Kitui County Unveils New Tourism Circuit, Eyes Global Spotlight

Kitui County, Kenya: The Kitui County Tourism Circuit was officially launched on Saturday, September 27, 2025, at a ceremony held at Nzambani Rock in the Nzambani District. The event’s theme focused on unveiling the rich and diverse tourism treasures of Kitui County.

Governor Dr. Julius Makau Malombe presided as the chief guest at the colourful function, which was attended by thousands and organised by the Kitui County Tourism, Hospitality and Game Reserves Ministry. The launch coincided with the 45th World Tourism Day, established in 1980 by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) and celebrated annually on September 27 to highlight tourism’s vital social, cultural, economic, and environmental value.

The two-and-a-half-acre Nzambani Rock, owned by the Kitui County government, is a towering 183-metre mystical formation offering spectacular views of Mount Kenya, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Yatta Plateau, and the magical beauty of Kitui County’s landscape, including breathtaking hills and mountain ranges.

In his speech, Governor Malombe described Kitui as a land of untold stories, breathtaking landscapes, and living heritage, where culture, nature, and opportunity converge. He highlighted destinations such as the iconic Nzambani Rock, the sacred Museve Shrine, the vast South Kitui and Mwingi Game Reserves, the Mutomo Hills Plant Sanctuary and Reptile Park, and the county’s vibrant cultural shrines, calling Kitui a destination of discovery and adventure.

The governor reaffirmed his manifesto pledge to refine and market a robust and sustainable tourism circuit that connects Kitui County with Coastal Kenya and Mount Kenya regions, placing the county firmly on the national and global tourism map. Against this rich backdrop, he presented the Tourism Circuit Magazine as a platform to showcase the county’s treasures and highlight immense opportunities in tourism and hospitality.

Governor Malombe noted that Kitui’s tourism landscape is as diverse as it is unique, telling stories of faith through religious and heritage sites such as the Ikutha Africa Inland Church (AIC) and the Museve Shrine. He also highlighted adventure opportunities on the climbing slopes of Yanzuu and Kavia Rocks, the magnificent Ikoo Valley, and the Ulonzo and Kiongwe landscapes, as well as the Kalundu Dam Eco-Park and many other attractions.

The Mumoni and Mutitu Important Bird Areas (IBAs) in Kitui County are home to the endemic Hinde’s Pied Babbler, Governor Malombe added. He also pointed to community-driven innovations in agro-tourism, such as the Kamaki Farmers Cooperative Society Limited, where tradition meets modern enterprise.

As the county showcases these tourism opportunities, it reaffirms its vision of tourism as a driver of socio-economic transformation. Investors, local communities, and visitors from across the world are invited to partner in unlocking the full potential of Kitui’s tourism and hospitality sector.

The event was also addressed by the Deputy Kitui County Governor, Augustine Wambua Kanani, who also serves as the Kitui County Tourism, Hospitality, and Game Reserves Minister. Representatives from the Kenya Institute of Primate Research, the George Adamson’s Trust, the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), the Kenya Utalii College, the Tourism Fund, and Kenya’s Tourism and Wildlife Ministry also spoke.

The Mumoni and Mutitu Important Bird Areas in Kitui County are globally numbered 66 and 67, respectively, among over 13,600 Important Bird Areas worldwide.

The Ikutha Africa Inland Church compound still houses the original semi-permanent structure built in 1886 by the African Inland Mission (AIM) team led by missionary Hoffman, who first arrived in 1885. Though humble in design—once made of grass and mud—the church served as a beacon of hope and transformation in the region. This sacred site tells a tale of resilience, faith, and enduring legacy.