Nairobi. Your journey starts here, at the capital city of Kenya. Driving
to Kisumu on this route takes about 7 hours by bus and around 5 hours
by car. It could take less time if the entire road was in its best
condition.
Limuru. A small agricultural town about 22 kilometres from Nairobi. The area, which can get very cold, has temperate climatic conditions that favour the growth of sub-tropical fruits such as plums, pears, and apples. Conditions can also get foggy in the early morning and caution is necessary when driving through.
Naivasha. Located about 80 kilometres from Nairobi, the town is found on the floor of the Great Rift Valley and is a popular weekend getaway for Nairobi residents. Along the road you will be met by hawkers selling yoghurt from the nearby Delamare farm. There are many hotels and restaurants around and you may want to have your lunch here.
Gilgil. Although you don't go through the small, dusty town itself, it is not too far from the Nakuru Highway. A weighbridge serving heavy commercial vehicles is found in the area. Mining of fluorspar goes on in the vicinity. You may also wish to buy oranges from the many hawkers here.
Nakuru. A big town, the fourth largest in Kenya. Located about 160 kilometres from Nairobi, this is approximately the mid point of our journey. Most public service vehicles headed to western Kenya make a stopover here for passengers to refresh. A lot goes on in Nakuru - hotels and tourism, universities, industry, etc.
Mau Summit. Located not far from the Molo area, this is a small market town at the junction leading towards Eldoret. Here you turn into the Kericho Highway. Not much is to be found in the surrounding area except a lot of forest.
Londiani. A small market town found somewhere between Mau Summit and Kericho. You will encounter eager hawkers selling fresh farm produce such as roasted maize, cabbages, tomatoes, and potatoes. From here the government may be constructing a road through Fort Ternan to Muhoroni. This will shorten the Kisumu journey by avoiding the leg via Kericho.
Kericho. A prosperous agricultural town at the heart of the White Highlands of the colonial era. Located about 260 kilometres from Nairobi, it is surrounded by vast tea plantations. The place can get very cold and I have witnessed hailstones during a rain storm. If using private means, a stopover for a cup of tea would be a good idea.
Awasi. Found in the Lake Basin region, this small market town is situated in what appears to be an extensive sugar plantation zone. It also serves as a truck stopover. Not much to do here but the surrounding scenery is worth the while.
Ahero. Located about 20 kilometres from Kisumu, this is a small but very busy town. The River Nyando, one of Lake Victoria's tributaries, passes by the Centre. The waters of the Nyando are used to irrigate the rice paddies of Ahero and the wider Kano Plains. Naturally, hawkers selling rice will come your way.
Kisumu. Kenya's third largest town, and a city in its own right, is located about 350 kilometres from Nairobi. Its strategic location on the shores of Lake Victoria has given it prominence in western Kenya. Hotels and universities abound here as do many other ammenities found in a place like Nairobi. Fish is a delicacy found in abundant supply. Green maize is also to be found more or less all year round. The climate, though, is rather hot, and it can get quite uncomfortable. Visitors also need to take the necessary precautions as this is a malaria-prone zone.
Limuru. A small agricultural town about 22 kilometres from Nairobi. The area, which can get very cold, has temperate climatic conditions that favour the growth of sub-tropical fruits such as plums, pears, and apples. Conditions can also get foggy in the early morning and caution is necessary when driving through.
ReplyDeleteNaivasha. Located about 80 kilometres from Nairobi, the town is found on the floor of the Great Rift Valley and is a popular weekend getaway for Nairobi residents. Along the road you will be met by hawkers selling yoghurt from the nearby Delamare farm. There are many hotels and restaurants around and you may want to have your lunch here.
ReplyDeleteGilgil. Although you don't go through the small, dusty town itself, it is not too far from the Nakuru Highway. A weighbridge serving heavy commercial vehicles is found in the area. Mining of fluorspar goes on in the vicinity. You may also wish to buy oranges from the many hawkers here.
ReplyDeleteNakuru. A big town, the fourth largest in Kenya. Located about 160 kilometres from Nairobi, this is approximately the mid point of our journey. Most public service vehicles headed to western Kenya make a stopover here for passengers to refresh. A lot goes on in Nakuru - hotels and tourism, universities, industry, etc.
ReplyDeleteMau Summit. Located not far from the Molo area, this is a small market town at the junction leading towards Eldoret. Here you turn into the Kericho Highway. Not much is to be found in the surrounding area except a lot of forest.
ReplyDeleteLondiani. A small market town found somewhere between Mau Summit and Kericho. You will encounter eager hawkers selling fresh farm produce such as roasted maize, cabbages, tomatoes, and potatoes. From here the government may be constructing a road through Fort Ternan to Muhoroni. This will shorten the Kisumu journey by avoiding the leg via Kericho.
ReplyDeleteKericho. A prosperous agricultural town at the heart of the White Highlands of the colonial era. Located about 260 kilometres from Nairobi, it is surrounded by vast tea plantations. The place can get very cold and I have witnessed hailstones during a rain storm. If using private means, a stopover for a cup of tea would be a good idea.
ReplyDeleteAwasi. Found in the Lake Basin region, this small market town is situated in what appears to be an extensive sugar plantation zone. It also serves as a truck stopover. Not much to do here but the surrounding scenery is worth the while.
ReplyDeleteAhero. Located about 20 kilometres from Kisumu, this is a small but very busy town. The River Nyando, one of Lake Victoria's tributaries, passes by the Centre. The waters of the Nyando are used to irrigate the rice paddies of Ahero and the wider Kano Plains. Naturally, hawkers selling rice will come your way.
ReplyDeleteKisumu. Kenya's third largest town, and a city in its own right, is located about 350 kilometres from Nairobi. Its strategic location on the shores of Lake Victoria has given it prominence in western Kenya. Hotels and universities abound here as do many other ammenities found in a place like Nairobi. Fish is a delicacy found in abundant supply. Green maize is also to be found more or less all year round. The climate, though, is rather hot, and it can get quite uncomfortable. Visitors also need to take the necessary precautions as this is a malaria-prone zone.
ReplyDelete