Artisans in the soapstone Industry in Tabaka ward, South Mogirango Constituency, Kisii County are experiencing an economic boost after a sculpture Center in the area won a multimillion contract to supply statue artifacts to a neighboring country.
The project which entails sculpturing statues of up to 16 feet tall and weighing between 350 kg and two tons has since elicited enthusiasm, being the first of its kind in the area. Speaking at the sculpting site dubbed Kisac Sculpture Centre at Nyabigege shopping centre, the centre Director Daniel Ombasa Apepo said the contract had caused an economic boost benefiting the artisans.
He added that the project which commenced a one month ago has added value to the Organisation which a few days ago was awarded for outstanding mineral value addition.
Kisac received the award during a recent a ceremony organized by state Department of mining, in the ministry for mining, Blue economy and Maritime Affairs.
Ombasa explained that the project had caused a shift of work from the normal sculpting of smaller pieces for export to huge statues which seem to represent different communities of South Sudan and which could be headed to a museum.
With a target of producing 53 statues within six months, Ombasa said the centre had to mobilize a team of the best artisans in the area.
He said the project has enabled the centre to achieve its mandate which is to empower Kenyan Artisans by show casing their handcrafts globally, and promoting local culture
Appealing to the government To embark on a similar contract, Ombasa said the exercise was able to offer jobs to many residents with the lead curver being an experienced artisan who had been in the industry for many years.
This, he said will ensure the country was not just exporting the precious rock to other countries but was retained to attract tourists a move that would encourage more people to venture into the industry.
Ombasa noted that the centre had increased the number of employees which is normally 100 to 150, and has engaged most talented experts who are mainly sourced from the local community and who earn a living from chiseling, curving and sanding or painting.
Ombasa estimates that at least 10 tonnes of soapstone rock will be consumed by the end of the project but notes that the raw material was adequate to be used by the coming generations.
He observed that Kenya was endowed with a lot of minerals and called for innovation and Creativity to utilize them for tourism purposes.
He acknowledged the place of Internet and Artificial Intelligence in businesses today, and urged young entrepreneurs to develop great ideas through the platform
which can attract clients globally.
One Artisan, Evelyn’s Ombasa said that she had never witnessed sculpturing of massive statues since she ventured into soapstone industry in the year 2004.
She explained how she was able to earn a living through the industry and called upon the government to ensure there was conducive environment for industries to thrive.
The lead Artisan, Thomas Mokaya said he had experience spanning 25 years but it was first large undertaking at Kisac.
Mokaya cited other sculptures he had done including the ones in county government offices.
By Jane Naitore and Clinton Nyamumbo
