Merikan

Merikan is a small, rural settlement situated in the Nyanza Province of western Kenya, approximately 12 kilometres north of the town of Kisumu. The community lies along the flat plains adjacent to the Kisauni River and is part of the Kisumu County administrative division. Merikan covers an area of roughly 4 square kilometres and has a population of about 8,500 residents, according to the 2019 Kenyan census. The demographic composition is predominantly Luo, with a significant minority of Kalenjin and Bukusu peoples. English and Kiswahili are commonly spoken, while Luo remains the primary language within households.

The local economy of Merikan is mainly agricultural. Rice, maize, and cassava are the staple crops cultivated on the fertile alluvial soils, while livestock rearing, especially cows and goats, provides supplementary income. In recent years, small-scale fish farming along the Kisauni River has emerged as an alternative livelihood. The settlement hosts a weekly market that attracts traders from surrounding villages, offering fresh produce, livestock, and artisanal goods. The community’s agricultural products are sold both locally and in the nearby commerce centre of Kisumu.

Merikan has a primary health clinic and a primary school, with secondary education facilities located in the neighbouring town of Kisumu. Infrastructure development has been slow, but ongoing projects by the county government aim to improve road access and water supply. Cultural life revolves around Luo traditional music, dance, and community gatherings, often held at local churches or open air venues. The Merikan Community Council, elected every four years, oversees local governance and mediates disputes among residents. The settlement’s name is believed to derive from the Luo word "Merik," meaning "a place of water," a reference to the river that sustains the community’s agriculture and daily life.