What to see in Kitui than Ironsmiths
What to see in Kitui than Ironsmiths : After more than a hundred years, Kitui has all the signs of a future city, but its legendary ironsmiths are long gone or on the verge of going extinct because old cultures have been replaced by more “progressive”. These markets, are such attractive because of the things they sell, that every tourist should explore on a Kenya safari.
Kalundu.
The Kalundu market in Kitui town is open every Monday, which is market day.
Monday is market day at Kalundu market in Kitui town, so the doors are open. In June 2017, Kamene Kakai, a resident of Kalundu, tried to sell an owl at the market for KES 250 to feed her five children who were going hungry. The market was otherwise a normal open-air market selling the usual farm produce you’d expect to find in a dry area.
She walked 15 km to Kalundu market in the hopes that someone would buy the bird, but in Kamba land, owls are thought to bring bad luck. Many bad things happen when you see it, so she should have known from the start that she had no chance of making the sale. But she tried anyway, for her kids.
Zombe.
Zombe does sell farming goods, but livestock is what most people come here to buy and sell. Farmers bring their goats and cows to the market every Tuesday, ready to sell them to the person who can offer the best price.
Every market has some outsiders who come to sell a variety of smaller, more fancy-looking home items, most likely from China. Zombe is no different.
There are so many of these shoes that almost every tribe has its own name for them. They are known as Akalas in Luo and Nyamoga in Kikuyu. This type was a more modern style, with nice padding on the bottom and beads to finish off the fancy look.
As with any market, Zombe has a lot of outside vendors who come to sell a variety of goods, such as the famous sandals made from car tyres.
This is what’s left of Kyuluni Market. It’s on the road to Zombe that can be used in any weather. There is a big part of the market that looks like the ruins of an old civilization.
This is what’s left of Kyuluni Market. It’s on the road to Zombe that can be used in any weather.
The market was closed because of a 172 km road building project going on between Kibwezi and Kitui and Migwani. Many buildings had to be torn down to make room for the road, which will likely cost 18 billion Kenyan shillings when it’s finished.
Also, between Kyuluni market and Kitui town, at least 38 bodies will have to be dug up so the road can go through. This is what I think people mean when they say “progress comes at a cost.”
The famous 183 M (600 F) high Nzambani Rock can be found a few turns past Kyuluni and about 10 KM from Kitui. It’s known as Ivia ya Nzambani in the area.
The famous 183 M (600 F) high Nzambani Rock can be found a few turns past Kyuluni and about 10 KM from Kitui.
The rock, which is full of myths and mysteries, is a famous spot in Kitui. People who live there say that if you go around it seven times, you’ll change gender.
Mwingi market is on Wednesdays, and women sellers work hard to get their farm goods sold.
Many good things have happened at Mwingi Market over the years. At one point, when the Ukambani drought was at its worst, animals in this market were being sold for very little money.
Back then, a bull could bring as little as KES 4,000. The Kenya Meat Commission (KMC), which is part of the government and is in charge of selling cattle, stepped in and offered the higher price of KES 8,000. Too bad that only a few farmers profited.
Kabati.
The Kabati market has more goods and more choices. This might be because it is closer to Thika town, which is bigger. This market is open most of the time on Thursdays, and there have been some dramatic events that have nothing to do with agriculture.
People in the area still remember how, in April 1998, President Moi asked to be a guest at Nyenze’s house, which was not normal. Nyenze had, of course, refused, and he had even hinted to the president that there were better places to stay. The president told Nyenze that he didn’t mind “sleeping in whatever rural house or ramshackle” the politician had.
You can check out Kitui’s new digging scene if you have time. Large amounts of coal have been found in Mui Basin. The kind that makes less heat when burned is called “low-energy.”
In either case, plans are in place to use it to power the 1,000 MW Lamu Coal Power Station and the 960 MW Kitui Coal Plant. In this area, some Sulphur has also been found while limestone is being taken out of Mutomo.
Kitui has a good selection of places to stay for all kinds of prices. The Kitui Premier Resort and Parkside Villa costs between KES 1,740 and KES 5,800, which is pretty pricey.
Try the Githeri at this place called Kavoka. It used to be a military restaurant of sorts. I’m sure it will be quite an experience for you when you are served a mix of corn and peas instead of the normal beans. Or, go to the Second Wife Fast Food in Kitui’s central business district, if only to try being treated like a second wife!
