Busia County should not be confused with Busia, Kenya.
| Official Name: | Busia County |
| Flag Size: | 120px |
| Settlement Type: | County |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: |  Kenya |
| Seat Type: | Capital and largest town |
| Seat: | Busia, Kenya |
| Established Title: | Formed |
| Established Date: | 4 March 2013 |
| Government Type: | devolved government |
| Leader Title: | Governor |
| Leader Name: | Paul Otuoma |
| Leader Title2: | Deputy Governor |
| Leader Title3: | Member of Kenyan senate |
| Leader Name3: | Okiya Omutatah |
| Leader Title4: | County commissioner |
| Leader Name4: | Jacob Narengo |
| Timezone: | EAT |
| Population Demonym: | Busian |
| Utc Offset: | +3 |
| Area Total Km2: | 1,628.4 |
| Population As Of: | 2019 |
| Population Total: | 893,681 |
| Population Footnotes: | [1] |
| Population Density Km2: | auto |
| Website: | busiacounty.go.ke |
| Base | |
Busia is a county in the former Western Province of Kenya. It is located directly east of the border town of Busia, Uganda, and borders Lake Victoria to the southwest, Siaya County to the southeast, and Bungoma County and Kakamega County to the east.[2] The county is composed of six sub-counties,[3] and had a population of 893,681 as of the most recent census in 2019.[4]
Beginning in 1994, Busia became an epicenter of economic research as the location of one of the first successful randomized controlled trials in development economics,[5] evaluating the efficacy of a school-based deworming program in improving health and educational outcomes.[6] [7] The research inspired the Deworm the World Initiative, which since 2014 has provided 1.8 billion deworming treatments to children around the world.[8] Dean Karlan, chief economist of the United States Agency for International Development, has described Busia as the "birthplace for this [the [[Randomized controlled trial|RCT]]] movement", with more than 27 experiments ongoing as of 2024.
Busia County is part of the Western Province of Kenya. It has been commonly inhabited by the Luhya tribe of Kenya the minority tribe of Iteso. Prior to being a county, it was known as Busia district before more districts were created by President Mwai Kibaki. Busia County borders Uganda to the west. The Samia people of Busia are the same community as those of Uganda Busia district. There has been an outcry from the Samia people on why the colonial government decided to cut and separate them placing them in different countries.
Busia County borders Bungoma County to the north, Kakamega County to the east, Siaya County and Lake Victoria to the south east and south respectively. Busia with approximately 1700 square kilometers is bordered to the south by Lake Victoria with some rivers pouring water into it. the rivers include River Nzoia in Budalangi and River Sio in Samia. There are several hills in Nambuku, Odiado Hills and Funyula. Several swamps are also located across the county with species such as crocodiles, hippos, and multiple types of fish. There are also some leopards and antelopes that are usually spotted across the county.
The county's climatic conditions are greatly affected by Lake Victoria which borders it to the south western part. We have short and long rains. The main type of rainfall experienced in the county is convectional rainfall. Busia often experiences a hot and wet climate.
Most residents are Christian with few Muslims and African believers.[9]
| Religion (2019 Census) | Number |
|---|---|
| Catholicism | 266,299 |
| 257,869 | |
| 246,936 | |
| 59,847 | |
| Orthodox | 3,070 |
| Other Christian | 18,431 |
| Islam | 16,909 |
| 164 | |
| Traditionists | 1,150 |
| Other | 8,904 |
| No ReligionAtheists | 6,537 |
| Don't Know | 681 |
| Not Stated | 59 |
The Kenya national languages are English and Swahili, in Busia county Swahili is commonly used but most residents speak their native mother tongue that is either Luhya or Iteso language
Busia county has a total population of 893,681 persons. Of this 426,252 are female, 467,401 are male, and 28 people were reported as intersex. The county has a population density of 527 persons with an average household size of 4.5 persons.[10]
| Bunyala | 85,977 | |
| Matayos | 142,408 | |
| Butula | 140,334 | |
| Nambale | 111,636 | |
| Samia | 107,176 | |
| Teso North | 138,034 | |
| Teso South | 168,116 | |
| Total | 893,681 |
Source [11]
Though most residents of Busia County are ethnically Luhya, there is also a substantial population of Luo and Iteso residents.
Busia County is made up of seven administrative sub-counties, thirty-five county ward assemblies, sixty locations and one hundred and eighty-one sub-locations.
Sub-Counties
Sospeter Ojaamong has been governor since being first elected in 2013 and he will finish his second term in 2022 and thus not eligible to run for the seat.[12] [13] He was deputised by Kizito Osore Wangalwa in his first term and now he is deputised by Moses Okhoba Mulomi. Amos Wako Sitswila has been Busia senator since 2013 after being elected as the first senator.[14] Florence Mwikali Mutua is the current women representative after taking office in 2013.[15] [16] The legislation in the county is done by the county assembly, it plays the oversight role of the executive, It comprises 53 members (35 elected representing 35 wards of Busia county and 18 nominated members mostly women). It is chaired by the speaker who is elected by the assembly currently Bernard Wamalwa.
County governor, deputy county governor and Busia county departments headed by county executive committee members and chief officers.
Busia county assembly comprises 35 elected MCA and nominated MCA the assembly is chaired by county assembly speaker, currently Bernard Wamalwa.
The judiciary of Busia is exercised by Kenyan judiciary. There is Busia law court located in the town of Busia.
Busia County has a total of 81 health facilities, out of this 1 county referral hospital, 6 sub-county hospitals, 12 health centres, 49 dispensaries, 10 Medical Clinics, 6 Nursing Homes and 1 in the other categories.[17]
Common diseases in the county include Malaria, Respiratory Diseases, and diarrhoea.[18]
Busia county has a total of 735 pre-primary schools, 551 primary schools, 152 secondary schools.[19] As at 2014 the county had an enrolment 255,008 students in primary schools and 41,332 students in secondary schools.[20]
Alupe University College is the only public university in Busia County.[21] [22]
The county has 470 km of earth roads, 740 km of murram roads and 312 km of bitumen roads.[23] [24] A total of seven postal offices are spread across the county with 3,200 letter boxes installed, 2,284 letter boxes rented and 916 letter boxes vacant.[19]
Source: USAid Kenya