Forget the accidents, Suswa is the place for adventure seekers
The scenic Suswa is not just a tourist magnet but also attracts sporting events. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The Maa community called it Mt Oldonyo Nyoike, which means the mountain of red and yellow ochre — the mud paste which the Maasai morans use to decorate their bodies.
- Sirikwa, an extinct sub-tribe of the Kalenjin, once settled in the area after following their southeastern migratory route from Rongai in Nakuru county.
- The town was used as a political launching ground by former veteran Maasai politician William ole Ntimama during his hey days.
Suswa Town is often associated with fatal road accidents which over the years have claimed many lives, livestock and even wild animals.
But this does not deny the small, dusty and scenic town on Mai Mahiu-Narok Road with a population of about 4,000 people its attraction.
Located about 124 kilometres from Nairobi, Suswa Town takes its name from the surrounding scenic Mt Suswa, which rises to an altitude of 2,356 metres.
The Maa community called it Mt Oldonyo Nyoike, which means the mountain of red and yellow ochre — the mud paste which the Maasai morans use to decorate their bodies.
Sirikwa, an extinct sub-tribe of the Kalenjin, once settled in the area after following their southeastern migratory route from Rongai in Nakuru county.
This was due to antagonistic environmental factors. They called the area Suswa, a Kalenjin name for a place of grass.
Maasai, Kikuyu traders and a few other communities from other parts of the country live in the town.
The locals are mainly of the Keekonyokie Maasai sub-tribe.
Between July and September is the wheat and barley harvesting seasons. These seasons are usually a beehive of activity, with lodges fully booked by 9am.
Hotels and bars do booming business during this period.
In the middle of the town sits a unique shop that doubles as the location of Ol Toilo Lemaa community radio station.
Ol Toilo Lemaa means the voice of the Maasai people. A wind power generation substation in the area is expected to pull even more business to the area.
Maasai homesteads dot the vast plain of grassland near the town.
The renowned Soila Maasai Rescue Centre is also situated here. It caters for over one 150 girls rescued from female circumcision and early marriages — a common practice among the Maasai community.
The town was used as a political launching ground by former veteran Maasai politician William ole Ntimama during his hey days.
Suswa Community Conservancy remains of the biggest tourist pullers and you will not miss such wild animals as giraffes, leopards, zebras and gazelles.
Mt Suswa is also a favourite destination for mountain climbing, wild camping, bird watching and nature walks.
