Ikutha is a
small town located 100 kilometres south of Kitui Town, along the Kitui-Kibwezi
highway. The climate in the Ikutha region is generally dry, and temperatures can be quite high.
Although Ikutha is not a very big urban centre, it hosts several
important institutions. Among these are:
Ikutha
Level 4 Hospital
This medical
facility, which is run by the government, was officially opened in March 2017,
and is the largest hospital in the area.
Fig. 1: The Ikutha Level 4 Hospital
Fig. 2: The Ikutha Level 4 Hospital
Ikutha
Girls
Ikutha
Girls is a public secondary school located within Ikutha Town.
Africa Inland
Church Ikutha
This is the
historical church that is the original mission station of the Africa Inland
Mission (AIM) which was set up by German Missionary Johannes Hofmann and his
wife, Emilie, in 1895. From here the AIM spread to the rest of Kenya (and other
parts of East Africa) and eventually became established as the Africa Inland
Church (AIC).
Fig. 3: The plaque at the gate of AIC Ikutha (Courtesy: AIC Ikutha)
Fig. 4: The old church building constructed by missionary Hofmann at AIC Ikutha
(Courtesy: AIC Ikutha)
Fig. 5: An old church bell at AIC Ikutha (Courtesy: AIC Ikutha)
Fig. 6: The burial site at AIC Ikutha where missionary Hofmann and his family were laid to rest
(Courtesy: AIC Ikutha)
Fig. 7: The new church building presently being used for worship at AIC Ikutha
(Courtesy: AIC Ikutha)
Other
amenities at Ikutha include a fresh produce market and several other churches.
With the recent tarmacking of the Kitui-Kibwezi Road, the main streets of
Ikutha have also been tarmacked and this has enhanced the beauty of the town.
The Ikutha
Level 4 Hospital and the AIC Ikutha church are built at the edge of Ikutha
Town, from where one has a perfect view of the Tiva River valley below and the
Yatta Plateau in the distance. From this vantage point a small gap can be seen
on the plateau. The gap is referred to by locals as mwanyani (the Kamba
word for ‘gap’ or ‘space’). The Kitui-Kibwezi Highway has been constructed
through that gap on its way to Kibwezi.
Fig. 8: The Yatta Plateau as seen from Ikutha, with the Tiva River valley below
Fig. 9: Business premises at Ikutha Town
Fig. 10: A street in Ikutha Town
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