Kholera Ward: A Comprehensive Profile of Matungu Constituency's Second-Largest Ward.

Kholera Ward sits at the heart of Kenya’s sugarcane belt within Matungu Constituency, offering a unique blend of agricultural productivity and historical significance. This analysis explores the geographic, demographic, economic, and development aspects of this ward, with particular attention to property markets and infrastructure developments as of April 2025.

Locations > Kakamega > Matungu > Kholera

No properties found in this location.

Geographic and Administrative Context.

Kholera is one of the five wards that constitute Matungu Constituency in Kakamega County, western Kenya. With an area of approximately 61.9 square kilometers, it ranks as the second-largest ward in the constituency, surpassed only by Koyonzo Ward (66.8 km²). Matungu Constituency itself occupies 275.8 square kilometers in the Lower Medium part of Kakamega County and borders Bungoma County to the North, Busia County to the West, and Siaya County to the South.

The constituency was carved out of the larger Mumias Constituency in 1997 following residents’ concerns about representation issues due to the constituency’s large size. Historically significant, Matungu serves as the burial grounds for the Nabongo’s (Kings) of the Wanga Kingdom, with the Wanga being the predominant Luhya sub-tribe in the area.

As of September 2005, Kholera had 9,479 registered voters, making it the second most populous ward in terms of registered voters in Matungu Constituency at that time. The constituency as a whole had a population of 183,544 in 2018, with projections indicating growth to 202,848 by 2022.

Economic Activities and Land Use: Agricultural Dominance.

The primary economic activity in Kholera and the broader Matungu Constituency is sugarcane production, which supplies the Mumias Sugar Company with raw materials. Beyond sugarcane, farmers in the region also cultivate:

Maize
Sweet potatoes
Tea
Ground nuts
Cassava

This agricultural focus shapes not only the economic landscape but also influences land values and property development patterns in the area.

Property Market Analysis: Land for Sale in Kholera, Matungu - Land Pricing and Transactions.

While comprehensive market data specific to Kholera is limited, land transactions do occur in the area. One documented case involved parcel No. Kholera/488 (later reassigned as N/Wanga/Kholera/911), measuring approximately 0.98 hectares, which was sold in 1976. Though the exact transaction price wasn’t clearly documented, the court proceedings mentioned figures of Kshs. 40,000 and Kshs. 30,000 as expenses incurred by the buyer.

Given the agricultural focus of the region, land values are likely influenced by factors such as:

Proximity to processing facilities (particularly Mumias Sugar Company)
Access to transportation infrastructure
Water availability for irrigation
Soil quality for sugarcane cultivation

Housing Market Trends.

While specific housing price data for Kholera is not readily available, the Kenya Bankers Association Housing Price Index (KBA-HPI) indicated a broader national trend of declining prices, with house prices dropping by 1.1% in the third quarter of 2024 compared to the previous quarter and falling 14.28% year-on-year. This occurred despite building costs rising by 9.1%, creating challenges for developers while potentially making homeownership more accessible.

According to Kenya Property Centre’s market trends report for March 2025, there was insufficient data to provide a detailed breakdown of property demand trends for houses in Kholera, Kakamega. This suggests either limited formal market activity or insufficient reporting mechanisms for this rural area.

Recent Infrastructure Development: Ward-Level Development Funding.

On April 23, 2025, Kakamega County Governor Fernandes Barasa announced the allocation of Sh20 million to every ward for development in the current financial year, including Kholera Ward. This allocation is part of a broader Sh1.2 billion development initiative for all 60 wards in Kakamega County.

The Governor made this announcement while in Kholera ward distributing subsidized fertilizer and climate-resilient maize seeds, demonstrating a focus on agricultural development in the area.

County Development Priorities.

The Kakamega County Annual Development Plan for FY 2025/26 outlines six priority areas that will impact Kholera and other wards:

Enhanced access to quality and affordable healthcare
Improved water and sanitation services
Support for wealth creation initiatives
Infrastructure development
Food security programs
Quality education provision

The plan proposes a total expenditure of KES 15.36 billion against a projected development envelope of KES 5.95 billion, with the resource gap of KES 9.41 billion to be addressed through enhanced revenue generation and partnerships with development agencies.

Healthcare Initiatives.

Governor Barasa has pledged to improve access to health services by upgrading most health facilities to level four and prioritizing public health care investment to control disease outbreaks. This focus on healthcare infrastructure is particularly relevant given the historical challenges with water-borne diseases in similar rural communities.

Water and Transportation Infrastructure.

While specific information on recent water and road projects in Kholera is limited, the county government’s emphasis on expanding road networks, connectivity, and water infrastructure will likely benefit residents of Kholera Ward in the coming years.

Conclusion.

Kholera Ward represents a microcosm of the challenges and opportunities facing rural Kenya. As the second-largest ward in Matungu Constituency, it maintains strong agricultural traditions while gradually integrating into the broader economic and infrastructure development agenda of Kakamega County.

For investors and residents, the recent allocation of Sh20 million for ward-level development signals potential improvements in infrastructure and services that could enhance property values over time. However, the agricultural character of the region means that land continues to be valued primarily for its productive capacity rather than for residential development.

Given Governor Barasa’s focus on healthcare improvements and agricultural support, Kholera appears positioned for modest but meaningful development in the coming years, though challenges related to economic diversification and infrastructure maintenance will likely persist.

1. What are the current house prices in Kholera?

2. How have recent infrastructure developments impacted property values in Khalaba?

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

4. What is the average land price per acre in Namamali?

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