Khalaba Ward in Matungu Constituency: A Comprehensive Profile.

Khalaba ward represents an important administrative division within Matungu Constituency, characterized by its agricultural economy, cultural significance, and ongoing development initiatives. This report examines the geographic, demographic, economic, and infrastructural aspects of the area, with a focus on real estate trends and recent development projects.

Locations > Kakamega > Matungu > Khalaba

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Geographic and Administrative Context.

Khalaba is one of five wards that constitute Matungu Constituency in Kakamega County, Western Kenya. Matungu Constituency itself was established for the 1997 elections, carved out of the larger Mumias Constituency following residents’ concerns about representation. The constituency borders Bungoma County to the North, Busia County to the West, Siaya County to the South, and internally borders Mumias West, Mumias East, and Navakholo constituencies within Kakamega County.

Matungu Constituency measures approximately 275.8 km² in total, with Khalaba being the smallest ward at just 39 km². The constituency is divided into five administrative wards: Khalaba, Koyonzo, Namamali, Kholera, and Mayoni. This administrative structure provides the framework for local governance and service delivery within the area.

Demographics and Population.

According to electoral records from 2005, Khalaba ward had 4,985 registered voters, representing one of the smaller voting blocs within Matungu Constituency. The broader Matungu Constituency had a population of 183,544 as of 2018, with projections indicating growth to 202,848 by 2022. The area has a population density that was recorded at 416 persons per square kilometer according to earlier census data.

The predominant communities in the area are the Luhya sub-tribes, particularly the Wanga and partly the Bukusu. Historically, Matungu holds significant cultural importance as the burial grounds of the Nabongo’s (Kings) of the Wanga Kingdom, contributing to the area’s rich cultural heritage.

Economic Activities and Livelihoods.

The economy of Matungu Constituency, including Khalaba ward, is primarily agricultural. Sugarcane production dominates as the main economic activity, with the area serving as an important source of raw materials for the Mumias Sugar Company. Beyond sugarcane, farmers in the region also cultivate maize, sweet potatoes, tea, groundnuts, and cassava as supplementary crops.

Agriculture represents a critical sector for Kakamega County as a whole, accounting for approximately 52% of the Gross County Product (GCP). This agricultural focus shapes both the landscape and economic opportunities within Khalaba and the broader Matungu Constituency.

Property in Khalaba (Kanduyi) for Rent & Sale-Real Estate Market: House and Land Prices.

The formal real estate market in Khalaba, Matungu appears to be in developmental stages, with limited structured listings available in the search results. Searches for specific property types such as “27 Bedroom Houses for Sale” or “2 Bedroom Terraced Duplexes” in Khalaba (Matungu) yielded no matches in property listing platforms, suggesting either limited formal real estate activity or specialized search parameters.

While specific property prices for Khalaba in Matungu Constituency are scarce in the provided search results, land prices in the broader western Kenya region provide some context:

In neighboring Bungoma County, a 5-acre rocky land parcel at Luucho Hills was listed for KSh 900,000.
A standard 50 by 100 plot in Ndengelwa, Bungoma was priced at KSh 800,000.
Prime plots in Bungoma’s Khalaba area (different from Matungu’s Khalaba) were listed at approximately KSh 2 million.

These regional figures can offer a general frame of reference, though actual prices in Khalaba, Matungu may vary based on specific location, accessibility, and available amenities.

Recent Infrastructure Development.

County-Level Development Initiatives.

Kakamega County’s Annual Development Plan (CADP) for FY 2025/26 outlines several significant infrastructure initiatives that impact Matungu Constituency, including Khalaba ward. The county government plans to invest KES 15.36 billion against a projected development envelope of KES 5.95 billion to address six priority areas:

Enhanced access to quality and affordable healthcare.
Water and sanitation improvements.
Support for wealth creation and infrastructure development.
Food security initiatives.
Quality education provision.
Good governance promotion.

These development priorities create a framework for both county-wide and constituency-specific projects that benefit residents of Khalaba ward.

Transportation Infrastructure.

A notable infrastructure development relevant to the broader area is the Khaunga Bridge, which connects Mumias East, Matungu, and Navakholo Sub-Counties, improving connectivity within the region. Additional road projects are planned under county development initiatives, including the expansion of road networks through construction and maintenance of bitumen and gravel roads.

In neighboring Bungoma County, the Kanduyi-Makutano road is among the infrastructural projects earmarked for upgrading under the Kenya Urban Support Programme (KUSP), funded by a World Bank grant of KSh 300 million. While this project is not within Matungu Constituency, it represents the type of infrastructure development occurring in the broader western Kenya region.

Utilities and Economic Infrastructure.

The county development plan includes provisions for:

Last-mile electricity connectivity.
Development of new water schemes and rehabilitation of existing ones.
Installation of high-mast flood lights at strategic market centers to promote a 24-hour working economy.

These initiatives aim to improve basic services and create conditions favorable for economic growth within areas including Khalaba ward.

Economic Development Support.

To enhance economic opportunities for residents, Kakamega County has initiated several programs that benefit constituencies including Matungu:

Provision of affordable credit through the Kakamega County Micro Finance Corporation, with plans to devolve services to the Ward Level.
Fast-tracking construction of markets and provision of unified business licenses.
Acquisition of an Integrated Revenue Management System to increase Own Source Revenue.
Agricultural support through subsidized farm inputs and farmer training.

These initiatives are designed to create economic opportunities and improve livelihoods across Kakamega County, including in Khalaba ward.

Political Representation.

Khalaba ward is represented at the County Assembly level by MCA Majimbo Okumu. The current Member of Parliament for Matungu Constituency is Honorable Peter Oscar Nabulindo, who was elected in 2021 representing the ANC party and later moved to ODM in 2022. Historical representation of Matungu Constituency includes:

J.P. Wamukoya (1997, KANU).
David Were (2002-2017, through various parties including NARC, ODM, and NFK).
Justus Makokha Murunga (2017, ANC).

Peter Oscar Nabulindo (2021-present).

Conclusion.

Khalaba ward in Matungu Constituency represents a small but integral part of Kakamega County’s administrative and economic landscape. While specific real estate pricing data for the area is limited in the search results, the ward benefits from broader infrastructure and economic development initiatives implemented at the county level. The primarily agricultural economy, centered around sugarcane production, shapes much of the area’s economic activity, while recent and planned infrastructure investments aim to improve connectivity, access to utilities, and economic opportunities for residents.

As Kakamega County continues to implement its development agenda, areas like Khalaba ward stand to benefit from improved roads, utility access, and economic support programs. These developments may, in turn, influence real estate values and investment opportunities in the coming years, though current formal real estate market activity appears limited based on available search results.

1. What are the current trends in house prices in Namamali?

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

3. Are there any upcoming infrastructure projects planned for Kholera?

4. What are the average land prices per acre in Koyonzo?

5. How do house prices in Manda-Shivanga compare to other areas in Matungu Constituency?