Geographical Location and Size
Sirisia Consituency, Bungoma County is a rural constituency in Western Province. Elgon, Kanduyi, Bumula, Tongaren, Kimilili and Webuye. Sirisia is on the western side bordering Mt. Elgon, Kabuchai, the neighboring Busia County through Malakisi and the neighboring country – Uganda through Lwakhakha border point. The constituency covers a total area of 213.20 Square K
ilometers. Lwandanyi Ward (85.60 Sq Km) is the largest, followed by Malakisi/ South Kulisiru (80.40 Sq Km) and then Namwela Ward (47.20 Sq Km). Population
The total population is approximated to be 102, 422 people. Within Sirisia constituency, Lwandanyi Ward accounts for approximately 39, 802 people, Malakisi / South Kulisiru Ward accounts for 35, 067 people and Namwela Ward accounts for approximately 27, 553 people. Age distribution
The population of those less than 18 years in the constituency is 44% while those aged 18 – 55 years account for 39%. Those above 55 years are 18%. 20 – 26 age groups form the highest populations in the constituency. Topography and climate
Sirisia is semi – arid owed to the water challenges in most parts of the constituency heavily attributed to poor planning and management of the water infrastructure. The topography still exhibits vast lands with rich lands and volcanic loam soils that can sustain crop farming owed to bordering the Mt. Elgon highlands. The climate allows short rains from August through to October. Long rains come in April making it a highly potential agricultural area. Besides agriculture, there is subsistence horticulture practiced in pockets across the constituency. Infrastructure
Sirisia constituency has a poor road network. Not one single major road is tarmarced in the entire constituency. The main road is the Chwele – Sirisia – Lwakhaka road which is in a pathetic state. Other major roads are the Mayanja – Bisunu – Sirisia and the Sirisia – Malakisi roads which remain in unpalatable status. The status of the infrastructure has hindered meaningful development in the constituency besides seeing through the demise of potential industries and economic activity. Poverty and economic activities
Sirisia constituency is ranked among the least developed and poor constituencies both in Bungoma County and Nationally. The constituency has one of the highest populations living below the poverty index line. Agriculture, Livestock farming and horticulture are the main economic activities. The main agricultural products are maize, beans, tomatoes, cabbages, kales, potatoes, peas and ground nuts mostly sold at Chwele and Sirisia markets. Farmers keep cattle, goats, sheep and poultry; few in zero grazing while most in traditional non-economic mindset. Sirisia initially practiced cash crop farming with investments in cotton, coffee and tobacco. This has since seen major decline owing to the collapse of the cotton sector, dwindling fortunes for coffee farmers and withdrawal of subsistence and field support by the tobacco companies. Given reason, some of these activities can be commercially revived to see the industrialization of the constituency. Education
There is imbalance of opportunity between girls and boys in Sirisia in quality education facilities as well as performance. On average more boys than girls go for higher education with the constituency registering higher numbers in girl child dropout rates than that of boys. Girls’ education is therefore a priority area in the constituency. One solution is to establish a center of excellence for education of the girl child. The constituency lacks a proper tertiary training facility. Besides Sirisia Technical Training Institute (which lacks capacity), there is no other tertiary institution to cater for the large numbers that cannot access university and mid-level colleges for various reasons. There is need to build capacity in the TTI, and establish other entities to cater for entrepreneurship and mentorship programs. Health
Life expectancy is at 56 years with an infant mortality rate of 43.1 per every 1000 live births whereas the under 5 – years mortality rate is at 83 per every 1000. An average household size is 5.8 people. The constituency has two public health facilities. Water
The constituency ranks low in the number of households using piped water. Despite the availability of water from River Malakisi and Ndakalu, many households and public amenities still suffer water shortage owed mostly to poor planning and limited utilization of the resources available. Capacity building is required to improve the status in the constituency. Being a region whose main economic activities are agriculture, horticulture and livestock farming, water is a priority area for investment as envisaged later in this plan. Lighting and energy
Only 17% of households in Sirisia constituency use electricity for lighting. The national grid goes through the three main roads of Chwele – Sirisia – Lwakhaka, Sirisia – Malakisi – Changare – Korsiandeti and the Mayanja – Bisunu – Sirisia routes. Capacity can be built to increase the usage. Most of the population uses firewood, paraffin and charcoal as their main sources of fuel. The use of electricity and other sources like solar and gas is minimal. Post and telecommunications
There is one main post office in Sirisia Town. The telephone network is available in most of the places adjacent to the main roads. Other means of communication especially in shopping centers are mobile phones and internet. Mobile telephone boosters are present especially along the highway and other major roads making communication easy and therefore enhancing socioeconomic development.
