Kisii, Kenya
| Kisii, Kenya | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 Kisii, Kenya
|
|
| Coordinates: 0°41′S 34°46′E / 0.683°S 34.767°E | |
| Country |
 Kenya
|
| County | Kisii County |
| Area | |
| • City | 10 km2 (4 sq mi) |
| • Metro | 29 km2 (11 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 1,700 m (5,577 ft) |
| Population (2009) | |
| • City | 200,000 |
| • Density | 2,862/km2 (7,410/sq mi) |
| • Urban | 103,000 |
| • Metro | 97,000 |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
| Area code(s) | 058 |
Kisii is a city in south-western Kenya. It is the main urban and commercial center in the Gusii Highlands and the South Nyanza region. A vibrant town, the Kisii municipality has a population of about 400,000, according to 2012 estimates. It has a large dependent metropolitan population of over 100,000 residents, as per the latest national population and housing census of 2009. Kisii town is the capital of the Kisii County. It was the headquarters of the original and larger Kisii District before it was split to create Nyamira District (in the north) and Gucha District (in the south). With the new Kenya Constitution in August 27, 2010, Gucha District was re-absorbed back into Kisii County, whereas Nyamira District has been renamed Nyamira County.
Today, it is a bustling town and a home to several businesses, organizations, educational institutions and government agencies. Kisii municipality sits right at the centre of the western Kenya tourist circuit that includes the Tabaka Soapstone Carvings, Maasai Mara Game Reserve, Lambwe Valley Game Reserve and the entire Lake Victoria basin. The town continues to serve these former districts, the larger South Nyanza County and the Trans Mara area of western Narok County in commerce.
Kisii town was originally known by the Gusii people as Getembe. It was later nemed Bosongo,and it is believed to have originated from 'Abasongo' (to mean the White people or Whites) who lived in the town during the colonial times. The town was originally established by British soldiers who were being forced to retreat from Lake Victoria by heavy gunfire from German soldiers' gunboats during the Great War in the early 20th century. Later Kisii was chosen to be the District Headquarters of the larger South Nyanza and Kisii region.
The town is predominantly inhabited by the Gusii community (also known as the Kisii), a Bantu people. The Luo, Luhya, Kuria, Asian and Kalenjin make up a minority of residents.
The population of Kisii town is currently at 200,000. It is the second most populous town in Nyanza after Kisumu. Kisii town is the eighth most populous town in Kenya.
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Wikipedia