Kisii, Kenya

Kisii municipality sits right at the centre of the western Kenya tourist circuit that includes the Tabaka Soapstone Carvings, Maasai Mara, Ruma National Park and part of the Lake Victoria Basin.

It was later named Bosongo, it originated from 'Abasongo' (to refer to the British or Whites) who lived in the town during the colonial times.

The Nubians, Arabs, Luo, Luhya, Kuria, Kikuyu, Kamba, Somali, Asian and Kalenjin make up a minority of residents.

Crops and fruit cultivated around the area include maize, managu, beans, bananas, pineapples, avocados, pawpaws etc.

Kisii is the fastest growing town in western Kenya due to its high population, political stability and general tranquility.

Moreover, like many of Kenya's major urban centres, there is an influx of numerous other business ventures such as the hospitality sector with hotels, bars, restaurants, sports pubs, among other commercial activities.

However, chartered flights mainly from Nairobi's Wilson Airport transport passengers to Kisii's Suneka Airstrip situated 9 km (6 mi) southwest of the town centre.

From Kisii, it is easy to get to Tabaka Soapstone quarries, the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in Narok County, Lambwe Valley Game Reserve in Homa Bay County, Kisumu, Lake Victoria, and the Kenya/Tanzania or Kenya/Uganda border points.

The city frequently receives thunderstorms, and some thirty people in Kisii die each year from lightning strikes because of their frequency and because many of the area's structures have metal roofs.

Football (soccer) of Kenya Premier League status is played at Gusii Stadium and other surrounding grounds.

This trend is one of the remnants of a tradition that was borrowed from former British settlers by the emerging Kenyan Africa-educated and elite.

A portion of larger Kisii Golf Club's course was open for public recreation by the local authority for a couple of years.

Immediate availability of land for commercial or residential development has been the greatest challenge facing its longtime residents and potential investors.

The Kisii Sports Club which claims to have responsibility of managing the golf has put up adequate and viable legislation to govern the green space.

Location of Kisii Town in Kenya
Kisii Town in the 60s
Capital roundabout
Kisii town as seen from Getembe
Soapstone carvings shop in Kisii
Shabana FC celebrating
Kisii Golf Course (Erera)