COMMUNICATION

Mbale is strategically placed on the highway midway between Kisumu and Kakamega both half an hours drive away. It is bound on either side by the even busier Majengo and Chavakali markets less than ten-minute drives away. Luanda town, on the busy Kisumu-Busia-Uganda highway is also half an hours drive away. Maseno university is just a few kilometers away from Luanda lying on the equator.

Two roads branch off Mbale town on either side of the highway taking you into the interior- on one side through Mbihi into Bunyore and, on the other side, through Kegoye-Gisambai leading to Mudete (on the Chavakali-Kapsabet-Eldoret road), Hamisi on to Nandi and Tiriki. In short the whole district is easily accessible from this town.

There are daily flights from Kisumu airport to Nairobi. One can then connect flights to domestic and international destinations.

Most bus companies have booking agents at the bus stage. You can buy a ticket to Nairobi at any time of the day. Easy coach has a booking office next to Mbale motel and Equity bank. Akamba Bus Services have their office in Majengo. If you take the 8pm bus you will be in Nairobi by 6am.

If you are travelling to Mombasa it is usually better to book from Kisumu or Kakamega. From Kisumu buses depart at 5pm and arrive in Mombasa by 6am.

If you want to go to our sister town in Uganda you can get a matatu from Kisumu or Luanda to the border town of Busia or use the Kakamega-Bungoma-Malaba-Tororo-Mbale route.

You can also get to Kogelo using the Luanda-Kisian-Ramba route!!

There are many small bureaus offering computer typing services. However computer access is problematic. Like most locals, you'll be better off with a WAP-enabled phone or USB modem for your notebook. The mobile phone network coverage is excellent with strong reliable signals from all the carriers and fast 3G on Safaricom and Orange.

All the national radio and TV stations have strong signals in this town including BBC world service. Nobody tunes in to AM or shortwave any more, the whole country having quietly transitioned to FM. Enzogu Sports Bar and Mbale Motel have DSTV so you can catch all your favourite international games.

The post office is situated in the middle of the town from where you can post your snail mail.

G4S is a courier company with offices near the police station, opposite Twins Bar. They deliver packages to all the major towns in the country.