Kisii County is county 045 of Kenya’s 47 counties, set in the highlands of the former Nyanza Province. The capital is Kisii town, and the 2019 census counted 1,266,860 residents on 1,317.9 km². The area is also called Gusii, after the Abagusii who farm its ridges.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Capital | Kisii town |
| County code | 045 |
| Population (2019 census) | 1,266,860 |
| Population (2023 projection) | 1,344,907 |
| Area | 1,317.9 km² |
| Former province | Nyanza |
| Sub-counties | 11 |
| Main languages | Ekegusii, Swahili, English |
Towns and Villages in Kisii County
Kisii town is the only large urban centre. The rest of the county is a near-continuous belt of farm settlements, trading centres and market villages spread along the ridge roads.
| Town | Type | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Kisii | County capital | 112,417 (2019 census) |
| Ogembo | Town | 20,000 (estimate) |
| Nyambunwa | Town | 13,405 (estimate) |
| Mosocho | Town | 3,824 (estimate) |
| Mogonga | Town | 3,628 (estimate) |
| Nyangusu | Town | 3,590 (estimate) |
| Magena Marabu | Town | 3,505 (estimate) |
| Tabaka | Town | 2,910 (estimate) |
| Kenyenya | Town | 2,698 (estimate) |
The gazetteer records 162 named settlements in Kisii County. All 162 are listed below.
- Abando
- Bobaracho
- Bogesaka
- Bogiakumu
- Bogitaa
- Boitangare
- Bombaba
- Bongonta
- Boruma
- Bumburia
- Buyonge
- Chironge
- Chitago
- Emenwa
- Endemu
- Eramba
- Eronge
- Etago
- Gakero
- Gasero
- Gesabakwa
- Gesieka
- Gesusu
- Getai
- Geteri
- Gianchere
- Gianchore
- Gionseri
- Gors
- Gosonso
- Gotchaki
- Ibacho
- Ichuni
- Igare
- Igembo
- Igoma
- Igonga
- Ikenye
- Ikoba
- Irondi
- Iruma
- Irungu
- Itibo
- Itierio
- Itumbe
- Kanyimbo
- Kebere
- Keberesi
- Kegati
- Kegogi
- Kenyenya
- Kenyoro
- Keumbu
- Keyo
- Kiamokama
- Kiango
- Kiareni
- Kinyoro
- Kioge
- Kiogoro
- Kiomiti
- Kionduso
- Kiongogi
- Kiorori
- Kisii
- Magena Marabu
- Magenche
- Maji-Mazuri
- Maraani
- Marani
- Marigwa
- Marongo
- Masakwe
- Masimba
- Masongo
- Matibo
- Matieka
- Matongo
- Matunwa
- Metembe
- Misesi
- Mochengo
- Mogonga
- Mogweko
- Mokubo
- Monianku
- Morhengo
- Mosocho
- Mosora
- Motonto
- Muma
- Musa Nyandisi
- Ndonyo
- Nduru
- Ngokoro
- Njoro
- Nokomon
- Nyabera
- Nyabiayo
- Nyabiosi
- Nyabite
- Nyabitunwa
- Nyabiuta
- Nyabururu
- Nyacheki
- Nyachenge
- Nyachururu
- Nyagiki
- Nyaguku
- Nyaguta
- Nyahisia
- Nyakeiri
- Nyakembene
- Nyakeyo
- Nyakoe
- Nyakora
- Nyakorere
- Nyalsia
- Nyamache
- Nyamagesa
- Nyamagwa
- Nyamamu
- Nyamarambe
- Nyamasege
- Nyamasibi
- Nyamatutu
- Nyambunwa
- Nyamesocho
- Nyamondo
- Nyangonda
- Nyangusu
- Nyangweta
- Nyankororo
- Nyansaga
- Nyansara
- Nyanturago
- Nyaronge
- Nyasembe
- Nyasore
- Nyataro
- Nyatuani
- Ogembo
- Omogumo
- Omwari
- Otamba
- Raganga
- Ramasha
- Riana
- Rigena
- Riokindu
- Rioma
- Riomoro
- Riondonga
- Riosiri
- Riteke
- Sengera
- Sensi
- Sgonyo
- Tabaka
- Tendere
- Tinga
- Zacharia
Geography
Kisii sits in the Gusii Highlands of south-western Kenya, between roughly 1,500 and 2,200 metres above sea level. The land is a maze of steep ridges and narrow valleys cut by the Gucha (Kuja) River and its feeder streams.
Rainfall is high and reliable, at 1,500 to 2,000 mm a year in two seasons, which is why the county farms year-round. Soils are deep red volcanic loams.
The county borders Nyamira County to the north-east, Narok County to the south, and Homa Bay County and Migori County to the west.
Demographics
The 2019 census recorded 1,266,860 people: 605,784 men, 661,038 women and 38 intersex residents. Density averages about 961 people per km², among the highest for a rural county in Kenya.
Only 151,410 residents were counted as urban; the other 1,115,450 live in rural settlements. Ekegusii is the first language of most households, with Swahili and English used in schools, markets and offices.
Economy and Local Life
Smallholder farming carries the county. Tea, coffee, bananas, maize, avocado and pyrethrum are the main crops, and most households also keep dairy cattle on very small plots.
Tabaka, south-west of Ogembo, is the source of Kisii soapstone. Carvers there work the soft stone into bowls, chess sets and sculpture sold across Kenya and abroad. Kisii town holds the county’s largest daily produce market.
Getting There
Kisii town stands on the A1 highway, which runs north to Kisumu and south to Migori and the Tanzanian border at Isebania. Kisumu is about 120 km away, Migori about 65 km.
Nairobi is roughly 370 km by road, usually driven through Kericho and Nakuru on the B1 and A104. The nearest scheduled flights use Kisumu International Airport.
FAQ
What is the capital of Kisii County?
Kisii town, which had 112,417 residents in the 2019 census, is the county capital and its commercial centre.
How many towns and villages are in Kisii County?
National gazetteer data records 162 named settlements, from Kisii town down to single-ridge market centres. All of them are listed above.
Which sub-counties make up Kisii County?
Eleven: Etago, Gucha, Gucha South, Kenyenya, Kisii Central, Kisii South, Kitutu Central, Marani, Masaba South, Nyamache and Sameta.
What language is spoken in Kisii?
Ekegusii is the community language. Swahili and English are used for schooling, trade and government business.
Where does Kisii soapstone come from?
From quarries around Tabaka in the south-west of the county. Carving there is a household industry and a significant local employer.
How far is Kisii from Kisumu?
About 120 km by the A1 highway, a drive of roughly two hours through Oyugis and Sondu.