021060, +254 723 201779 Opening Hours: 07:00-21:00 Ksh 0.50 per minute

Bhavniks Cyber Mega Plaza, ground floor☎ +254 57 23395 Opening Hours: 08:30-20:30 Ksh 1 per minute

Noble Service Enterprises Mega Plaza, ground floor☎ +254 57 2022994, +254 722 370473 Opening Hours: 08:00-19:00 Ksh 1 per minutes (minimum Ksh 5)

Telephone

All cybercafes have phone booths. The rates to phone abroad are very high in Kenya. It is usually cheaper to buy a Kenyan SIM card in a cybercafe or from a phone vendor.

The main cellphone operators are Safaricom, Airtel and telkom . Safaricom has slightly higher prices but has faster Internet.

News & References Kisumu

Travel Next

Kakamega Rainforest: the last remains of tropical rainforest in Kenya
Jinja, Uganda
Mwanza, Tanzania
Nairobi