Historic Churches in Kitui

Africa Inland Church Ikutha: A Nexus of AIM

In 1892, the British established a police station at Machakos, and the following year another station was opened at Kitui. This was the beginning of the colonial administration of Ukambani, but this was not the beginning of contact between Akamba and westerners. In 1849, Johann Krapf, affiliated with Church Missionary Society (CMS), set foot in Ukambani to kick the ball rolling for the new wave of Christianity in this area; a semi-arid block predominantly inhabited by Kamba people. Kraph had made it to Ukambani with the blessing and support of the influential Kamba Chief Kivoi through whom he had joined a trade convoy from Mombasa. It was on this voyage that Kraph crossed the Athi River and climbed up the Yatta Plateau where, from a vantage point near Kitui a new wonder unfolded!

On his this first expedition Kraph became the first white man to behold the snows of Mount Kenya. But on his second expedition, in 1851, his dreams were cut short when his caravan was attacked and looted, with his friends and servants killed or dispersed. The CMS would not return to Ukambani until after WW1. In 1892, the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Society led by Johannes Hoffman launched a station at Ikutha, and three years later, another at Mulango. Still and all, it was the Africa Inland Mission (AIM and later AIC), however, founded by Peter Cameron Scott and co-founded by Johannes Hoffman – at Ikutha – which was to do most of the evangelizing in Ukambani, and bankrolled many Churches in the area. This is located in Ikutha, 27 kms south of Mutomo and 47 kms northeast from Kibwezi.

You don’t have to be religious, or even spiritual, to enjoy a beautiful old church. The architecture, the stained glass, the history, and the famous graves all make visiting historic churches a fulfilling activity on any trip. Kenya has a lot of very old and lovely churches, and you can enter most of them free of charge, at any time.

Index of Historic Churches in Kenya

Baringo County - St. Swithin's Church , Elgeyo Marakwet County - Wewo Catholic Church , Homa Bay County - SDA Church Gendia , Asumbi Catholic Church , Isiolo County - St. Eusebius Cathedral , Kericho County - AIC Kericho , The Sacred Heart Cathedral , ACK Kericho , Kiambu County - St. Mary's of the Angels Church, All Saints Limuru, Watson Scott Memorial Church, PCEA Thogoto Mission Church, Kilifi County - Thomas Wakefield Memorial Methodist Church , The Portuguese Chapel , ACK Rabai Church , Kisumu County - St. Theresa’s Cathedral, Kitui County - AIC Ikutha , Lamu County - Lamu Catholic Church , Machakos County - AIC Mumbuni , Makueni County - AIC Kalamba , Kyale Catholic Church , Meru County - St. Joseph's Cathedral , Kaaga Methodist Church , Migori County - Komotobo Mission Church , Mombasa County - The ACK Mombasa Memorial Church , Holy Ghost Cathedral , ACK Emmanuel Church , Muranga County - Muranga St. James & All Martyrs Church , Tuthu Catholic Church , Nairobi County - St. Stephen Cathedral, St. Austins Cathedral, The All Saints Cathedral, Nakuru County - The Church of Goodwill Elementaita, Remembrance Church Njoro, Nyandarua County - Knessiah 7th Day Jewish Main Synagogue , Nyeri County - Tumu Tumu Hill Church, The Consolata Nyeri Cathedral, PCEA St Curthbert Church, Italian Memorial Church, Samburu County - Baragoi Catholic Mission , Siaya County - Rangala Catholic Church, Taita Taveta County - St. Marks Anglican Church , The Bura Mission Catholic Church , ACK Trinity Church Mahoo, Tana River County - Ngao Neukirchen Church , Hola Methodist Church , Tharaka Nithi County - PCEA Chogoria Church , Trans Nzoia County - St. Lukes Anglican Cathedral, St. Patrick's Cathedral, Vihiga County - Kidundu Friends Church , Kima Church of God , African Divine Church , West Pokot County - The Holy Cross Church Kacheliba , The Dini ya Roho Mafuta Pole ya Africa

Kitui County is a hidden gem for travelers seeking adventure, culture, and nature. With better infrastructure and marketing, it could become a key destination in Kenya’s tourism map. Known for its arid and semi-arid landscapes, rich Kamba culture, and untapped tourism potential, it is home to many unique attractions, hillscapes, scenic rock formations and valleys ideal for hiking and photography.

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A Guide to Kitui County

A Summa Digest of Kitui

About Kitui Way Back When

33 Destinations in Kitui County , arranged as one would visit these - north to south - with the aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:

Revelation Recreational Park , Kanyonyoo Wildlife Conservancy , B2 Yatta Ranch , Ukasi Hill , Mumoni Hill Forest Reserve , Muvaroa Forest Reserve , Gai (Muruu) Rock , Kiambere Dam , Mwingi National Reserve , Adamson Bridge , Ngomeni Rock , Kitui War Monument , Kitui Villa , Kalundu Public Park , Kitui Hills , Nzambani Rock , Ikoo Viewpoint , Mutito Hills, Mui Basin , Nuu Hills , Mutomo Hill Sanctuary , Mutomo Reptile Park , South Kitui National Reserve , AIC Ikutha , Tsavo East National Park , Athi-Galana River , Kanderi Swamp , Yatta Plateau , Ithumba Camp , Ithumba Hill Camp , The Man-eaters Bridge , Man-eaters Camp

Know More About Kitui County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

What’s The Lay Of The Land in C.15?

Kitui County has a low-lying topography with arid and semi-arid climates. The general landscape of Kitui is flat with a plain that gently rolls down towards the east.

What’s The Air Like In Kitui?

Climate in Kitui is generally hot and dry with little rainfall. Temperatures are high year-round, ranging between 14°C-34°C. The hotter months are September, October, January.

Know More About Kitui County…