Kitutu Chache North: The Once Chang'aa Prone Constituency Receiving 'Unparalleled' Growth

BY ERIC ABUGA

For years, Kitutu Chache North Counstituency has been well known for production and consumption of changaa; an illicit traditional spirit which has been a significant and ongoing social and public health problem in the larger Kisii County.

In the past, the area has been unfortunately linked to instances of violence against elderly individuals, particularly women, who have been accused of witchcraft. 

These acts are often attributed to traditional beliefs, though other factors like disputes over land and family conflicts have also been identified as contributing factors. 

Currently the Counstituency is a major focus area for significant road expansion and upgrade projects, with plans to tarmac over 64 kilometers of roads to bitumen standards. 

These projects, spearheaded by area MP Japheth Nyakundi in collaboration with the national government and agencies like the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA), aim to boost connectivity and economic growth in the largely agricultural region.

In recent years, the constituency has seen significant development efforts, particularly in infrastructure, education and access to electricity. 

Other than roads, the area has seen the construction of new educational facilities, aiming to transform the area into a center of progress.

Widely considered the youngest MP from the Kisii region in the current Kenyan Parliament (elected in 2022), Nyakudi has been described as one of the young, hardworking leaders in the national assembly. 

Nyakundi iss aid to have lobbied for the tarmacking of nearly all major roads in the Counstituency opening up the once sleepy region.

Marani-Sombogo-Kegogi Road, a crucial road aimed at facilitating the transport of tea leaves to the Sombogo Tea Factory, is already complete. 

Other major road proejcts in the area include; Metembe-Owalo-Nyakongo-Mbanda, Gesieka-Nyaore-Nyakoe Road linking to the main A1 Kisumu Highway and Ragogo-Bumburia-Kegogi and Monyerero-Bobaracho Roads.

Others are; Mbanda-Ngenyi and Marani-Ititi and Kegogi - Nyakoora-Engoto-Nyakongo (Gamba) Road which was successfully tarmacked shortly after the 2022 general election.

The MP says; "I came to power with a clear picture of what was hindering our growth. For years our people yearned for servant leadership. It is true the area was, for years, off the Kenya Power grid, glad my people now enjoy electricity connectivity."

The MP explains that poverty levels in the Counstityency was hitting high. "Infrastructure development is key for the growth of our economy. You can't have students perfoming well when exposed to poor school infrastrcuture. Same way we can not have an empowered community with poor road network."

The Counstituency has for years struggled with poor academic results in national examinations; inadequate infrastructure, socio-economic factors, and concerns about local leadership have largely been attributed as factors that had been contributing to the dismial perfomance among schools froms the area. 

Nyakundi's development initiatives have earned him praise from some residents and a "Certificate of Excellence and Performance" as one of Kenya's best-performing MPs in a 2025 ranking.