Kisii County

A Healthful Highland

A Summa Digest of Kisii County

Located in the southwestern Kenya, the compact Kisii County is best known for its farmland landscape, vibrant culture, and major contribution to the region’s basket. Bordering Nyamira County to the north, Narok County to the south, Homa Bay County to the west, and Migori County to the southwest, Kisii County is a nexus between trade and industry. Enjoying gainful high altitude, and a hilly terrain that so famously sets it apart, it is a fertile highland, placidly content with its agrarian heritage. There are salient rivers that contribute to its booming agronomy to boot.

Resembling a drop drawn with an unsteady hand, Kisii County is comparatively small. End to end, it is only 70 km wide in the top quarter. A short drive that is easily accomplished in an afternoon’s joyride, taking to its relatively good roads that are exemplified by unrelenting curves with pretty scenery. The iconic hills, with few level patches, and dissected by sizeable rivers which form its striking dendritic pattern, are packed to the rafters with farms and homes. In spite of being the second smallest county in western Kenya, following its next-door kin Nyamira County, it is, by far, the most densely populated county in rural Kenya.

Obvious perhaps, but worth mentioning again, is that Kisii County spatially enjoys considerable geographical advantage. Away from the bulk of Kenya’s highlands, in roughly coequal altitude with the fertile Nandi Hills to the east, it is separated from the lower country of much of western Kenya to its west and, propitiously, higher than then the broad belt of the low-lying savanna country in its immediate south. This, in fusion with its size and comparative good access, has given Kisii impetus to grow faster and further than other isolated segments of highland in the region.

The principal line of communication in Kisii County is the A1 Kisumu-Kisii-Isibania Road, traversing its northern quarter south then west, which crucially links it to the counties in western Kenya, and further south to Uganda. A secondary line, the B3 Mai Mahiu-Bomet-Kisii Road traversing Kisii County crosswise from Keroka to Tabaka, links it central and southern Kenya, most prominently with Nairobi city. Except to the hilltops, the road system in much of Kisii County is fairly developed, with good black top road branching from these primary routes to every corner.

What Kisii County lacks in a developed and notable touring circuit is made up for by a temperate, productive and verdant terrain with fertile soils. And an almost perfect equatorial climate. The outcome of which is that it is best-known for its bumper and unwavering food production, which significantly contributes to the national food basket. Covering its many ridges and valleys are ever-green farms abounding with produce. The altitude in Kisii County ranges from 1,200 ms, in the west, to about 2,130 ms, in the east. The general incline is from east to west.

The predominant ethnic group in Kisii County is the Gusii (Abagusii) people. Still, the county is culturally diverse, with traditions and customs that play a significant role in the community. Concomitantly, the main languages spoken in Kisii County are Ekegusii (the Gusii language) and Swahili, with English being widely used in official and business settings. Kisii town, its largest and capital town, is a bustling commercial hub. The town hosts markets, shops, and businesses that serve the local population and surrounding regions. The vibrant trade sector includes the sale of agricultural produce, household goods, and select artisanal products.

Some of the notables hills and hillocks in Kisii County include, Nyamasibi, Sameta, Taracha Kiamwasi, Kiong’anyo, Kiongongi, Kiombeta, Sombogo, Nyanchwa, and the Kegochi. These hills are traversed by numerous permanent rivers, which flow westwards into Lake Victoria. The most noteworthy rivers are Gucha, Mogusii, Riana, Mogonga and Iyabe. The probability of drought and floods in Kisii County is remarkably low, mainly because its reliable rainfall is soaked up well by its soils, which run off the excess water through the elaborate ancient dendritic drainage.

Salient Features of Kisii County

County Number 45
Area – 1317 km2
Altitude – 5036 ft
Major Towns – Kisii, Tabaka, Ogembo
Borders – Nyamira, Narok, Homabay, Migori

Kisii County is a vibrant region with a strong agrarian base, rich cultural heritage, and a growing economy. Continued development in infrastructure, with smooth blacktop connecting major towns and rural areas, has made it accessible from all directions. Kisii County’s scenic hills, waterfalls, cottage industries and modern hotels offer opportunities for visiting a region erstwhile relegated as agrarian.