Cottage Industries in Vihiga
Brief History of Vihiga County
Tools have always helped us achieve much and push civilization further. Today, our fast-moving world is a relatively happier one with innumerable gizmos that help us achieve unimaginable outcomes. It is a kindred lesson that life can only be understood backwards, but it must be lived forward. Yet, time is misleading and the changes in technology a very mocking illusion. It’s hard to keep up with its pace, or, at best, resist it. When we do stumble upon an antwacky technology still in use, it is a sincere lesson that man since time immemorial has sought to fix the world around him to better the life of future generations.
In Vihiga, at Karandini in Tambua Ward near Givavei, one outmoded mill has resisted the wave of technology and is still hard at work, a century later. This hydro-grain grinder has been owned and operated by the family of Shadrack Obida Ombima since it was set-up in the 1920’s, and is the only-known operational grinder of its kind in Vihiga, and perhaps in Kenya. It offers a glimpse into a foregone era, one that appears ineffably distant, and enshrines the simple ways’ of yesteryear.
Cottage industries play a vital role in Kenya’s economy, particularly in rural areas where they provide employment and preserve traditional skills. These small-scale, home-based enterprises are diverse and contribute significantly to local economies. Cottage industries In Kenya are diverse and integral to the cultural and economic fabric. For the travellers, these offer colourful and friendly markets.
Index of Cottage Industries in Kenya
Embu County - Ancient Mbeere Terraces, Kakamega County - Ilesi Pottery Centre, Rosterman Mines, Kisii County - Tabaka Soapstone, Kwale County - Lima Self Help Group, Lamu County - Matondoni Boat Workshop, Manda Coral Mining, Machakos County - The Masaku Flea & Curio Market, Wamunyu Handicraft Society, Makueni County - Makueni Fruit Plant, Makindu Handicrafts, Migori County - Macalder Mines, Mombasa County - Fort Jesus Curio, The Bombolulu Workshop, Akamba Handicraft Society, Nairobi County - Masai Market, Utamaduni Craft Centre, Narok County - Kikoy Market, Vihiga County - Kichutu Gold Mine, Givavei Artisans, Obida Ombima Mill, Wajir County - Wajir Livestock Market, West Pokot County - Alale Gold Mines
Typified by lush, green landscapes with rolling hills, rivers, waterfalls and forest, such as the much-noted Nganyi and Kaimosi Forests, which offer scenic spots for nature exploration and birdwatching, Vihiga County is famous for its agricultural productivity, especially tea and subsistence farming. Despite challenges related to population density it continues to thrive as a hotspot for farming and tourism.
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Explore Destinations in Vihiga County
A Guide to Vihiga County
A Summa Digest of Vihiga
About Vihiga Way Back When
26 Attractions in Vihiga County, arranged as one would visit these - south, west, east then west - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Nganyi Rainmakers Forest, Roddy's Green Lounge, Bunyore Hills, Mbale, Kima Stone Mountain, Kima Church of God, Mwitoko Fish Farm, Kidundu Friends Church, Maragoli Hills, Mungoma Caves, Givavei Cave, Givavei Artisans, Jesus Wagevere Rock, Chabuga Mausoleum, African Divine Church, Obida Ombima Mill, Sosa Cottages, Mudete Tea Factory, Magnum Resort, Turaco Intercounty Resort, Kaimosi Forest, Kaimosi Mission Wildlife Conservancy, Kakamega Forest, Kibiri Forest, River Yala, Kichutu Gold Mine
Know More About Vihiga County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Vihiga experiences a high equatorial climate with well distributed rainfall year-round. Temperatures range between 14ºC and 32ºC.
Generally speaking, Vihiga slopes gently from west to east – with undulating hills and valleys plying streams flowing from northeast to southwest, all draining into Lake Victoria as the mouth.