Kit Mikayi is a towering rock monument on a hilly place located a kilometer from the Kisumu-Bondo highway. Also called “The Rock of the First Wife,” Kit Mikayi depicts the rich cultural heritage of the Kakello clan of the Luo people.
Kit Mikayi was a hideout for the local independence fighters, as it has hidden caves. That is why the Kenyan government turned it into a monument in 2004. From then on, it became one of the most interesting travel destinations in Kisumu County.
Kit Mikayi Rock is a majestic work of nature rising from a fascinating hilly and rocky landscape. You need to come and view it after reading this travel guide. It discusses Kit Mikayi’s location, history, entrance fees, modern significance, and benefits of visiting.
Kit Mikayi Location
Kit Mikayi, a cultural and historic heritage rock site, is around 30 kilometers from Kisumu City. You travel along the Kisumu-Bondo Road and find the signpost of the place at Kit Mikayi Primary School’s gate.
When you reach N’gop-Ngeso Primary School, leave the highway and drive about one kilometer. The locals also call the place Kitmikaye. The rock itself is 40 meters tall and has many rocks arranged on top of each other.
The rock formation and structure create big caves and cracks that the Luos believe are homes to ancestral spirits. Before independence, the caves became a hiding place for Luo Freedom Fighters.
They would hide and discuss their private agendas here. When the white men discovered the monument, they tried to bring it down in vain.
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Kit Mikayi History
According to the Luo folklore, Kit Mikayi originated from a woman known as Mikayi. She was married to a senior man called Ngeso as a first wife. One day, Mikayi went to fetch water from a stream near the mighty rock. Its scenic beauty carried her away.
So she made a home inside the stunning rock. Soon, Ngeso, her husband, and co-wives joined her, and lived happily ever after. Another legend that explains the stone’s origin implies that the old man, Ngeso, was the first to follow his first wife to the rock.
He would habitually tour the place every morning and stay inside its cave until sunset. His other wife would take him food in the morning and afternoon. Ngeso became so fondly in love with the rock that the villagers became inquisitive.
Every time they asked the wife where her husband was, she would unhappily respond that he went to see his first wife_ Mikayi. Thus, they baptized the area “the stone of the first wife.” Another myth is that the Luo community thought the enchanting rock formation and its features depicted their polygamous culture.
The first stone represented the first wife’s house. The stone structure on the right was Nyachira’s(second wife’s) home. The left rock was Reru’s (third wife’s) house. There is a rock on the front, which represents the first son’s house (Simba).
The locals (the Kakello clan) have worshipped at the rocky site during plagues and done their initiation rituals for several generations.
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What Happens at Kit Mikayi Today?
Even today, the villagers narrate the legendary stories about the Kit Mikayi rock. The modern-day Luos inhabiting the Kit Mikayi area live in lovely huts. They welcome tourists from all over the world with joy.
The hospitable people explain how one of the tallest standing rocks on earth came to be. Kit Mikayi is a valuable government monument and a pilgrimage for the Legio Maria worshippers. They come here to fast and pray for weeks. They believe the rock could bring good fortune.
Additionally, tourists who visit the Kit-Mikayi monument are usually on their way to Ndere Island National Park. This is another tourist attraction with wild animals and birds. The locals believe that those who come here attract good fortune and prosperity. Also, the beauty of the place is indescribable and unforgettable.
Kit-Mikayi Entrance Charges
The entrance fee for the Kit Mikayi site is Ksh. 150 for adults. Kids pay a cheaper entrance fee of 50 Kenyan shillings. If you have a question about fees or something else, contact the managers of the place by phone at +254 723 285 435.
Why Visit Kit Mikayi?
Kit Mikayi is becoming increasingly popular as a top tourist destination in Kisumu. Here are the top reasons why you should go there soon:
- Study and Celebrate the Luo Culture – The locals can share much about their culture and traditions. You can explore the Kit Mikayi stone with them while hearing their stories.
- Experience Spiritual Breakthroughs – According to the locals, Kit Mikayi has supernatural powers. Visiting the place can allow you to participate in traditional ceremonies and rituals. After that, you might connect with the ancestral spirits believed to live in the caves.
- Pre-independence History – Kit Mikayi is among the most significant places concerning the struggle for independence. Visiting this place will let you see where the Luo freedom fighters used to hide from the British colonizers.
- Magnificent Landscape – The Kit Mikayi rock and its surroundings are breathtaking. From the hills to the rocks to the green vegetation, the Kit Mikayi site boasts natural beauty.
- Luo Village – There are attractive huts at the foot of the Kit Mikayi hill. The people living there can teach you their cultures and traditions. You can support their lives if you wish.
