Exploring the Rich History of Kisumu County: A Journey Through Time
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- December 23, 2023
Kisumu, a city in western Kenya that lies on the shores of Lake Victoria, is the third-largest city in Kenya and the capital of Kisumu County. Kisumu has a rich and diverse history that spans from pre-colonial times to the present day.
In this story, we will take you on a journey through time and explore some of the historical landmarks, events, and personalities that shaped Kisumu’s past and present.
Pre-colonial Kisumu
Before the arrival of Europeans, Kisumu was inhabited by various ethnic groups, such as the Luo, Nandi, Maasai, and Abagusii. The Luo were the dominant group in the region and called the area “Kisumo/Kisuma“, meaning “the place of trade“. The Luo migrated to the area from South Sudan around the 15th century and established a complex political and social system based on clans, lineages, and age-sets. They also engaged in fishing, farming, trade, and warfare with their neighbors.
The Nandi were another influential group in the region who migrated from the Rift Valley around the 16th century. They were fierce warriors who resisted colonial intrusion and expansion for many years. The Nandi called Kisumu “Chemelil”, meaning “the place of salt”, because of the salt deposits found near the lake. The Nandi traded salt, cattle, and ivory with other communities and also raided them for livestock and slaves.
The Maasai and Abagusii were other groups who occasionally interacted with Kisumu. The Maasai were nomadic pastoralists who moved across the region in search of pasture and water for their cattle. They also raided other communities for cattle and women. The Abagusii were agriculturalists who lived in the highlands south of Kisumu. They traded crops, pottery, and iron tools with other groups and also practiced circumcision as a rite of passage.
Colonial Kisumu
The first European to visit Kisumu was John Hanning Speke, a British explorer who reached the shores of Lake Victoria in 1858. He named the lake after Queen Victoria and claimed it as the source of the Nile River. Speke was followed by other explorers, missionaries, traders, and colonialists who sought to exploit the resources and people of Kisumu.
In 1898, the British built a railway line from Mombasa to Kisumu as part of their imperial project to link their East African territories with Uganda and Sudan. The railway brought economic development, migration, and cultural exchange to Kisumu. It also brought diseases, environmental degradation, and social disruption. The railway station in Kisumu became a hub of activity and commerce, attracting people from different ethnicities, religions, and backgrounds.
The British also established a colonial administration in Kisumu and imposed their laws, taxes, and policies on the local population. They divided the land into reserves for Africans and settler farms for Europeans. They also introduced cash crops such as cotton, coffee, tea, and sugar cane. They exploited the labor of Africans through forced labor, low wages, and harsh working conditions. They also suppressed any resistance or dissent from Africans through violence, imprisonment, and deportation.
Independence and Post-colonial Kisumu
Kisumu played a significant role in Kenya’s struggle for independence from British colonial rule. Many prominent nationalists and freedom fighters came from or operated in Kisumu, such as Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, Tom Mboya, Achieng Oneko, Ramogi Achieng Oneko, among others.
Kisumu was also the scene of some of the most brutal massacres during the Mau Mau rebellion in the 1950s. The British forces killed thousands of suspected rebels and sympathizers in Kisumu and its environs. They also burned villages, confiscated livestock, and displaced people from their homes.
Russia Hospital (Now Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching & Referral Hospital, JOOTRH)
After Kenya gained independence in 1963, Kisumu became a provincial capital and a major urban center. It experienced rapid growth in population, infrastructure, and services. It also became a political hotspot as it was the stronghold of Odinga’s Kenya People’s Union (KPU), which opposed Kenyatta’s Kenya African National Union (KANU).
In 1969, Kisumu witnessed one of the worst political clashes in Kenya’s history when Kenyatta visited the city to open a hospital named after Russia. His supporters clashed with Odinga’s supporters, resulting in dozens of deaths and injuries.
Kisumu continued to face political turmoil in the post-independence era as it suffered from marginalization, neglect, and repression by successive governments. It also faced economic challenges such as unemployment, poverty, and inequality. It also faced social challenges such as ethnic tensions, crime, and violence.
Despite these challenges, Kisumu also witnessed some positive developments in the post-independence era. It became a center of education, culture, and tourism. It also became a hub of innovation, entrepreneurship, and activism. It also became a source of inspiration, resilience, and hope for many Kenyans.
In concluding, Kisumu is a city with a rich and diverse history that reflects the history of Kenya and Africa. It is a city that has endured many hardships and triumphs. It is a city that has contributed to the nation’s development and democracy. It is a city that has a lot to offer and a lot to learn from. It is a city that deserves recognition and respect. It is a city that I am proud to call home.
