Egware Museum

Egware Museum is Kenya’s first living soapstone museum dedicated to preserving Kisii soapstone craftsmanship. Visitors can engage with artisans, explore exhibits, and participate in hands-on sculpting workshops.

Planning your visit

Kisii soapstone comes from a single area of western Kenya, where a soft, workable stone in colours from cream to deep pink has supported a carving tradition for generations — the material is soft enough to shape with hand tools and hardens somewhat with exposure.

Egware in Nairobi presents itself as a living museum: artisans work on site rather than pieces sitting behind glass, and visitors can watch the process from rough block through carving, sanding, dyeing and polishing.

The hands-on element is central. Sculpting classes let visitors work a small piece under instruction, which conveys both the pleasure of the material and the skill involved.

The economics are part of the story — Kisii carving supports a considerable number of families, and the export market has shaped what is produced.

Bookable options include entry with sculpting classes. Current availability is shown below.