Maseno

Small western Kenyan equator town known for Maseno University, Maseno School, and green Lake Victoria countryside.

Maseno is a small town in western Kenya, sitting almost exactly on the equator near the shores of Lake Victoria. It is best known as an educational centre — Maseno University and Maseno School, one of the oldest schools in East Africa (founded in 1906), are both here.

The town itself is quiet and unassuming, surrounded by green, hilly countryside. It makes a possible stop when travelling between Kisumu on Lake Victoria and Kakamega Forest, one of the last remnants of tropical rainforest in Kenya. The university campus straddles the equator, making it one of the few places in the world where you can literally stand on the line dividing the northern and southern hemispheres.

Guide

Getting There

Maseno is about 25 km northwest of Kisumu on the road toward Kakamega. Matatus (shared minibuses) run frequently between Kisumu and Maseno throughout the day; the journey takes about 45 minutes. Private taxis from Kisumu can be arranged for a direct run, particularly useful if you have luggage. There is no direct public transport from Nairobi — the standard route is to fly or take an overnight bus to Kisumu and connect from there.

Guide

Things to Do

Maseno is a quiet town whose main interests are its educational institutions and its equatorial position. It works best as a stop on a journey between Kisumu and Kakamega rather than as a destination in itself.