Kisii: Scarce land but an economic powerhouse

Kisii County is a big producer of bananas and indigenous vegetables that find their way into markets such as Kisumu, Nairobi and Europe. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

In the early days, the whole of Kisii had no school offering sciences at A-Level and the only senior schools were Kisii High and Cardinal Otunga Mosocho.

Then came community harambees that helped send children to India in the 1980s and 1990s, and finally the US. More than two decades later, there are community schools in almost every village.

Nearly every home has two or three children who have attained a university education. Families have been pulled from poverty because of educational developments. The social and economical trickle effects in the Kisii communities are visible.

From a people with no land, the community has risen to an economic powerhouse that ventures both locally and overseas. Many have gone to foreign countries and returned home to invest.

The return on investment has seen the growth of the hospitality industry, agriculture, medical services, transport, and social stability.

Leaders are upbeat about the steady regional economic growth. Furthermore, the vibrant business community continues to grow exponentially.

The advent of devolution gave Kisii County a new lease of economic growth turning it into a large cosmopolitan town. The government had to make quick adjustments; opening the Central Bank money clearing agency centre in the town.

Kisii Governor James Ongwae says the economic transformation has been enormous in the last decade.

“We have had challenges but that has not deterred the community from getting to the top. Almost every sector of the economy is vibrant,” he said, adding that the recent establishment of the banana factory and a multipurpose processing firm will be a major game-changer.

“This completes our agricultural value chain.”

Kisii Governor James Ongwae. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

The county is a big producer of bananas and indigenous vegetables that find their way into markets such as Kisumu, Nairobi and Europe.

Despite not having attracted much government attention, the soapstone industry in the county still plays an integral role in the rural economy.

Both the national and county governments have been working to develop a soapstone factory to aid the local artisans. The town’s economy and increased transactions have also doubled.

Abdi Hassan, a businessman who operates a chain of M-Pesa shops says the town has had gradual business growth.

“The town’s business environment is close to none. We started with a single shop in 2012 and we have grown to 15 fully operational shops. This is a true picture of a successful community that has invested for generations to come,” he said.

Kisii town’s hospitality industry has also grown, with the opening of high-end hotels that attract visitors touring the South Western tourism circuit, including the Ruma Park in Homa Bay and Masai Mara Game Reserve. A hotelier in the town, Ms Isabella Lumumba, says the town has more than 10,000 beds in various hotels.

Mr Seth Anunda, who got a scholarship in 2019 for a Master’s Degree in Law in the US says most immigrants from Africa work in nursing homes. That’s why a good number of visiting Kenyans and other Africans study nursing.

A number of Indians and local medical professionals have ventured into health services, turning Kisii town into a hub in the medical field.

The town boasts more than 30 private health facilities with an almost 5,000-bed capacity. This has lessened the burden and the overflow of patients to the Kisii Teaching and Referral Hospital with a bed capacity of 950.

The County Health Executive Sarah Omache says there is much that has been achieved both in the private and public health fields.

“Investors don’t just show up; they want to get their return in investment. Kisii is a business environment for investors seeking to venture into the health sector.”

For the thousands of Kisiis living in America, the elusive quest for personal and financial independence in the West is more alluring than living at home.

Stanley Mochama displays his soapstone carvings at Tabaka, Kisii County. [Sammy Omingo, Standard]

However, after years of staying in the diaspora, they return to venture into various economic and social activities. Mr Vincent Marube left for the US in 1997 for his undergraduate course in Information Systems Management. He returned to Kenya in 2009 to venture into private business; hospitality and construction.

Upon his return, he joined the business community and opened Eco Resort in Kisii South and a building company; Vinbel, which has constructed a number of highrise buildings in Kisii town.

In 2017, he unsuccessfully vied for the South Mugirango parliamentary seat. “I returned to Kenya after I completed my post-graduate studies in Business Administration. I had no option but to return to my country and help in building our economy,” Mr Marube said.

The entertainment industry also plays a part in the economic growth of the region, with revellers travelling from as far as Migori and Kisumu to enjoy the Kisii town nightlife.

The County’s Finance Executive Amos Onderi says no sector of the economy has been left behind.

“We have an industrious workforce,” he says.

Gusii Matatu Owners Association chairman Mr George Nyariki explains that the industry employs more than 20,000 individuals.