Study visits

The study visits, as part of the main conference programme, will take the delegates to see three sites in the Kiumu area, namely the Old Railway Terminus, Kachok Dumpsite and Dunga Beach. 

Old Railway Terminus

The delegates will leave Imperial hotel, the venue of the conference at 14:00 EAT to the old railway terminus at the shores of the lake. Here the delegates will remain on board the buses. The terminus was used to connect to the port and the greater east Africa. Kenya-Uganda Railway helped make Kisumu one of the most important towns in Kenya and the Great Lakes region. However, with the collapse of the East African Community, spelt the death of the port and railway terminus. To date it is in derelict state and therefore one of the collaborative research at Mistra Urban Futures is to explore alternative use of the facility to improve the livelihood of the people of Kisumu and East Africa at large. 

Kachok Dumpsite

From the railway station, the delegates will head for Kachok dumpsite, one of the flagship project sites in Kisumu with focus to curb the menace of handling solid waste in the city. Right in the middle of the city, the dumpsite welcomes one with unmistakable stench. It makes the city lose aesthetic value. The stadium right next to this site loses revenue due to underutilization. The dumpsite is a source of livelihood and a home to a number of waste operators. The research at this site is geared towards offering a long-term solution to the solid waste management in the city. At the dumpsite, the delegates will interact with various stakeholders, including city officials and waste pickers and learn from their operations.

Dunga Beach

The delegates will then proceed to the Dunga Beach. Spending time by the beach never seems to get outdated, and Kisumu gives that amazing experience. Dunga village, gives you a spectacular and breath taking view of the large expanse of Lake Victoria and a distant Homa Hills. A boat ride will complete one’s tour as an excellent experience. Tranquil waters await participants as one walks through the wetland walk board. Delicacies of freshly cooked fish and local vegetable in the accompaniment bread made of maize floor would be available to the participants at pocket friendly rates.

Dunga beach will give the delegates an opportunity to experience the success story of co-production in action. It is at Dunga that the community embraced the research collaboration for the benefit of improving the livelihood of the local fishermen out of their indigenous economic activity.