Siaya County is county 041 of Kenya’s 47 counties, on the north-east shore of Lake Victoria in the former Nyanza Province. Its capital is Siaya town, and the 2019 census counted 993,183 residents on 2,496.1 km². The county takes in the Yala Swamp, the Ugenya plains and the Uyoma and Yimbo peninsulas.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Capital | Siaya town |
| County code | 041 |
| Population (2019 census) | 993,183 |
| Population (2023 projection) | 1,059,458 |
| Area | 2,496.1 km² |
| Former province | Nyanza |
| Sub-counties | 6 |
| Main languages | Dholuo, Swahili, English |
Towns and Villages in Siaya County
Siaya has no city. Its people live in beach villages along the lake, farm settlements on the plains, and a string of market towns on the Kisumu–Busia road. Bondo, Ugunja, Yala, Sega and Usenge are the busiest centres after Siaya town.
| Town | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Siaya | County capital | 33,153 (2019 census) |
| Bondo | Town | 22,712 (2019 census) |
| Usenge | Fishing port | 7,976 (estimate) |
| Ugunja | Town | 7,060 (estimate) |
| Sega | Town | 4,179 (estimate) |
| Ndori | Town | 3,770 (estimate) |
| Yala | Town | 3,237 (estimate) |
The gazetteer records 197 named settlements in Siaya County. All 197 are listed below.
- Abom
- Aduya
- Agulu
- Ajigo
- Akado
- Akala
- Akoko
- Ambira
- Anyieka
- Anyiko
- Anyuongi
- Aram
- Asembo
- Bar Kanyango
- Bar Olengo
- Baragulu
- Barding
- Barkalare
- Barkowino
- Boi
- Bondo
- Boro
- Bulungo
- Busonga
- Chianda
- Dienya
- Ebukambuli
- Ebukoolo
- Gagra
- Gobei
- Gombe
- Gor Abiero
- Got Agulu
- Got Kopolo
- Goye
- Hono
- Jera
- Jina
- Jusa
- Kadengi
- Kadimu
- Kagilo
- Kagwa
- Kalandini
- Kambare
- Kandaria
- Kanyibok
- Kapiyo
- Karadolo
- Kaudha
- Kawundi
- Kerebi
- Kodiaga
- Kogoe
- Kokise
- Kongao
- Kowe
- Kurindo
- Lieta
- Luero
- Lusi
- Lwak
- Lwala
- Lweya
- Madiany
- Madunda
- Mahaya
- Majengo
- Majiwa
- Malanga
- Malele
- Maliera
- Manywanda
- Maranda
- Marsala
- Matangwe
- Mbaga
- Mbeka
- Memba
- Migoko
- Miruka
- Mitiro
- Miyare
- Muhanda
- Mumbo
- Muweri
- Nango
- Naya
- Ndegwe
- Ndenga
- Ndere
- Ndigwa
- Ndira
- Ndori
- Nduru
- Ngiya
- Nyabeda
- Nyabenge
- Nyabera
- Nyadhi
- Nyadorera
- Nyagoko
- Nyagondo
- Nyagunda
- Nyajuok
- Nyakongo
- Nyalenya
- Nyalunga
- Nyamira
- Nyamninia
- Nyamonye
- Nyamosore
- Nyangera
- Nyangoma
- Nyangweso
- Nyang’oma
- Nyapiedho
- Nyawara
- Nyawita
- Nyhgoma
- Nyilima
- Nzoia
- Oboch
- Ochienga
- Odiado
- Ogare
- Olawa
- Orengo
- Othach
- Othoche
- Owimbi
- Pala
- Pap Godero
- Pith Dero
- Port Southby
- Rachar
- Ragoum
- Rakombe
- Ralak
- Ralingu
- Ramba
- Rambugi
- Rambula
- Ramogi
- Ramula
- Ranalo
- Rangala
- Rapiew
- Rarieda
- Regengni
- Regeya
- Rongo
- Ruma
- Rwambwa
- Saradidi
- Saradindi
- Saranga
- Sega
- Segere
- Siamufua
- Siaya
- Sidindi
- Sidok
- Sifuyu
- Siger
- Sigomere
- Sinaga
- Sinyanya
- Ugunja
- Uholo
- Ujwanga
- Ukwala
- Ulawi
- Uloma
- Uludu
- Ulumbi
- Umala
- Uranga
- Uriri
- Usenge
- Usigu
- Usingo
- Usire
- Uwai
- Uyawi
- Uyoma
- Wagai
- Wagusu
- Wagwer
- Wambara
- Wangarot
- Waringa
- Wayaga
- Wera
- Yala
- Yimbo
- Yimbo East
Geography
The county runs from the Winam Gulf west to the open lake, at 1,140 to 1,400 metres above sea level. The Yala and Nzoia rivers cross it and drain into the Yala Swamp, a wetland of about 175 km² behind Lake Kanyaboli.
Got Ramogi, a hill in Yimbo, is the landmark of the west and a site of Luo settlement history. Rainfall runs 800 to 1,800 mm a year, heaviest on the higher ground near Yala.
Siaya borders Busia County to the north, Kakamega County to the north-east, Vihiga County to the east and Kisumu County to the south-east. Homa Bay County lies opposite across the Winam Gulf.
Demographics
The 2019 census counted 993,183 people: 471,669 men, 521,496 women and 18 intersex residents. Density averages about 398 people per km².
Siaya is strongly rural. Only 85,417 residents were counted as urban, against 907,766 in the countryside. Dholuo is the community language; Swahili and English are used in schools, trade and government.
Economy and Local Life
Fishing and farming carry the county. Boats work out of Usenge, Osieko, Uhanya, Wichlum and Honge, landing Nile perch, tilapia and omena for markets as far as Nairobi.
Farms grow maize, sorghum, beans, cassava, groundnuts and sweet potato, with rice and horticulture on reclaimed land at the Yala Swamp edge. Cotton was once the main cash crop and is being revived. Bondo hosts Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology.
Getting There
The Kisumu–Busia highway crosses the county through Luanda, Ugunja and Ukwala, and branch roads run south to Siaya town, Bondo and the lake beaches. Kisumu is about 60 km from Siaya town.
Nairobi is roughly 410 km by road through Kisumu, Kericho and Nakuru. The nearest airport with scheduled flights is Kisumu International; lake boats connect Usenge with Mageta, Ringiti and the other island villages.
FAQ
What is the capital of Siaya County?
Siaya town, which had 33,153 residents in the 2019 census. It holds the county government offices and the main market.
How many towns and villages are in Siaya County?
Gazetteer data records 197 named settlements, from Siaya town and Bondo down to single-beach fishing villages. The full list appears above.
Which sub-counties make up Siaya County?
Six: Bondo, Gem, Rarieda, Siaya, Ugenya and Ugunja.
What is the Yala Swamp?
A wetland of about 175 km² where the Yala River meets Lake Victoria. It holds Lake Kanyaboli and supports fishing, papyrus harvesting and reclaimed farmland.
Which fish landing sites serve Siaya?
Usenge is the largest, with Osieko, Uhanya, Wichlum, Honge and Misori also working daily. Boats from Usenge serve the lake islands.
How far is Siaya from Kisumu?
About 60 km by road, an hour or so through Kombewa or Luanda depending on the route taken.