Ingotse-Matiha Ward: A Comprehensive Profile of Navakholo Constituency.

Ingotse-Matiha is one of the five wards within Navakholo Constituency, a growing region in Kakamega County with significant agricultural potential and ongoing infrastructure development. This report provides a detailed analysis of the area’s key features, economic activities, property market, and recent development initiatives.

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Administrative and Geographical Context.

Navakholo Constituency is strategically positioned within Kakamega County, bordering Lurambi, Mumias East, Malava, Lugari, and Matungu constituencies. The constituency, numbered 203 out of Kenya’s 290 constituencies, was established in 2012 by the IEBC as part of the new constituencies created after devolution. Administratively, the constituency is divided into five wards: Bunyala West, Bunyala Central, Bunyala East, Shinoyi-Shikomari-Esumeiya, and Ingotse-Matiha.

Spanning 257.9 square kilometers, Navakholo Constituency had a population of 153,977 according to the 2019 KNBS Census report. Specifically, Ingotse-Matiha Ward had a population of 12,477 as documented in available demographic data. The constituency is predominantly inhabited by three Luhyia subtribes: Banyala ba Ndombi, Kabras, and Batsotso, contributing to its rich cultural diversity.

Demographic Projections.

According to the Kakamega County Annual Development Plan for FY 2025/26, Navakholo’s population is projected to grow to 170,878 by 2025, with a population density of 662 people per square kilometer. This represents a significant increase from the 2019 figures and indicates growing pressure on land resources and services in the area.

Economic Activities and Livelihood Sources.

Ingotse-Matiha Ward plays a prominent role in Kakamega County’s economic landscape primarily through sugarcane farming. The ward’s economy is heavily agricultural, with sugarcane being the dominant cash crop, while maize serves as the main food crop grown on small-scale farms. This economic pattern is consistent with the broader ecological characteristics of Kakamega County, where the northern and central parts (including Navakholo) practice intensive maize, tea, beans, and horticultural production mainly on a small scale.

Agricultural Potential.

The area falls within the Upper Medium (UM) ecological zone of Kakamega County, which favors diverse agricultural activities beyond sugarcane. However, challenges in transportation infrastructure have limited the full exploitation of this agricultural potential, particularly in getting produce to markets efficiently.

Infrastructure and Accessibility.

The state of infrastructure in Ingotse-Matiha and the broader Navakholo Constituency has historically been challenging. The area is characterized by rough roads that link it to Mumias via Shianda to the west, Malava to the east, Bungoma to the north, and Kakamega town to the south. Until recently, there were no bitumen roads in the area, making most roads impassable during rainy seasons and forcing residents to rely heavily on motorbikes for transportation.

Recent Road Developments.

Significant progress has been made in addressing the infrastructure deficit in Ingotse-Matiha. A notable development is the recently launched Munduma C.O.G – Munduma Stream – Makokha Road project, specifically designed to enhance the transportation of sugarcane produce to millers. This infrastructure initiative was launched by Kakamega Governor FCPA Fernandes Barasa, highlighting its importance to the county government’s development agenda.

Another important road project is the Matende – Ingotse high junction road, which spans 2.5 kilometers and has been completed to improve mobility and accessibility in the area. This project, funded by the County Government of Kakamega, is now in use and represents a significant improvement in the ward’s road network.

Educational Facilities.

Navakholo Constituency hosts several educational institutions that serve Ingotse-Matiha and neighboring wards. Secondary schools in the area include Namirama Girls, Chebuyusi Boys, Ingotse Boys, St Paul’s Emulakha, Navakholo Secondary, and Friends School Sidikho. Primary education is provided by institutions such as Mukangu Primary, Lwakhupa Primary, and Simuli Primary, among others.

Recent development initiatives include the provision of ECDE furniture at Emulama ECDE Centre in Ingotse-Matiha Ward, indicating ongoing investment in early childhood education infrastructure.

Land and Property Market.

While specific housing and land prices for Ingotse-Matiha are not extensively documented in the available data, insights can be drawn from property listings in the broader Kakamega County context.

Land for Sale in Ingostse-Mathia, Kakamega-Land Prices in Kakamega County.

Farmland in Kakamega County is advertised at varying prices depending on location, accessibility, and soil fertility:

85 acres in Soy-Kakamega at KSh 1,800,000 per acre.
5 acres in Matungu at KSh 650,000 per acre.
Standard plots (50×100) opposite a Chief’s office at KSh 1,500,000 per plot.
2 acres of prime agricultural land in Sheywe at KSh 1,200,000 outright price.
1 acre with eucalyptus trees in Matunda, Moi’s Bridge at KSh 1,800,000.
6 acres of established high-yield farmland at KSh 2,500,000 outright price.
Productive land in Likuyani at KSh 2,500,000 per acre.

These prices provide a general reference for estimating land values in Ingotse-Matiha, although actual prices would vary based on specific local factors. Given Ingotse-Matiha’s agricultural potential, particularly for sugarcane farming, land suitable for this purpose would likely command premium prices relative to other uses.

Terraced Bungalows for Sale in Ingostse-Mathia, Kakamega-Property Development Context.

Kakamega County as a whole has been experiencing increased real estate activity, with plots, houses, and apartments available for sale and rent across various wards. While there’s no specific mention of Ingotse-Matiha in property listings, its improving road infrastructure and proximity to the agricultural value chain would likely enhance property values over time.

Development Planning and Future Prospects.

The Kakamega County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) and Annual Development Plans indicate ongoing investment in infrastructure and social services across the county, including Navakholo Constituency and Ingotse-Matiha Ward.

Development Priorities.

According to county planning documents, emphasis is being placed on:

Agricultural productivity enhancement through improved farm input access and value chain development.
Infrastructure development, particularly roads to improve market access.
Education facilities expansion and improvement.
Water and sanitation services enhancement.

These priorities align with the needs of Ingotse-Matiha Ward, particularly in supporting its agricultural economy and improving living conditions for residents.

Challenges and Opportunities.

Despite recent developments, Ingotse-Matiha and the broader Navakholo Constituency face several challenges:

Limited Road Network: While improvements have been made, the road infrastructure remains inadequate for efficient transportation of agricultural produce.
Agricultural Value Addition: The area is primarily a producer of raw agricultural commodities with limited value addition, reducing potential income for farmers.
Access to Markets: Poor roads and limited transportation options continue to hinder access to markets, particularly during rainy seasons.

However, these challenges present opportunities for strategic investments:

Agro-processing Facilities: Establishing sugarcane processing or other agricultural value addition facilities could enhance income for local farmers.
Real Estate Development: As infrastructure improves, residential and commercial real estate development becomes increasingly viable.
Transport Services: The ongoing road improvements create opportunities for enhanced transport services beyond the currently dominant motorbike transport.

Conclusion.

Ingotse-Matiha Ward in Navakholo Constituency is an area of significant agricultural potential with an improving infrastructure landscape. The ward’s economy, centered around sugarcane farming, stands to benefit substantially from ongoing and planned road development projects that enhance connectivity to markets and processing facilities. While specific property market data for the ward is limited, the broader Kakamega County land prices provide a reference point for potential investors.

As infrastructure continues to improve, Ingotse-Matiha is likely to see enhanced property values and increased economic activity, making it a potential growth area within Kakamega County. For prospective residents or investors, the ward offers affordable land with agricultural potential, improving accessibility, and proximity to educational institutions, making it worthy of consideration for long-term investment.

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