Homa Bay County is county 043 of Kenya’s 47 counties, on the southern shore of Lake Victoria in the former Nyanza Province. Its capital is Homa Bay town, and the 2019 census counted 1,131,950 residents on 3,154.7 km². The county takes in Rusinga and Mfangano islands and the only national park in the old Nyanza Province, Ruma.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Capital | Homa Bay town |
| County code | 043 |
| Population (2019 census) | 1,131,950 |
| Population (2023 projection) | 1,231,659 |
| Area | 3,154.7 km² |
| Former province | Nyanza |
| Sub-counties | 8 |
| Wards | 40 |
| Main languages | Dholuo, Swahili, English |
Towns and Villages in Homa Bay County
Settlement follows the lake and the ridge roads behind it. The main centres are Homa Bay town, Oyugis, Mbita, Kendu Bay, Ndhiwa, Rodi Kopany and Sindo. The rest of the county is beach villages and farm hamlets.
| Town | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Homa Bay | County capital | 44,949 (2019 census) |
| Oyugis | Town | 19,947 (2019 census) |
| Mbita | Town (lake port) | 14,916 (2019 census) |
| Sindo | Town | 10,286 (estimate) |
| Rodi | Town | 8,122 (estimate) |
| Kendu Bay | Town (lake port) | 6,064 (estimate) |
| Ndhiwa | Town | 4,762 (estimate) |
| Nyandiwa | Fishing centre | 4,033 (estimate) |
The gazetteer records 278 named settlements in Homa Bay County. The first 250 are listed below in alphabetical order.
- Abundu
- Achiero
- Adhiro
- Adiedo
- Akelo’s Village
- Alara
- Alara Lime
- Alaro
- Alego
- Aluli
- Amoya
- Andingo
- Andiwo’s Village
- Angino
- Anyona
- Asumbi
- Atela
- Awach Tende
- Awino
- Awundo’s Village
- Buoye
- Bware
- Disi
- Doho Karachuon
- East Kakangutu
- Farao
- Gamba
- Gendia
- Gina
- God Bondo
- God Bura
- God Jape
- God Keyo
- God Ngoche
- God Nyango
- God Ochieng
- God Oloo
- God Rabour
- Got Kojowi
- Got Kokech
- Gotoki
- Homa Bay
- Homa Lime Kowuor
- Huma Lime
- Imbo
- Jonyo
- Josephs
- Jwelu
- Kabok
- Kabondo
- Kachola
- Kadongo
- Kajie
- Kakdhimu
- Kakelo Ringa
- Kakiimba
- Kakrigu
- Kalanya
- Kamasegere
- Kamser
- Kanam
- Kandege
- Kandegwa
- Kanyadhiang
- Kanyamfwa
- Karabok
- Karabondi
- Kaswanga
- Kauma
- Kawiti
- Kendu Bay
- Kiabuya
- Kiahera
- Kiamere
- Kiangaie
- Kiangata
- Kiang’ongo
- Kibanga
- Kigoto
- Kiguwa
- Kisegi
- Kobila
- Kobodo
- Kodera Nyambare
- Kodhoch
- Koguta
- Kokwanyo
- Kolweny
- Kome
- Kondiegi
- Kotieno
- Kowidi
- Kowuor
- Koyo
- Kwandiku
- Kwayo
- Kwoyo
- Lala
- Lambwe
- Langi
- Lela
- Liera
- Lieta
- Ligisa
- Lo Rateng
- Lolwe
- Luanda
- Luora
- Lwaho
- Lwala
- Magare
- Magena
- Magina
- Magunga
- Maguta
- Maguti
- Maia
- Manyamanya
- Maranyona
- Marindi
- Mariwa
- Marucha
- Matiti
- Mawego
- Mbita
- Min Aloo
- Miraga
- Miramba
- Miriu
- Mirogi
- Mithui
- Moseja
- Mumbo
- Ndere
- Ndhiwa
- Ndiru
- Ndisi
- Ngege
- Ngere
- Ngeta
- Ngorome
- North Ruri
- Nyabondo
- Nyagowa
- Nyahera
- Nyakwadha
- Nyakwere
- Nyakweri
- Nyalenda
- Nyalkinyi
- Nyamanga
- Nyamasare
- Nyambija
- Nyamila
- Nyamuga
- Nyandiwa
- Nyangiela
- Nyangweso
- Nyangwethe
- Nyanrang
- Nyarongi
- Nyasore
- Nyatindo
- Nyawita
- Nyenga
- Nyombulu
- Nyowita
- Obado
- Obaluanda
- Obando
- Obanga
- Ober
- Obera
- Oboke
- Odienya
- Odoyo
- Ogama
- Ogande
- Ogango
- Ogilo
- Ojwade
- Okok
- Okota
- Olare
- Oluso
- Ombete
- Omboga
- Omoche
- Omoya
- Ondiek’s Village
- Ongalo
- Ongamo Dhoge
- Ongeng
- Ongoro
- Onjnyo
- Onya
- Oriang
- Oriang Manyuanda
- Oridi
- Oriwo
- Osani
- Osodo
- Osure
- Otange
- Otaro
- Othoro
- Ototo
- Owiro
- Oyugis
- Pala
- Ponge
- Pundo’s Village
- Rabango
- Rabondo
- Rabour
- Rabuor Kotieno
- Rachar
- Ragwe
- Rakwaro
- Ralang
- Ramba
- Rambusi
- Ramoya
- Ramula
- Rangwe
- Ran‘gi
- Rapedhi
- Rarage
- Ratang’a
- Ratiw
- Ratua
- Reru
- Riat
- Ringa
- Rodi
- Rongo
- Roo
- Rowo
- Ruga
- Samanga
- Samba Orinda
- Sangla
- Sango
- Saye
- Seka
- Sena
- Sero
- Sibur
- Sindo
- Sino
Geography
The county runs along about 200 km of lake shore, from the Winam Gulf south-west to the open water at Sindo. Inland the ground rises through the Lambwe Valley to the Gwassi and Gembe hills and the Kanyamwa escarpment.
The Homa Hills form a volcanic peninsula on the gulf. Rusinga and Mfangano are the two large inhabited islands, and Rusinga is reached by a causeway at Mbita. Rainfall runs 700 to 1,500 mm a year, and the lakeshore is hot and dry compared with the highlands inland.
Homa Bay borders Migori County to the south, Kisii County and Nyamira County to the east, and Kericho County and Kisumu County to the north-east. Siaya County lies opposite across the Winam Gulf.
Demographics
The 2019 census counted 1,131,950 people: 539,560 men, 592,367 women and 23 intersex residents. Density averages about 359 people per km².
The county is overwhelmingly rural, with 1,018,871 rural residents against 113,079 urban. Dholuo is the community language, with Suba still spoken on Mfangano, Rusinga and parts of the Gwassi shore. Swahili and English are used in schools and offices.
Economy and Local Life
Fishing is the biggest employer. Beaches at Mbita, Sindo, Nyandiwa, Kendu Bay, Sena and Remba land tilapia, Nile perch and omena. Cage fish farming has grown fast on the gulf.
Farms grow maize, sorghum, groundnuts, sweet potato, cotton and sugarcane, and the Lambwe Valley carries livestock. Ruma National Park protects Kenya’s only roan antelope population and draws steady visitor traffic. Homa Bay town holds the county offices and the largest market.
Getting There
The A1 highway clips the east of the county at Oyugis. From there the C19 runs west through Rodi Kopany to Homa Bay town, and roads continue to Mbita, Sindo and Ndhiwa.
Kisumu is about 105 km from Homa Bay town and Kisii about 60 km. Nairobi is roughly 400 km by road. Kabunde Airstrip serves charter flights, and lake boats link Mbita with Mfangano, Remba and Ringiti islands.
FAQ
What is the capital of Homa Bay County?
Homa Bay town, which had 44,949 residents in the 2019 census. It is the county headquarters and its main lake port.
How many towns and villages are in Homa Bay County?
Gazetteer data records 278 named settlements. The first 250 in alphabetical order are listed above.
Which sub-counties make up Homa Bay County?
Eight: Homa Bay, Ndhiwa, Rachuonyo East, Rachuonyo North, Rachuonyo South, Rangwe, Suba North and Suba South.
How do you get to Mfangano and Rusinga islands?
Rusinga is joined to the mainland by the Mbita causeway and reached by road. Mfangano is served by boats from Mbita and Sena.
What is Ruma National Park?
A 120 km² park in the Lambwe Valley, the only national park in the former Nyanza Province. It protects Kenya’s last roan antelope herd, plus Rothschild’s giraffe and oribi.
How far is Homa Bay from Kisumu?
About 105 km by road, roughly two hours through Kendu Bay or Oyugis.