Nzambani rock offers more than just the intriguing tales about it

Nzambani rock is undoubtedly one of the country’s largest stone outcrops. It stands tall and proudly next to Nzambani primary School in Kitui County.

It is a rock with many tales; some say that the stone is living. Others claim they hear noises from the direction of the stone at night.

It is also believed that anyone who goes around the stone seven times would be mysteriously changed into a member of the opposite sex.

The rock is said to have housed some ritual practices in the distant past.

But the controversial tales remain just that, as no personal accounts of these happenings have ever been given.

The rock is beautiful; it leaves every single visitor yearning to come again. Its location was once filled with roaming wildlife which could jeopardise children lives and may be the cause of the many scary tales.

At dusk, herdsmen striding home with their cattle in Chuluni some meters from the rock, feel its towering presence and protection.

Traders whiling away time outside their shops at the top on Kaluluku Hill get a captivating bird’s eye view of the rock.

At dusk, when the sun is sinking far away in Kwa-vonza; as seen from this hill, the rock looks like a big shadow.

From the distant Museve and Kitimui hills, the 600 feet Nzambani rock is seen struggling for its space among the tall trees around.

It is as if it reaching up to get a gulp of fresh air (considering the myth that it is living).

The rock has a shining allure and leaves many convinced that it might be growing.

Or how else would you explain the amazing fact that even though the trees keep on growing throughout the year, they never surpass it in height.

Nzambani rock remains a scenic tourist attraction in Kitui County. It only about 45 minutes drive from Kitui town.

It has a metallic staircase to its top, which was built some years back.

An affordable fee is levied for both locals and foreigners at the parking lot office.

It takes only 15 minute to walk from the parking lot to the base of the rock. The staircase is fenced for the sake of children and other ‘height phobic’ people.

On a windy day, the ladder sways, a spectacle that scares many people with the fear of heights.

From the top, one has a 360 degrees view of the Kitui County. Nzambani rock is visible from a distance of 60 miles away.

It is no doubt a symbol of identify for the region and explains in many ways, its captivating history.