Quick Answer: Kakamega County uses the postal region prefix 5, with main postal code 50100 for Kakamega Town. The county has 12 constituencies, each with dedicated postal codes. Examples include Lugari (50108), Malava (50103), Mumias West (50102), and Butere (50101). Kakamega County postal code system serves approximately 1.87 million residents across 3,034 square kilometers. The Kenya Postal Corporation established this system to organize mail delivery across the county’s diverse constituencies and areas.
Kakamega County is the second most populous county in Kenya after Nairobi, with over 1.8 million residents spread across 12 administrative constituencies. Located in Western Kenya’s postal region, the county’s well-organized postal code system ensures efficient mail delivery and government services across its diverse communities, from Kakamega Town to rural constituencies like Lugari, Malava, and Mumias.
Kakamega’s postal codes have deep historical roots. Before 1899, the region was known as North Kavirondo and served as the ancestral home of the Luhya nation. The British developed Kakamega for defensive purposes in 1903, and by 1920 it became a district headquarters. The discovery of gold in the early 1900s transformed the region economically and infrastructurally. When Kenya’s current postal code system was established in 1977, Kakamega was assigned the regional prefix 5, which remains the foundation of every postal code in the county today.
What Are Kakamega Postal Codes?
Kakamega County uses the postal region prefix 5, which identifies it as part of the Western region postal area managed by the Postal Corporation of Kenya, popularly known as Posta Kenya. This differs from Nairobi’s 00 prefix, Mombasa’s 80 prefix, or Eldoret’s 30 prefix. The format follows Kenya’s postal code structure, which is usually a standard five-digit structure: the first two digits (50) represent the broader region, while the final three digits pinpoint the specific post office or delivery zone.
For example, 50100 is the main Kakamega G.P.O. code, which can be broken down as:
5 = Western region (Kakamega County)
0 = Regional subdivision
100 = Kakamega Town GPO (General Post Office)
Kakamega County Location & Overview
Kakamega County is located in the Western part of Kenya and borders Vihiga County to the South, Siaya County to the West, Bungoma and Trans Nzoia Counties to the North, and Nandi and Uasin Gishu Counties to the East. The county covers an area of 3,034 square kilometers and is the second most populous county after Nairobi with a population of 1,867,579 people according to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census (897,133 males, 970,406 females, and 40 intersex persons).
Kakamega is the ancestral home of the Luhya nation, Kenya’s second-largest ethnic community. The county has a rich history dating back to the colonial period when the British developed Kakamega for defensive purposes in 1903, and by 1920 it had become the district headquarters. The discovery of gold in the early 1900s also contributed significantly to the region’s development and economic importance.
All 12 Kakamega Constituencies and Their Postal Codes
Kakamega County is divided into 12 constituencies for administrative purposes, each with its own postal code. Below is the complete breakdown:
| Constituency | Main Postal Code | Alternative Codes | Location |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lurambi | 50100 | 50100 | Central Kakamega |
| Mumias West | 50102 | 50100 | Western Kakamega |
| Malava | 50103 | 50115, 50132 | Eastern Kakamega |
| Khwisero | 50109 | 50100 | Southern Kakamega |
| Shinyalu | 50120 | 50100 | Southwestern Kakamega |
| Ikolomani | 50121 | 50100 | Southern Kakamega |
| Matungu | 50122 | 50133 | Southwestern Kakamega |
| Mumias East | 50111 | 50100 | Western Kakamega |
| Navakholo | 50127 | 50100 | Northwestern Kakamega |
| Lugari | 50108 | 50242 | Eastern Kakamega |
| Likuyani | 50237 | 50100 | Northern Kakamega |
| Butere | 50101 | 50129 | Western Kakamega |
1. Lurambi Constituency – Postal Code 50100
Lurambi is the main constituency where Kakamega Town (the county capital) is located. Lurambi Constituency was established for the 1963 elections and has six County Assembly Wards. The Lurambi Constituency postal address is P.O. BOX 2680 – 50100 Kakamega, Kenya. The main postal code 50100 serves as the primary delivery code for Kakamega Town and the surrounding areas.
2. Mumias West Constituency – Postal Code 50102
Mumias West Constituency has four County Assembly Wards: Mumias Central, Mumias North, Etenje, and Musanda. Mumias West postal code is P.O. Box 1087 – 50102, Mumias. This constituency is one of the key administrative areas in Kakamega County.
3. Malava Constituency – Postal Code 50103
Malava Constituency was established for the 1988 elections and has seven County Assembly Wards. The Malava Constituency postal address is P.O. BOX 281 – 50103 Malava. Some areas in Malava also use alternative postal codes such as 50115 (Kakunga) and 50132 (Lukume).
4. Butere Constituency – Postal Code 50101
Butere Constituency, established for the 1963 elections, is an electoral constituency in Kenya and one-fourth of the former Butere/Mumias District. It has five County Assembly Wards. Many areas in Butere use the postal code 50101, while some areas like Shiatsala use 50129.
5. Lugari Constituency – Postal Code 50108
Lugari Constituency was established for the 1988 elections and has six County Assembly Wards. Lugari Constituency postal code is P.O. Box 700 30106 TURBO. The primary code for Lugari is 50108, though some areas use 50242.
6. Likuyani Constituency – Postal Code 50237
Likuyani Constituency was created prior to the general election of 2013 and has five County Assembly Wards. Likuyani Constituency postal code is P.O. BOX 15 – 30205, MATUNDA. The main postal code for Likuyani is 50237.
7. Mumias East Constituency – Postal Code 50111
Mumias East is a key constituency in the Mumias region of Kakamega County. The main postal code is 50111, serving various wards and administrative units within the constituency.
8. Navakholo Constituency – Postal Code 50127
Navakholo Constituency borders Lurambi, Mumias East, Malava, Lugari, and Matungu constituencies. It has five County Assembly Wards. The Navakholo postal code is P.O. BOX 14 – 50127.
9. Khwisero Constituency – Postal Code 50109
Khwisero Constituency is located in the southern part of Kakamega County. The primary postal code for Khwisero is 50109, serving the various wards and areas within this constituency.
10. Shinyalu Constituency – Postal Code 50120
Shinyalu Constituency serves the southwestern part of Kakamega County. The main postal code is 50120, which is used for mail delivery and official correspondence in this region.
11. Ikolomani Constituency – Postal Code 50121
Ikolomani Constituency is located in the southern region of Kakamega County. The primary postal code for Ikolomani is 50121, serving the administrative and postal needs of the constituency.
12. Matungu Constituency – Postal Code 50122
Matungu Constituency was part of the former Butere/Mumias district and was established for the 1997 elections with five County Assembly Wards. The Matungu Constituency postal address is P.O. BOX 1045 Mumias. The postal code is 50122, with some areas also using 50133 (Makunga).
Major Kakamega Towns and Areas with Postal Codes
| Area/Town | Postal Code | Region | Population Centers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kakamega Town | 50100 | Central | County Capital |
| Mumias | 50102 | Western | Major Town |
| Malava | 50103 | Eastern | Market Center |
| Butere | 50101 | Western | Administrative Center |
| Lugari | 50108 | Eastern | Market Center |
| Likuyani | 50237 | Northern | Market Center |
| Kimilili | 40621 | Eastern | Market Center |
| Navakholo | 50127 | Northwestern | Administrative Area |
| Ikolomani | 50121 | Southern | Rural Area |
| Shinyalu | 50120 | Southwestern | Rural Area |
| Khwisero | 50109 | Southern | Rural Area |
| Matungu | 50122 | Southwestern | Administrative Area |
Kakamega Post Offices
| Post Office | Postal Code | Location | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kakamega Main Post Office | 50138 | Kakamega Town | 0734 690 219 / 056 31735 |
| Milimani Post Office | 50316 | Kakamega | – |
| Mumias Post Office | 50102 | Mumias | – |
| Lugari Post Office | 50108 | Lugari | 0734 690299 |
| Malava Post Office | 50103 | Malava | – |
How to Use Kakamega Postal Codes for Mail Delivery
When sending mail to Kakamega, ensure you include the correct five-digit postal code for the specific area where your recipient is located. Never use 50100 for all areas within Kakamega County, as each constituency and delivery zone has its own code. This ensures efficient sorting and timely delivery by Posta Kenya.
For formal correspondence, include:
[Recipient Name]
[Specific Area/Ward Name]
[Constituency Name]
P.O. Box [Number] – [POSTAL CODE]
Kakamega, Kenya
Complete A-Z Alphabetical Postal Code List for Kakamega
The following is a comprehensive list of major areas in Kakamega County with their corresponding postal codes:
| Area | Postal Code |
|---|---|
| Airbase | 50610 |
| Butere | 50101 |
| California | 50610 |
| Clay City | 50608 |
| Dudi | 40621 |
| Ileho | 50111 |
| Isulu | 50114 |
| Kakunga | 50115 |
| Kakamega Town | 50100 |
| Kimilili | 40621 |
| Likuyani | 50237 |
| Lugari | 50108 |
| Lukume | 50132 |
| Malava | 50103 |
| Malaha | 50122 |
| Malinya | 50123 |
| Marakusi | 50100 |
| Matungu | 50122 |
| Mumias | 50102 |
| Mumias East | 50111 |
| Mumias West | 50102 |
| Navakholo | 50127 |
| Rondo | 50100 |
| Sabatia | 20143 |
| Samitsi | 50128 |
| Seregeya | 50100 |
| Shiatsala | 50129 |
| Shimanyiro | 50131 |
| Shinyalu | 50120 |
| Soy | 50100 |
FAQs
What is Kakamega’s main postal code?
The main postal code for Kakamega County is 50100, which serves Kakamega Town (the county capital) and the surrounding central areas. This is the most commonly used code for general mail delivery to Kakamega.
How many constituencies does Kakamega County have, and do they all have different postal codes?
Kakamega County has 12 administrative constituencies, and each has its own dedicated primary postal code. However, some constituencies have multiple postal codes for different wards and delivery zones. For example, Malava (50103) also uses 50115 and 50132 for specific areas within the constituency.
What is the postal code for Mumias in Kakamega?
The postal code for Mumias West Constituency is 50102. If you need to send mail to Mumias East, use 50111. These are the primary postal codes for the Mumias region.
Which postal code should I use for Lugari Constituency?
The primary postal code for Lugari Constituency is 50108. Some areas in Lugari also use postal code 50242 for specific delivery zones. Always confirm the exact code with your recipient to ensure accurate mail delivery.
How do I find the correct postal code for a specific area in Kakamega?
You can find the correct postal code by: (1) Identifying which of the 12 constituencies the area belongs to, (2) Checking the comprehensive A-Z list in this guide, or (3) Contacting the Postal Corporation of Kenya directly. The county government office (P.O. Box 36 – 50100 Kakamega) can also provide postal code assistance.
What is the difference between Malava and Kakunga postal codes?
Malava is a constituency and uses postal code 50103. Kakunga is a specific area within Malava that uses the alternative postal code 50115. When sending mail to Kakunga specifically, use 50115 for more precise delivery.
What is the postal code for the Kakamega County Government offices?
The County Government of Kakamega’s official postal address is P.O. Box 36 – 50100 Kakamega, Kenya. You can also visit their offices at Kisumu-Kakamega Road in Kakamega Town for in-person inquiries.
Is there a postal code for Navakholo?
Yes, Navakholo Constituency uses postal code 50127. The official postal address for Navakholo is P.O. BOX 14 – 50127 Kakamega.
How do I send international mail to Kakamega?
For international mail to Kakamega, use the complete address format: Recipient Name, Specific Area, Constituency Name, P.O. Box Number – Postal Code, Kakamega, Kenya. Include “Kenya” prominently to ensure the mail reaches the correct country. International post typically takes 1-3 weeks depending on the origin country.