Nyanza Province
| Nyanza Mkoa wa Nyanza | |
|---|---|
| Former Province | |
 Location in Kenya. | |
| Coordinates: 0°30′S 34°40′E / 0.500°S 34.667°ECoordinates: 0°30′S 34°40′E / 0.500°S 34.667°E | |
| Country |
 Kenya |
| No. of Counties: | 6 |
| Capital | Kisumu |
| Area | |
| • Total | 12,477.1 km2 (4,817.4 sq mi) |
| Population (2009 Census) | |
| • Total | 5,442,711 |
| • Density | 440/km2 (1,100/sq mi) |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
Nyanza Province (Kenyan English pronunciation: [ˈɲaːnzə]; Swahili: Mkoa wa Nyanza), was one of Kenya's eight administrative provinces before the formation of the 47 counties under the 2010 constitution. The region is located in the southwest part of Kenya around Lake Victoria, includes part of the eastern edge of Lake Victoria and is inhabited predominantly by the Luo. There are also Bantu-speaking tribes such as the Gusii, the Kuria and a few traces of the Luhya living in the province. The province derives its name from Nyanza, a Bantu word which means a large mass of water.
The provincial capital was Kisumu, the third largest city in Kenya. The province had a population of 4,392,196 at the 1999 census within an area of 16,162 km², or 12,613 km² of land.
The climate is tropical humid.
Counties
| Code | County | Former Province | Area (km2) | Population Census 2009 | Capital |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Siaya | Nyanza | 2,496.1 | 842,304 | Siaya |
| 42 | Kisumu | Nyanza | 2,009.5 | 968,909 | Kisumu |
| 43 | Homa Bay | Nyanza | 3,154.7 | 963,794 | Homa Bay |
| 44 | Migori | Nyanza | 2,586.4 | 917,170 | Migori |
| 45 | Kisii | Nyanza | 1,317.9 | 1,152,282 | Kisii |
| 46 | Nyamira | Nyanza | 912.5 | 598,252 | Nyamira |
| Totals | 12,477.1 | 5,442,711 |
Districts after 2007
Several new districts were created in 2007 in Kenya, also in Nyanza Province:[1]
| District | Capital |
|---|---|
| Bondo | Bondo |
| Borabu | Nyansiongo |
| Gucha | Ogembo |
| Homa Bay | Homa Bay |
| Kisii | Kisii |
| Kisumu East | Kisumu town |
| Kisumu West | Holo |
| Kuria West District | Kehancha |
| Kuria East District | Kegonga |
| Manga | |
| Masaba | Keroka |
| Migori | Migori |
| Nyamira | Nyamira |
| Nyando | Awasi |
| Rachuonyo | Kosele |
| Rarieda | Madiany |
| Rongo | Rongo |
| Siaya | Siaya |
| Suba | Sindo |
Languages
The predominant language in Nyanza is Dholuo, a Nilotic language whose origins are from Southern Sudan, spoken by the Luo.
Other languages include Gusii, Luhya, Kuria, Suba and the national languages English and Swahili. Other languages from the many Kenyan communities are also spoken in small pockets by migrants from these communities.
Notable residents
Barack Obama, Sr., was born in the Nyanza Province. He is the father of the President of the United States Barack Obama, Jr. Others include the independence fighters and socialist politicians Achieng Oneko and Jaramogi Oginga Odinga, the latter's son Prime Minister Raila Odinga, former ministers Robert Ouko and Tom Mboya, and the historian Bethwell Allan Ogot.and Chrispine Otwal the current chief Civil engineer of Warren Enterprises limited
References
External links
- Languages
- http://www.yale.edu/swahili Swahili- English translation
- Kisii Language - Kisii English- Ekegusii translation