About
Kisii is a regional centre in southwestern Kenya, the main town of Kisii County. It is a place to visit for its working life as much as for any single sight, and it is best known for soapstone carving.
What draws visitors
The town's best-known craft is soapstone carving. Carvers in and around Kisii shape the soft stone into small figures, bowls and decorative pieces, and the workshops and sellers are a natural place to see the work in progress and to buy something made locally. Looking at the pieces up close shows how much patience the craft requires.
Practical notes
- Type of visit: a town stop rather than a sightseeing destination, suited to a few hours or an overnight break.
- Why go: to see soapstone carving and to spend time in a regional centre of southwestern Kenya.
- Setting: Kisii sits in Kisii County, East Africa, and works well as a base for exploring the surrounding area.
Plan your time around the craft, and take a little extra time to walk the town and talk with the people who make and sell the carvings. A visit to Kisii is most rewarding for travellers interested in local craftsmanship and everyday life in western Kenya.