History of Kitui
About Kitui Way Back When
A Brief History of Kitui County
According to native accounts all Akamba came from Ulu in Machakos County. All those of Kitui maintain this; elsewhere it is said they came from Taita, but it seems more probable that the Wateita are an offshoot of the Akamba. Not so long ago, probably not more than a century ago, there was an immigration from Machakos across the Athi River into what we now called Kitui. In dialect, too, that of Kitui is most nearly related to the Machakos dialect. According to native legend they had for long tried to cross River Athi, which they say was unfordable in those heydays.
Renowned through history as skilled hunters, traders, and artisans, with a rich cultural heritage for intricate wood carvings, medicinal practices, and a strong sense of community, the Kamba nation, estimated at about 4.6 million, make up, by sheer weight of numbers, one-tenth of Kenya’s peopling. Bantu by origin, living in the eastern and southeastern regions, primarily in Makueni, Kitui and Machakos counties, the genial and soft spoken Kamba, mingled with the quiet hospitality of the neighboring Swahili nation, also have a history rooted in long-distance trade.
The name Kitui is attributed to the Kamba iron-smiths who settled there long before colonial rule. What would later be demarcated as Kitui District was initially part of Ukamba Province. At the Yatta settlement around Maviani hill there lived a chief called Kivoi who is said to have been the sole chief of the Akamba of that time. When Dr. Krapf came to Kitui in about 1850, Kivoi volunteered to take him through on a journey northwards, but on the way they were attacked and Kivoi was killed; Dr. Krapf escaped and returned, but met with a very poor welcome!
At that time the Galla inhabited Kitui as far west as the Mutito hills. The Akamba made uninterrupted war against them and they were gradually driven back and robbed of their cattle until they seem to have retired into their own country. The Akamba say they would have followed them but for the Europeans. The Galla were weak in numbers but they were fierce and warlike, so that it is evident that although the Akamba outnumbered them they must have been considerably more combined at that time than they are now. The Galla are to this day hated by the Akamba by reason of their habit of mutilating the bodies of their fallen enemies.
Traces are to be found still, particularly in the stock of the Akamba that is largely Galla. At Endau they are said to be entirely Galla cattle. Still and all, their most formidable rival was the maasai, who found them easy prey. Thus it was that the Akamba had no chance against the Masai, in Machakos, on the other hand, the natives successfully withstood and defeated them, and yet in no country did the Masai stand a poorer chance than in Kitui; here the dense bush afforded every advantage to those armed with the bow and poisoned arrow – and for plains roaming Maasai great hindrances for their weapon of choice, the feared spear.
Kitui District was established in 1895, being hived-off the former Ukamba Province alongside Makueni and Machakos counties. It became part of Eastern Province after Kenya’s independence. The district was known for its ironworking traditions, with the name “Kitui” itself meaning “a place where iron goods are made” in the Kamba language. Over time, parts of Kitui District were subdivided into Mutomo, Mwingi, and Kyuso districts. Three decades later, as the colonial policies grew, in 1925, the Local Native Councils (LNCs) were established, focusing on education.
Thus there was fierce fighting for long in Kitui, and in addition to this there were armed Arab caravans which carried off slaves and ivory unhindered. The end to all this came in 1898, when the Government station was built. It did not take long then to put a stop to the fighting and warfare, though, strangely, similar outbreaks would occur, the last known raid having been made on the Galla by the people of Ndatani about 1906; there is a Galla girl taken in this raid still living in the place.
No sooner had law and order been more or less established than a severe famine broke out, which became the more fatal as it was accompanied by an epidemic of small-pox. During this time thousands must have died of starvation and disease. Numbers wandered into Kikuyu, where many of them have remained, but the largest migration was to the coast where the Rabai Akamba are mostly such as left Kitui to escape the famine. In the outlying areas unlimited lawlessness reigned and the claims for cattle and women dating from that time are numberless.
During the British colonial reign over Kenya, the now defunct Kitui District was divided up into 23 location, each with its own Chief. Unlike their neighboring communities Kitui Kamba were, as a tribe, pleasant, likeable and totally loyal. They also made excellent soldiers and policemen, taking eagerly to discipline and service. Their contribution in the King’s African Rifles during the Second World War was greater than that of any other community in Kenya and possibly the singular greatest contribution was made by Senior Chief Kasina of Migwani.
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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Explore Destinations in Kitui County
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.
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