Get premium membership and access revision papers with marking schemes, video lessons and live classes.

Processing. Please wait.

Functions of kisumu and factors which contributed to its development into a Leading Lake Port.

Answer Text:
Kisumu (A Lake Port).
- It’s the largest port of E. Africa.
- Located on the E. shores of L. Victoria on the Winam Gulf.
- Third largest city after Nairobi and Mombasa.
- Started as a small fishing settlement called Ugowe Bay.
- Later, the settlement developed into a port called Port Florence after the completion of the railway from Kilindini to Mombasa.
- Port Florence later came to be known as Kisumu
Factors Which Contributed To Its Development into a Leading Lake Port.
1. Settlement of Asians after the railway reached there who later built shops to cater for Africans needs (Bombay of Kenya).
2. Location on the shores of L. Victoria which
ensures adequate supply of water for domestic and industrial use.
3. Availability of H.E.P. from Uganda which has enabled industries to grow and expand.
4. Being a lake port which handles regional trade across the lake.
5. Development of industries and trade which has attracted many job seekers thus increasing the population.
6. Surrounding areas are highly populated thus acting as a pool of labour for industries and market for products.