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Kapkateny Ward, Mt. Elgon Constituency: A Comprehensive Profile.
Kapkateny stands as one of the six strategic wards within Mt. Elgon Constituency, characterized by its agricultural potential, evolving infrastructure, and distinctive property market. This area, nestled in the western region of Kenya, presents unique opportunities and challenges within Bungoma County’s development landscape. Recent infrastructure projects, particularly in water supply systems, indicate growing investment in the region, while property markets show varied pricing patterns reflecting the ward’s rural-yet-developing status.
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Geographic and Administrative Context.
Kapkateny Ward is situated within Mt. Elgon Constituency, one of nine constituencies in Bungoma County, Western Kenya. The constituency as a whole spans approximately 956.6 square kilometers, bordering Uganda to the North and West, Trans Nzoia County to the East, and other Bungoma constituencies (Kimilili, Kabuchai, and Sirisia) to the South. Administratively, Mt. Elgon Constituency comprises two sub-counties: Mt. Elgon and Cheptais.
The constituency has six wards: Kapkateny, Kaptama, Elgon, Chepyuk, Chesikaki, and Cheptais. According to the 2019 population census, Mt. Elgon Constituency has a population of 218,873 residents. The area is predominantly inhabited by the Sabaot community, with Bukusu and Teso forming minority groups. This cultural diversity contributes to the ward’s social fabric and influences land use patterns.
Mt. Elgon Constituency is currently represented in the National Assembly by Fred Chesebe Kapondi of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party, who was elected in the 2022 general elections. The constituency has historically been considered a political stronghold, with trends showing consistent voting patterns over several electoral cycles.
Economic Activities and Business Environment.
The economy of Kapkateny Ward, like much of Mt. Elgon Constituency is predominantly agricultural. The favorable climate conditions support a wide range of agricultural and livestock production activities, which account for approximately 90% of economic activities in the constituency. Primary agricultural activities include the production of tea, coffee, and maize, complemented by livestock rearing.
The business environment in Kapkateny appears to face challenges, as evidenced by reports from the business community at Kapkateny Market who have expressed concerns about poor working conditions. This suggests infrastructure limitations affecting commercial activities in the area, despite its agricultural potential.
Land and Property Market.
Land & Plots for Sale in Kapkateny -Land Prices and Availability.
While specific land prices for Kapkateny are not directly provided in the available data, the broader Bungoma County context offers useful insights. Land listings in neighboring areas within Bungoma County show varying prices depending on location, access to amenities, and lot size.
In Bungoma County, land parcels are available in various sizes, from small plots (0.05ha) to larger acreages (up to 12 acres). Specifically, the records indicate availability of 0.3ha land parcels in Kapkatney, suggesting active land transactions in the ward.
For context, land prices in other parts of Kenya vary significantly:
- In Kikuyu (Kiambu County), 1/8 acre residential plots range from Ksh 1.5M to Ksh 4.5M.3
- In Kajiado County, prices range from Ksh 500K for rural areas to Ksh 20M for prime locations.10
While these prices are not directly applicable to Kapkateny, they provide a frame of reference for understanding Kenyan land market dynamics. Given Kapkateny’s rural setting within Bungoma County, land prices are likely more affordable than in more urbanized regions.
Houses & Apartments for Sale in Kapkateny -Housing and Accommodation.
The housing market in Kapkateny appears to be developing, with limited formal listings. There is evidence of rental properties, including bedsitters available for rent. The area also has at least one established hotel, the Beston Hotel Bungoma, serving visitors to the region.
Land disputes appear to be a relevant issue in the area, as indicated by a legal case involving a 3.5-acre parcel in Elgon/Kapkateny/647, where ownership claims date back to 1980. This suggests that historical land arrangements and inheritance patterns may influence current property markets.
Infrastructure Development.
Water Supply Projects.
A significant infrastructure development affecting Kapkateny is the Sh600 million water project funded by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA)4. This project, initially planned to run from 2018 to 2022 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, includes:
- Construction of a 46.3km water supply pipeline.
- Erection of a water treatment plant with capacity of 4000m³ per day.
- Installation of five service tanks.
- Development of 25 water collection kiosks across Mt. Elgon, Kabuchai, and Kanduyi.
Kapkateny is specifically mentioned as part of the water supply system development from Chepyuk to Kibabii complex. This project aims to benefit approximately 100,000 people by improving overall sanitation and hygiene, increasing water supply, and reducing walking distances to water collection points.
The project builds on the earlier KOICA I initiative, which was completed and commissioned in October 2018. That phase included construction of a water supply system with a 2,000 m³/day capacity and an intake structure in the Kuywa River. Kapkateny was also covered in this initial phase.
Agricultural Infrastructure.
There are ongoing efforts to develop agricultural infrastructure in Kapkateny, as evidenced by the project for completion of a sorting house at Chebich Co-Operative Society in Kapkateny Ward. This suggests investment in agricultural value additional facilities to support the primary economic activities of the area.
Challenges and Future Outlook.
Despite infrastructure investments, Kapkateny faces several challenges:
- The business community has reported poor working environments at Kapkateny Market, indicating infrastructure limitations affecting commercial activities.
- Land disputes, as evidenced by legal cases, suggest challenges in land administration that could impact development.
- The ward’s rural setting means it likely has limited access to some essential services compared to more urbanized areas.
The ongoing water infrastructure project represents a significant development that could improve living conditions and support agricultural productivity in the region. Further investment in market infrastructure and resolution of land administration issues would strengthen the ward’s development trajectory.
Conclusion.
Kapkateny Ward in Mt. Elgon Constituency presents a profile of a primarily agricultural area with ongoing infrastructure developments, particularly in water supply systems. The land and property market appears to be active but less formalized than in urban centers, with prices likely more affordable than in Kenya’s major towns and cities. Recent infrastructure investments, particularly the KOICA water project, indicate growing attention to the area’s development needs, though challenges in market infrastructure and land administration remain. As part of Mt. Elgon Constituency, Kapkateny’s future development will likely continue to build on its agricultural foundation while addressing infrastructure gaps to improve living conditions and economic opportunities for residents.
Related
1.What are the current house prices in Cheptais?
2.How much does land cost per acre in Chesikaki?
3.Are there any recent infrastructure developments in Chepyuk?
4.What are the main economic activities in Kaptama?
5.How does the climate in Elgon affect agricultural production?