Discover Kisii

Kisii Municipality is the main urban and economic centre in the Gusii Highlands and the South Nyanza region. For travellers, this urban role provides an initial point of reference before turning to regional crafts such as soapstone carving in Tabaka.

Kisii as an Urban Starting Point

The 2023–2027 municipal development plan states that most roads in Kisii Town are paved. Matatus, motorcycles and bicycles are considered convenient ways to get around within the town. When planning your stay in Kisii Town, you can consider the information about the roads and local transport options together. The statement about road surfaces applies to most roads.

Soapstone Carving in Tabaka

Kisii County describes the soapstone carvings, also known as Kisii Stone, from the Tabaka region as world-famous. The works are made by skilled artisans. Travellers can buy hand-carved soapstone products such as figurines, bowls and ornaments as souvenirs. These examples show the different forms of this craft, from figurines and ornaments to bowls. If you are interested in finished pieces, you can explore a variety of designs.

Regional Context: Kisii Central District

Kisii Central District has large deposits of soapstone, also known as talc, in Tabaka in South Mugirango. The material is currently processed there exclusively into carvings. Visitors can learn about soapstone mining and the carvings made from it in Tabaka. This offers a view of the subject from the raw material and its extraction through to the finished work. This look at the production process differs from choosing a finished souvenir.

Another regional point of interest is Emanga Ridge, a historic ridge of about 100 acres that holds particular significance for the Abagusii. It forms the boundary between Kisii and Nyamira Counties; the lower part lies on the Kisii side. The focus here is on history, cultural significance and its geographical position along the county boundary. Tabaka, by contrast, is associated with soapstone mining and carving. The area of about 100 acres is roughly equivalent to 40 hectares and expresses the size of the ridge in metric terms. This makes its scale easier for you to put into perspective; the boundary description, meanwhile, identifies its location between Kisii and Nyamira Counties.

More Points of Reference in Kisii County

Daraja Mbili Market is one of the largest open-air markets in Kisii County. It adds a market to the regional points of reference, while the information about Kisii Town provides an urban perspective and Tabaka offers a link to local crafts.

Tabaka is about 24 km from Kisii Town. This distance helps you understand where the two places are in relation to each other and plan your trip around the topics that interest you most.

For the broader travel overview: Kisii Central District.