Kondele’s Quiet Revolution
By James Okoth
As the sun dips behind the Kisumu skyline, Kondele begins to stir in a rhythm of its own. Motorbike engines fade into the distance as the scent of frying fish mingles with the cool night breeze.
In the middle of it all, beneath a modest bodaboda shade by day, a new kind of life emerges.
By night, that same shade transforms into one of Kondele’s busiest eateries, an open-air diner alive with laughter, stories and the clatter of plates.
At the centre of this nocturnal symphony stands Betty, her hands swift and sure as she flips fish and shapes chapati with practised ease. Her team of two energetic young men and a spirited young woman move around her like clockwork, every gesture a testament to a new Kondele that believes in itself again.
“We used to fear the night,” Betty says with a smile. “Now, it’s when we thrive. Kondele has found peace and found business, too.”
Kondele’s Thriving 24-Hour Economy
Kondele today stands as one of Kisumu’s most remarkable stories of renewal. Historically viewed through the lens of tension and unrest, the area was often misunderstood as a hotspot of confrontation during politically charged moments. Yet beneath that reputation has always lived a resilient, hardworking and entrepreneurial community.
Over the years, deliberate efforts by the County Government of Kisumu, in collaboration with local leaders, business people and community organisations, have transformed Kondele into a thriving 24-hour economy. The improvement of street lighting, roads, drainage and market infrastructure has boosted both safety and investor confidence.
Kisumu Deputy Governor, Dr Matthews Owilli, speaking exclusively to The Western Insight, said:
“Kondele’s growth reflects what is possible when government and citizens work together. The transformation wasn’t by luck. It was by design, through deliberate investment in peace and enterprise.”
Today, Kondele hums with activity day and night — from matatu operators and eateries to entertainment joints, salons and small-scale traders. This round-the-clock economy has not only created employment for thousands of youths and women but also strengthened the local revenue base. Kondele now serves as a symbol of how peace and enterprise can coexist to drive inclusive urban growth.
A Past Rewritten
Just a few years ago, peace here was a distant dream. The name Kondele evoked tension — a place the media once described as volatile, unpredictable and politically charged.
The defining moment came in 2022, when then–Deputy President William Ruto made a daring campaign stop. His convoy snaked into the heart of Kondele, greeted by a restless crowd. Within moments, chaos erupted. Stones rained, teargas filled the air, and the Deputy President had to be whisked away. That day etched Kondele’s reputation deeper into the nation’s memory as a no-go zone.
But like a phoenix rising from its ashes, Kondele refused to remain defined by its past.
When President Ruto returned years later, now under a broad-based government forged with Raila Odinga, the same streets that once spat fire now sang with cheers. His return was symbolic — the moment Kondele was finally ready to let go of its ghosts.
Peace as Policy
“Kondele’s progress is proof that peace is an asset and not an abstract idea. It’s a development tool,” Dr Owilli says.
He adds that the County is now scaling similar initiatives across Kisumu:
○ Strengthening urban infrastructure to support 24-hour business operations.
○ Expanding youth and women empowerment programmes to channel energy towards enterprise and innovation.
○ Promoting investment and industrial growth through SME hubs and industrial parks.
○ Enhancing lighting and security to ensure traders and residents feel safe even at night.
○ Supporting community-led peace structures that promote dialogue and early conflict resolution.
“These are not just projects,” he emphasises. “They are the foundation of a stable, prosperous county.”
Lessons for the Nation Ahead of 2027
Kondele’s transformation offers profound lessons for Kenya as the country approaches the 2027 elections. For many years, the name “Kondele” was synonymous with political tension — a symbol often invoked during election seasons when youth frustrations were exploited for political ends.
Through deliberate peacebuilding, youth empowerment programmes and sustained community engagement, that image has changed. The residents themselves have chosen peace, dialogue and hard work over division and confrontation. Civil society groups, religious leaders and administrators have played key roles in nurturing this new identity.
“Peace is not accidental,” Dr Owilli reminds. “It’s deliberate. It thrives where there is inclusion, fairness and opportunity.”
As we move toward 2027, Kondele stands as a living reminder that no political ambition should ever come at the cost of community harmony and that development is impossible in the absence of stability.
A City Reborn
When people start eating together, they stop fighting. That philosophy is alive in Kondele’s makeshift eateries and late-night barbershops.
Barbershops hum well past midnight, green grocers count their earnings under streetlights, and boda riders ferry passengers across Kisumu even in the quietest hours. The night is no longer something to fear — it’s an opportunity.
From “Darfur” to “the Beacon of Peace,” Kondele’s story is not about forgetting pain but transforming it. It’s about a community choosing courage over fear, enterprise over anger, and dialogue over division.
As midnight deepens, Betty’s eatery still hums with life. The smell of tilapia drifts into the night, blending with the laughter of strangers turned friends.
In that laughter, one can hear the heartbeat of a new Kondele — steady, hopeful, and finally at peace with itself.
“Kondele teaches us that real transformation begins at the grassroots,” says Dr Owilli. “When citizens take ownership of peace, government simply becomes a partner in progress.”
