The Legendary Rock - Kit Mikayi...

Kit-Mikayi is a rock formation, that is around 40m high situated about 29 km west of the town of Kisumu in western Kenya. It is about 1 km from the Kisumu-Bondo road. The sign board is on the gate of Kit Mikayi primary school and entrance is via N’gop-Ngeso Primary School.

Kit-mikayi means "the stone of the first woman", or "stone of the first wife", in dholuo the Luo language.

The legend behind Kit Mikayi is that: Long time ago, there was an old man by the name Ngeso who was in great love with the stone. Every day when he woke up in the morning, he could walk into the cave inside the stone and stay there the whole day, and this could force his wife to bring him breakfast and lunch every day. The old man became passionately in love with this stone to the extent that when people asked his wife his whereabouts, she would answer that he has gone to his first wife (Mikayi) hence the stone of the first wife (Kit Mikayi).

An explanation of the shape of this unique stone is that the structure represents the Luo cultural polygamous family which had the first wife’s house (Mikayi) built further in between on the right hand side was the second wife’s house (Nyachira) while the third wife’s house (Reru) was built on the left hand side of the homestead.

This rock also is seen to have a nuclear family whereby the father (Ngeso) being the middle stone followed by the bulky Mikayi (first wife), then Nyachira (second wife) followed by Reru (third wife) and further in front they have the child which is representing Simba (which is the house for the first born boy in the homestead). From a long time, this stone has been a sacred place for the villagers to worship in times of trouble.

Locals living around the stones are known as the Luo-Kakello clan. The site is associated with sacrifices and many legends from pre-Christian times, especially stories explaining the meaning of the name.

Kit-Mikayi is a regional point of sightseeing interest, especially among the neighbouring Luo tribes. 

It is also believed that in the ancient times, the rock was the home of the leader of a Luo warrior of the seme clan who has settled in that area. All weapons including spears and arrows (asere) were sharpened on the rock before the warriors could go to engage in battles with the Abaluhya and Abagusii who wanted to take over the land. Before going to war, all the warriors could convene at the rock for prayers where they would be blessed by the religious leader. The leader used to stay on the rock together with his first wife. 

It is said that all other wives would bring food in a rotational basis. The rock is arranged in such way that it forms some sort of house that has rooms ranging from bedroom to resting place.

There is a curved rock that holds water which is believed to be holy water. People come from far and wide to fetch the ‘holy water’ for cleansing and healing purposes. It also has become a popular local pilgrimage site for followers of the Legio Maria sect who come to the rock to pray, to fetch the holy water and fast for several weeks at a time. 

Entrance fee paid by visitors go towards community development. The management who are the locals are able to run the administrative cost in the office. the local women women are all widows have come together to benefit from the legendary rock. Part of the money received help these women buy food and pay for school fees for their children.

The rocks are arranged in unique designs that can take your breath away. Not yet there? Make a point to visit this historic place this coming holiday.

For Enquiries Please Contact:

0733281657, 0710158262, 0734738916

OR

Kenya Community Based Tourism Network

Email: info@kecobat.org

Tel: 254 02 231 9458

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