Factors affecting the growth and development of Bungoma town

Abstract

This study examines the factors that h ave influenced the growth and development of Bungoma town. The town evolved as a small railway halting point with open air commercial activities, following the arrival of the railway line in 1925. This early communication advantage enabled the town to grow into a market centre in 1933. Despite the emergence of other service centres in the district, Bungoma continued to grow. The study has found that in choosing Bungoma for an administrative centre,communication site factors were put into consideration. The centre had good communication and was situated in a relatively infertile area where arable land would not be wasted on buildings. The town has grown into import~nce as a district headquarters and a municipality owing to this background. The ~location of district headquarters in the town and the rapid growth of commerce has influenced it to grow into a major service centre for the whole of Bungoma district. Unlike other towns such as Webuye and Mumias whicn ar~ industrial, Bungoma is largely a commercial centre.