Mautuma Ward in Lugari Constituency: Area Facts, Real Estate Prices, and Development.

Mautuma ward stands as a significant administrative division within Lugari Constituency, offering a blend of agricultural potential, historical settlement contexts, and emerging infrastructure developments. This comprehensive analysis explores the demographic, economic, and developmental aspects of this important region in Western Kenya.

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Geographic and Administrative Context.

Mautuma ward is one of the six wards that constitute Lugari Constituency in Kakamega County, Western Kenya. According to current administrative data, Mautuma covers approximately 83.8 square kilometers and hosts a population of about 25,082 residents. The ward is part of the broader Lugari Constituency, which encompasses a total area of 367 square kilometers and includes five other wards: Lugari, Lumakanda, Chekalini, Chevaywa, and Lwandeti.

Historically, Lugari was designated as a district before Kenya’s 2010 constitutional changes, after which it was incorporated into Kakamega County. The constituency represents one of twelve constituencies within Kakamega County and is currently represented in Parliament by Nabii Nabwera Daraja of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, who was elected in the 2022 general elections.

Demographic and Economic Profile.

Lugari Constituency, including Mautuma ward, is characterized by its cosmopolitan nature, hosting more than ten different Kenyan ethnic communities. The region’s economy is predominantly agricultural, with farmers cultivating maize, beans, sugarcane, and sweet potatoes as primary crops. This agricultural foundation has shaped the social and economic dynamics of the area, including land utilization patterns and settlement structures.

Land Context and Historical Settlements.

A significant aspect of Mautuma’s socio-economic landscape is the Mautuma Central Settlement Scheme, which has a complex history dating back to the early 1990s. This settlement scheme was established in 1995 through a presidential decree, carving out approximately 9,000 acres from the Lugari forest to resettle people displaced by the 1992 election clashes. The displaced persons originated from various locations including Turbo, Matunda, Soy, Magut, Kipkaren, Chekalini, Likuyani, and Jua-Kali.

Despite the scheme’s long existence, approximately 3,500 squatters within the settlement have yet to receive formal title deeds for their land allocations. This land tenure insecurity has become a persistent challenge, limiting residents’ ability to access financial services and hindering larger economic investments in the area.

Recent developments include a petition regarding the delayed degazettement of approximately 1,577.86 hectares of land in Lugari Turbo Forest for the Mautuma Central Settlement Scheme. Additionally, an extra 2,482.12 hectares have been identified for potential allocation to address the growing population needs. This ongoing land regularization process represents a critical factor in the ward’s development trajectory.

Land and Property Prices.

Farmland for Sale in Kakamega -Land Prices in Mautuma and Surrounding Areas.

Land prices in Mautuma and the broader Lugari area reflect the region’s agricultural potential and proximity to urban centers. Current market rates indicate that land in Mautuma is priced at approximately KSh 950,000 per acre, with standard transactions involving plots of about 2 acres. This pricing is relatively competitive compared to neighboring areas within the region.

For context, land prices in surrounding areas of Lugari Constituency show some variation:

Lugari-Lumakanda: KSh 1.4 million per acre.
Lugari-Marakusi: KSh 900,000 per acre.
Lugari-Mwamba: KSh 1.5 million per acre.

Neighboring Likuyani area displays similar price ranges:

Likuyani-Nasianda: KSh 1.6 million per acre.
Likuyani-Mapera: KSh 1.5 million per acre.
Likuyani-Kongoni: KSh 1.7 million per acre.

These price variations reflect differences in factors such as accessibility, soil fertility, proximity to amenities, and infrastructure development across the different localities.

Houses for Sale in Kakamega-House Prices.

While specific data on house prices in Mautuma is limited, the broader Western Kenya region’s housing market provides contextual information. Housing prices in Kenya vary significantly based on location, with urban and peri-urban areas commanding higher prices compared to rural settings.

The average house prices in comparable semi-rural areas in Kenya might range as follows, though these would be adjusted for Mautuma’s specific market conditions:

Basic residential structures: KSh 1-3 million.
Mid-range family homes: KSh 3-5 million.
Large residential properties: KSh 5-10 million.

The lack of formal title deeds in parts of Mautuma Settlement Scheme has potentially suppressed property values and limited formal real estate development, as noted by community representatives who highlighted that residents cannot “access loans from financial institutions due to lack of deeds”.

Recent Infrastructure Development.

Lugari Constituency, including Mautuma ward, has witnessed significant infrastructure development initiatives in recent years, aimed at enhancing economic activities and improving social services.

Modern Markets Development.

A major infrastructure development currently underway is the construction of modern markets within Lugari Constituency. As of April 22, 2025, Lugari Sub-County is benefiting from the construction of a second modern market, estimated to cost KSh 50 million. While this particular market is being constructed at the Pan-paper trading centre in Lugari Ward, it represents part of a broader market development initiative across the constituency.

This follows the first modern market project at Chekalini Market in Chekalini Ward, for which President William Ruto laid the foundation stone last year. The markets are funded under the government’s Economic Stimulus Programme and are designed to enhance commercial activities within the constituency.

The new market at Pan-paper will feature:

A storey building constructed on one acre of land.
200 stalls at ground level (expanding to 600 on designated market days).
An ICT hub providing internet services for youth.
A dedicated breastfeeding room for female traders.
A refrigeration center for preserving perishable goods.
Meeting facilities in the form of a boardroom.
Ablution blocks and water supply systems.

Additionally, there are plans to construct a third modern market at Lwandeti market in Lwandeti ward, further expanding the commercial infrastructure across the constituency.

Educational Infrastructure.

Educational infrastructure development is also evident, with plans for:

A modern hostel to accommodate approximately 1,000 students at Chevaywa Technical Institute.
A 300-student dormitory at Kivaywa Secondary School in Chevaywa ward.

These educational facilities aim to enhance access to quality education and technical training within the constituency.

Healthcare and Transportation Development.

The constituency has also seen development in healthcare and transportation infrastructure, with projects including:

Lugari Health Centre improvements.
TurboSoyNzoiaKogo Road development.
Sinoko Dispensary.

Constituency Development Fund Initiatives.

The National Government Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) has been instrumental in supporting various development initiatives in Lugari Constituency, including Mautuma ward. The 2020-2021 financial year project proposal included:

Bursaries for secondary and tertiary education students.
Health insurance coverage (NHIF) for 1,160 needy constituents.
Sports development through constituency tournaments.
Support for educational institutions, including Mautuma Boys Secondary School.

Challenges and Future Prospects.

Despite the ongoing infrastructure developments, Mautuma and the broader Lugari Constituency face several challenges:

Land Tenure Insecurity.

The prolonged wait for title deeds among settlers in the Mautuma Central Settlement Scheme represents a significant impediment to economic development. The inability to use land as collateral for loans limits agricultural investments and housing improvements.

Infrastructure Gaps.

Despite recent developments, infrastructure gaps remain in areas such as road networks, water supply, and electricity distribution, particularly in the more remote parts of Mautuma ward.

Future Development Potential.

The ongoing market development projects, combined with potential resolution of land tenure issues, present opportunities for accelerated economic growth in Mautuma. The ward’s agricultural potential, coupled with improving infrastructure, positions it favorably for increased commercial farming activities and potential agro-processing ventures.

Conclusion.

Mautuma ward in Lugari Constituency presents a dynamic profile of a rural Kenyan settlement navigating historical challenges while embracing new development opportunities. The area’s land context, characterized by the Mautuma Central Settlement Scheme, continues to shape its socio-economic landscape, with pending land regularization representing both a challenge and opportunity.

Current land prices reflect the area’s agricultural potential, while new infrastructure developments, particularly modern markets and educational facilities, signal positive government investment in the region. As land tenure issues progress toward resolution and infrastructure improvements continue, Mautuma ward stands poised for enhanced economic activity and improved quality of life for its residents.

For potential investors or settlers in the area, Mautuma offers relatively affordable land prices compared to neighboring areas, with promising infrastructure developments that could enhance property values in the coming years. However, due diligence regarding land ownership documentation remains essential given the historical settlement patterns and ongoing titling processes.

1. What are the current house prices in Lugari?

2. How has the infrastructure in Lumakanda developed recently?

3. Are there any new housing projects in Chekalini?

4. What are the average land prices in Chevaywa?

5. How does the cost of living in Lawandeti compare to other areas in Kakamega County?