The formation of Isinya Town

By Levis Selian, Kelvin Salaton and Tom Lantei 

Picture of Isinya town

The name Isinya was derived from a Maasai word `Osinyai’ meaning sand. This was because Isinya River had a lot of sand and road constructors would come and harvest sand there. The town is said to have started in the 1970s by the locals with the aim of doing business.

The town started with one shop. The town grew day by day as time went by, after some years all the locals grew a mentality of meeting in the place and exchanging there goods either by money or through butter trade.

Sign post of Isinya river

The place eventually turned to be the main market for the locals. People came from far to sell their livestocks, Maasai beads and tools like irgoreta which was mainly done by women.

“Among the first business started here was a slaughter house. Livestocks used to be slaughtered and transported to Asiripa which is currently called Athi River. It was the most common known centre   by the Maasai people,” said Daniel Kirotie, 86, a local resident.

As time went by most people visited the area and started settling and also starting various businesses there. Many found it difficult to pronounce the name ‘Osinyai’ hence ending up pronouncing it as Isinya. The name Isinya stuck up to date.