Marenyo-Shianda Ward: A Comprehensive Profile of Butere Constituency's Growing Community.

Marenyo-Shianda is one of the key wards in Butere Constituency, Kakamega County, Kenya, with a growing population and developing infrastructure. This report explores the demographic composition, economic activities, real estate market, and recent development initiatives in this evolving semi-urban area. The ward represents a significant portion of Butere’s registered voters and has seen several infrastructure projects in recent years that aim to improve living conditions and economic prospects for residents.

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Geographic and Administrative Context.

Marenyo-Shianda is officially recognized as one of the six wards in Butere Constituency, which itself is one of twelve constituencies in Kakamega County. The ward had 8,510 registered voters as of September 2005, making it the ward with the highest number of registered voters in the constituency. Geographically, Marenyo-Shianda forms part of Butere town’s extended area, alongside Marama Central and Marama West wards. As a political and administrative unit, it falls under the jurisdiction of both the County Government of Kakamega and the National Government Constituency Development Fund framework.

The ward is situated within Butere Sub-County, which serves as an important regional center linked by road to Mumias in the north and Kisumu in the southeast. Historically, Butere town derives its name from the Abatere sub-clan, who were the original inhabitants before colonial administration established the town as their administrative center.

Demographic Profile.

The population of Marenyo-Shianda is predominantly composed of the Marama sub-tribe of the larger Luhyia Community, with a significant number of Luo immigrants from the neighboring Siaya County. The Marama people have traditionally been subsistence farmers with rich cultural practices including the lipala dance and eshiremba, a funeral ceremony dance performed by the Abashibanga clan.

Women constitute about 53% of the population in the broader Butere area, with gender equality remaining a development challenge. Women form almost 80% of the on-farm workforce but own less than 1% of family wealth due to traditional land ownership patterns that favor men.

Economic Activities and Livelihoods.

The primary economic activity in Marenyo-Shianda and the broader Butere area is subsistence agriculture. Following the collapse of the Mumias Sugar Company, many residents have transitioned from sugarcane cultivation to growing maize and fruits. The area benefits from favorable climate conditions and fertile soils that support agricultural production.

Small-scale livestock keeping is also common, with residents engaging in cattle rearing, beekeeping, and fish farming. Despite these natural advantages, unemployment rates remain high in the region, representing a significant economic challenge.

The transport sector has emerged as an important source of employment, particularly for young people who operate motorcycle taxis locally known as “bodaboda”. While this provides income opportunities, it has also been identified as a cause of accidents, highlighting the need for proper training and regulation in this sector.

Infrastructure Development Initiatives: Road Infrastructure.

In February 2024, Kakamega County Governor FCPA Fernandes Barasa initiated the construction and maintenance of the Khushikalame-Shitoto-Mabole Centre road in Marenyo-Shianda Ward. This project forms part of the county government’s “10KM per Ward” road projects in Butere Sub-County, representing a significant investment in improving local transportation infrastructure.

Water Projects.

A major development for the ward is the proposed construction of the Marenyo-Shianda Ward Based Water Project in Butere Sub-County. This initiative, documented in November 2023, aims to address water access challenges in the area. The project is particularly significant considering that access to clean and safe water in Kakamega County increased from 29.5 percent in 2013 to 71.3 percent in 2022, suggesting that the new water project will further improve this essential service.

Educational Infrastructure.

In July 2023, over Sh4.2 million was disbursed to six primary schools in Butere Sub-County from the National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) for infrastructural development. Several schools in Marenyo-Shianda Ward received substantial funding, including:

Shianda Primary School: Sh 800,000
Shibembe Primary School: Sh 500,000

The local Member of Parliament, Tindi Mwale, emphasized that these investments aim to enhance educational performance and provide a better learning environment. This development is crucial for the ward’s long-term human capital development.

Real Estate Market Analysis: House for Sale in Marenyo-Shianda, Butere - Housing Prices.

The real estate market in Marenyo-Shianda shows limited formal documentation and listings, suggesting a predominantly informal property market. A recent listing from April 2025 shows a furnished 3-bedroom house in Shianda Shakhulo (part of Marenyo-Shianda) priced at KSh 3,200,000. The property is located on a quarter-acre plot approximately 1km from Shianda market and includes features such as 24-hour electricity and pre-paid metering systems.

According to the Kenya Bankers Association Housing Price Index, house prices nationally dropped by 1.1% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter and fell 14.28% year-on-year. This nationwide trend of price correction might influence property values in Marenyo-Shianda, potentially making homeownership more accessible for local residents.

Land Market.

While specific land prices for Marenyo-Shianda are not extensively documented in the search results, there are indications of an active land market in the area. The ward is listed among areas with plots and property for sale, though detailed pricing information is limited.

The search for formal housing and rental listings in Marenyo-Shianda yields limited results, with search platforms indicating no current listings for 3-bedroom houses for rent in the area. This suggests either limited formal real estate market activity or a lack of digital documentation of such transactions.

Educational Facilities and Services.

The educational landscape in the broader Butere area, including Marenyo-Shianda, includes several institutions at both primary and secondary levels. Notable schools in the vicinity include:

Primary Schools:
- Shianda Primary School
- Shibembe Primary School
- Butere Primary School
- Buchenya Primary School
Secondary Schools:
- Lunza Secondary School (largest in terms of student population and performance)
- Bukolwe Secondary School
- Shiatsala Secondary School
- Shikunga Secondary School
- Bumamu Secondary School
- Shibembe Secondary School
- Mabole Boys Secondary School9

The introduction of the Constituency Development Fund has led to the selection of Buchenya Girls’ School as a center for academic excellence due to its central location.

Environmental Challenges and Development Considerations.

Marenyo-Shianda faces several environmental challenges that impact sustainable development:

Waste Management: The area lacks modern waste management practices for both solid and liquid waste. Improper handling of waste from open-air markets contributes to environmental pollution.
Water Pollution: Wastewater discharged from households, businesses, and institutions into open drains contributes to pollution of water sources. Agricultural runoff containing fertilizers and agrochemicals also poses pollution risks.
Town Planning: Poor urban planning in Butere town, including parts of Marenyo-Shianda, has led to haphazard land subdivision and construction of buildings in unsuitable locations.
Deforestation: On-farm deforestation due to overdependence on wood fuel represents a significant environmental concern for the area.

Conclusion.

Marenyo-Shianda Ward in Butere Constituency presents a mixed picture of development challenges and opportunities. While the area benefits from recent infrastructure investments in roads, water systems, and educational facilities, it continues to face economic hardships including high unemployment and limited commercial agriculture. The real estate market appears to be developing but remains largely informal, with few documented property listings and transactions.

The ward’s future development prospects could be enhanced through further investments in agricultural value addition, improved urban planning, environmental management, and expansion of water and sanitation infrastructure. Addressing gender inequality in asset ownership and economic participation would also contribute significantly to the ward’s socioeconomic advancement.

The ongoing infrastructure projects, particularly in water and road development, signal positive government attention to the area’s needs and could serve as catalysts for further economic growth if properly implemented and maintained. For potential investors and residents, Marenyo-Shianda represents an area with affordable property prices compared to urban centers, with improving infrastructure and a strategic location within Kakamega County.

1. What are the current house prices in Marama West?

2. How has the infrastructure development impacted property values in Marama Central?

3. Are there any recent land purchases or sales in Maram North?

4. What types of infrastructure projects have been completed in Butere Constituency?

5. How does the cost of land in Maram South compare to other areas in Kakamega County?