Skip to content 
Kisa North: A Comprehensive Analysis of Khwisero Constituency's Northern Ward.
Kisa North stands as a vital component of Khwisero Constituency, embodying both the challenges and opportunities present in this region of Kakamega County. This detailed exploration examines the geographic, demographic, economic, and development aspects of the area, with particular focus on property markets and infrastructure improvements that have shaped the ward in recent years.
No properties found in this location.
Geographic and Administrative Overview.
Kisa North represents one of the four wards that constitute Khwisero Constituency in Kakamega County, Western Kenya. The ward covers approximately 31.5 square kilometers with a population of about 19,300 residents. Khwisero Constituency itself spans approximately 146.0 square kilometers and is strategically positioned, bordering Gem Constituency to the West, Butere Constituency to the Northwest, Ikolomani and Lurambi Constituencies to the North, Vihiga Constituency to the Northeast, and Emuhaya to the East. This positioning makes Kisa North an integral part of the broader Western Kenya regional economy.
The entire Khwisero Constituency comprises four administrative wards: Kisa North, Kisa East, Kisa West, and Kisa Central. Electoral data shows that Kisa North had 10,810 registered voters as of August 2022, making it comparable in voter population to Kisa East (10,385) and Kisa West (10,815), though significantly smaller than Kisa Central with its 23,081 registered voters. The constituency is currently represented in Parliament by Honorable Christopher Aseka Wangaya of the Orange Democratic Movement party, who notably broke the constituency’s “one-term jinx” by winning re-election in 2022.
Demographic Profile and Population Trends.
According to the most recent census and projection data, Khwisero Constituency had a population of 113,476 in 2019, with projections estimating growth to 119,539 by 2022 and 125,931 by 2025. The population density in 2019 stood at 779 people per square kilometer, projected to increase to 821 by 2022 and 865 by 2025. This represents a moderate but steady population growth that necessitates corresponding infrastructure development.
Within this broader context, Kisa North ward specifically has a population of approximately 19,300 residents. This makes it comparable in size to Kisa East (19,905) and Kisa West (21,230), while Kisa Central remains the most populous ward with 42,200 residents. These demographic patterns influence everything from resource allocation to electoral politics within the constituency.
Economic Activities and Livelihood Patterns.
The economy of Khwisero Constituency, including Kisa North, is predominantly agricultural. The area forms part of the southern region of Kakamega County where sugarcane farming constitutes the primary economic activity. Additionally, farmers in the region practice diversified agriculture including maize, sweet potatoes, tea, groundnuts, and cassava farming. This agricultural focus shapes both land use patterns and property valuations across the ward.
Former MP Julius Arunga has noted that poverty remains a significant challenge in the constituency, citing a lack of income-generating projects as a contributing factor. This economic context is crucial for understanding both property markets and development priorities in Kisa North.
Property Market Analysis: Land for Sale in Kisa North, Khwisero - Land and House Prices.
The property market in Kisa North specifically shows limited formal development based on available data. Searches for houses for sale in Kisa North, Kakamega returned no results, suggesting either limited formal housing market activity or a predominance of self-built housing typical of rural Kenyan settings.
While specific land prices for Kisa North are not extensively documented, comparisons can be drawn from broader Kakamega County trends. Land listings in Kakamega County generally range from KSh 550,000 to KSh 39,000,000 depending on location, size, and development status. A specific example in Butsotso South, Kakamega shows a 0.8-acre plot with three bungalows listed at KSh 32,000,000, though this represents a more developed property in potentially a more urbanized area than typical Kisa North parcels.
For contextual comparison, land prices in other regions can provide some perspective:
- In Kikuyu (Central Kenya), residential plots range from KSh 500,000 in less developed areas to KSh 20 million in prime locations for 1/8 acre plots8.
- In Kajiado County, property prices range from approximately KSh 2,122,000 to KSh 3,776,500 for comparable rural plots.
Given Kisa North’s rural character and agricultural focus, land values would likely fall toward the lower end of the Kakamega County spectrum, with agricultural parcels commanding different prices than residential plots near trading centers.
Recent Infrastructure Development.
Infrastructure development represents a bright spot in Kisa North’s recent history, with several notable projects enhancing the ward’s connectivity and services:
Road Infrastructure.
The most significant recent development is Governor Barasa’s launch of the Emasatsi – Eshikwata – Emuruba Primary – Ebuliangoya road project in Kisa North Ward. This project forms part of the governor’s ambitious 10KM-per-Ward road development initiative, aiming to improve transportation networks across Kakamega County. During the governor’s visit to the ward in December 2024, he unveiled a comprehensive development plan for both Kisa North and the entire Khwisero Sub-county, with improved transport networks forming the foundation of this strategy.
Electricity and Public Lighting.
Across Khwisero Constituency, including Kisa North, significant progress has been made in electricity connectivity. Since 2017, more than 5,000 households have been connected to the electricity grid. Additionally, seven markets throughout the constituency received street lighting installations, launched in March 2024. These improvements enhance both economic activity and security in trading centers.
Education Infrastructure.
Educational facilities in Kisa North have seen substantial improvement under current leadership. Khwisero Primary School, located in North Kisa, serves as an important educational institution with 16 classrooms, 880 students, and 14 teachers. Across the constituency, school infrastructure has been transformed from mud-walled structures to modern storey buildings, representing a significant quality upgrade for educational facilities.
Governance and Political Dynamics.
Kisa North’s development trajectory is inextricably linked to its political representation. At the ward level, Hon. James Etabale serves as the Member of County Assembly (MCA), while at the constituency level, Christopher Aseka Wangaya (known locally as “Miradi” or “projects”) represents Khwisero in the National Assembly.
MP Aseka has been recognized for his development record, being feted in the 2022 County Gala Awards as the best-performing MP in Kakamega County. His re-election in 2022 broke the constituency’s historical pattern of single-term MPs, with voters apparently rewarding his focus on infrastructure development, including improved school facilities, electricity connections, and support for vulnerable community members.
Recent political tensions have emerged regarding land rates, with MP Aseka publicly opposing Kakamega County Government’s proposed introduction of land rates on freehold land in the 2025/2026 financial year. This highlights ongoing governance challenges related to taxation and land policy that affect Kisa North residents.
Challenges and Future Prospects.
Despite progress in infrastructure development, Kisa North and the broader Khwisero Constituency face several challenges:
- Economic Empowerment: Critics of current leadership argue that while infrastructure has improved, economic empowerment of residents remains insufficient.
- Youth Employment: Limited job opportunities and business activities reportedly leave many young people in the constituency struggling financially.
- Healthcare Access: Persistent chronic shortages of drugs in public hospitals across Kakamega County affect healthcare quality for Kisa North residents.
- Land Policy Tensions: Disagreements between constituency and county leadership regarding land rates implementation could impact property markets and agricultural investment.
Future development prospects for Kisa North will likely depend on addressing these challenges while building on infrastructure gains. Agricultural diversification, value addition, and cottage industries have been suggested as potential pathways for economic growth.
Conclusion.
Kisa North represents a microcosm of rural Kenya’s development journey, with agricultural foundations gradually being supplemented by improved infrastructure and services. While specific property market data remains limited, the ward’s trajectory shows promise through road development, electricity connectivity, and educational improvements. The political stability provided by consistent leadership may offer opportunities for sustained development if economic diversification can complement the existing infrastructure investments.
For potential investors or residents, Kisa North offers the advantages of improving connectivity, established educational facilities, and agricultural opportunities, though challenges in healthcare access and economic diversification remain. As infrastructure development continues, property values may gradually appreciate, particularly in areas benefiting directly from road improvements and electricity connectivity.
Related
1. What are the current house prices in Kisa East?
2.How much does land cost per acre in Kisa West?
3.What recent infrastructure developments have taken place in Kisa Central?
4. Are there any upcoming infrastructure projects planned for Isukha North?
5. How has the real estate market in Murhanda changed over the past five years?