About E. Marakwet Way Back When Brief History of Elgeyo Marakwet County As the name suggests, the county we now call Elgeyo Marakwet has, for forever and a day, been dominated primarily by the Keiyo and Marakwet communities. The Keiyo, also known as the Elgeyo, since and now, are an enterprising agro-pastoral community residing mainly to the southern part of the county, while the Marakwet are a resilient pastoral people, with mixed ventures in crop production. Way back when the population was sparse, secluded and scattered, both these communities were traditionally pastoralist and nomadic, the former progressing gradually to a more sedentary lifestyle that is agrarian oriented. As this went on, life in valley and some parts of the plateau also progressed, as the pastoralist tradition led to a more bog-standard attitude of breeding, and cattle possession flattered to a form of wealth and status. The Keiyo begun utilizing strips of land running from the highlands down to the escarpment into the Kerio Valley floor. Well before the British Rule of East Africa, the people of Elgeyo Marakwet had lived more or less homogeneously; each tribe dwelling in one general area. The pastoralists community, the Marakwet, traversed expansive areas of the lower south, interacting cordially with the Keiyo. Occasionally, small wars would break out among the tribes, but borders were regarded and peace generally prevailed. In 1902, the region that would later form Elgeyo Marakwet District was transferred from Uganda to the East Africa Protectorate . The Elgeyo and Marakwet areas were administered from Eldama Ravine District of the Naivasha Province. The two regions would later be transferred to Uasin Gishu District; Elgeyo in 1913 and Marakwet in 1916. In 1920, they both achieved district status and were separate districts until 1926 when they were merged. In 1934, after border revisions over the years, Naivasha Province was finally absorbed into the Rift Valley Province. The colonial machinery arrived rather late in Elgeyo Marakwet, only showing up, officially, in 1910. As anticipated, owing, partly, to the backward economic interest in the region, there were many initial setbacks to resolve, before getting down to business. One major snag all over the district was the lag communications. The road network was at best poor, if not non-existent, and there was no railway connection. The telephone and post offices facilities were poor and limited. The few major roads become impassable during the rains. These were also poorly maintained to boot. Another major snag, especially harsh on the visitors, was the prevalence of diseases. There was widespread malaria, tuberculosis and tsetse fly was very common. These, among other problems associated with the under developed hinterland of Kenya at the time, prevented practicable development, apart from being socially undesirable. Topography more than anything else had contributed to the varying modes of subsistence and contact with outsiders. Akin to their neighbours, the Turkana and Tugen, the Keiyo and Marakwet did not take a liking to the presence of the Europeans in their native land. The inculcation of new rules and regulations further created the rift. Top on the list, as was the case in much of Kenya, was the alienating land policies. The entrenchment of many of these laws affected the Keiyo in particular in many profound ways. The creation of Keiyo Reserve, in 1905, was especially limiting, halting their age-old, free movement to the highland and Uasin Gishu. As might be expected, ethnic land grievances became the root of strife in Elgeyo Marakwet. In 1911, the locals attacked and murdered a white settler, who had been awarded land rights in their country. On account of inferior weapons and direful combat strategy, the few local revolts against the newcomers were easily and quickly quelled. Hereinafter, a Native Council was established in 1922. By the same token, it was paramount to establish an administrative post in the region. Up until the late 1920's, the Keiyo were administered from Eldama Ravine; from 1894, and from Eldoret in 1913. In 1912, a station to administer the Marakwet was established at Kapsowar. However, Kapsowar began to lose favour with the settler, after the killing and skirmishes. The headquarters was momentarily moved to Kamariny. Still and all, Kamariny was too far from the majority of the people, who then lived on the ridges of Elgeyo Escarpment. At the same time, Tambach, once an isolated village, grew into a little town with about a quarter of a mile square. The Keiyo, forced to re-evaluate their subsistence, had also responded by active participation in trade, business and cash crop farming. In addition, through their own initiative, the African government school Tambach had been launched. In due course, Tambach was chosen as the capital town. The decision was taken by the colonial government to administer both the Keiyo and Marakwet together, hence the joint name of the district. Moreover, Tambach was more favourable because of its highland disposition, moderate climate, steady supply of clean water and spectacular scenic beauty. Lying at the foothills of the Kerio Valley, on the western part of Kenya's Rift Valley, it provided an ideal tableland location. The town became the district headquarter in 1927. It covered an area of about 15 acres, with one main street and a number of pathways. A clutch of houses built with stones, mud and wattle walls with iron sheet roofing also sprung up. By 1960, Tambach had a population of over a thousand people and was a fairly sized town. The inhabitants of the town now included Nubians, Somalis, Swahili and Indians. In 1976 the headquarters of Keiyo and Marakwet was once more moved to Iten. Be that as it may, aside from the ‘grazing lands', there was little value in then Elgeyo Marakwet District, and the colonial government was more interested in collecting taxes and sourcing for labourers to work the thriving sisal, wattle and wheat farms in Uasin Gishu, where many of the natives opted to migrate to and become squatters. This too had its pitfalls, none, perhaps, more dodgy than the evasive tactics of the Marakwet, down in the valley, to evade tax and recruitment. As a result, the highland and more productive areas around Mosop were administered differently from 1939. Fast forward to 1994, Elgeyo-Marakwet District was, again, split into Marakwet and Keiyo districts, only to be reunited in 1992. By 2009, both districts had a total population of 369,998. In 2010, as per the new constitution of Kenya , creating new counties as per existing district, Elgeyo-Marakwet County was created. The constitution became effective in March 2013. Touring Elgeyo Marakwet County in Kenya offers a mix of stunning landscapes, cultural experiences, and outdoor adventures. Renowned for its rugged terrain and picturesque landscapes, it is also home to globally-famous long distance running exports. Hiking enthusiasts can explore trails such as the famous Kerio Valley Escarpment or venture into the Cherangani Hills for more challenging hikes. You Are Here: Elgeyo Marakwet County Where to Next? Explore Destinations in Elgeyo Marakwet County A Guide to Elgeyo Marakwet County A Summa Digest of Elgeyo Marakwet About Elgeyo Marakwet Way Back When 44 Destinations in E. Marakwet County , arranged as one would visit these - west, south then north - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart: Home of Champions Art Center, Keiyo Gardens, High Altitude Training Camp , Kamariny Stadium , St. Patrick's High School , Bugar Forest , Iten Viewpoint , Lelin Campsite , Kerio View Hotel , Active Edge , Rimoi National Reserve , Kapkurmoi Cultural & Conservation, Kessup Falls , Kessup Forest , Kilima Resort , Tambach Museum , Kolol Viewpoint , Torok Falls , Biretwo Museum , Kerio River Lodge , Chebloch Gorge , Samich Resort , Kenya Fluorspar Company , Sego Safari Resort , Melwa Gorge , Kerio Valley , Elgeyo (Kerio) Escarpment , Lake Kamnarok National Reserve , Kureswo Hot Springs , Metkei Ridge , Chemonde Forest, Chebirara Falls, Mela Cave , Cherangani Hills , Teren River Bridge , Arror Dam , Chebara Dam , Embobut Forest , Wewo Catholic Church , The Foothills (Kipkunurr & Koisungur) , Kipteberr Hill , Kiplagoch Caves , Ancient Marakwet Furrows Know More About E. Marakwet County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments What's The Air Like In Elgeyo M? With a wide range in altitude, from 3350 metres asl., on the Cherangani Hills to around 1000 metres asl., in the Kerio Valley. the temperature varies with altitude, between 18 o C and 26 o C average maximum. What's The Lay Of The Land in C.28? Elegyo Marakwet can be split into three agro-zones: A high altitude region of forest and moorland; The Cherangani mountains; And the lower set Kerio Escarpment and Valley. Know More About Elgeyo Marakwet…

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