Kericho is the largest town inKericho County, located in the highlands west of theKenyan Rift Valley. Positioned on the edge of theMau Forest, Kericho benefits from a warm and temperate climate, making it good for agriculture, especially large scale tea cultivation.[1]
The town is strategically located along Kenya's western tourism circuit with access to Lake Victoria, the Maasai Mara National Reserve and Ruma National Park.
The etymology of Kericho is uncertain. One theory suggests it that it was named after the region's first hospital, built by the colonial British at the start of the 20th century, referencing the Kipsigis wordkerichek, for medicine. Another theory proposes the name derives from a local medicine man called Kipkerich or from a Maasai chief, Ole Kericho who was killed in the 18th century by the Abagusii.[2]
Kericho was founded by British settlers in 1902.[3] It hosts Africa's largestSikhGurudwara[4] and the second largest Catholic cathedral in Kenya.[5]
The Gurdwara Sahib, built on the site of the home and workshop of Kericho Wagon Works founder Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji of Kericho, is now a place of worship for the Sikh community and a museumgazetted by theGovernment of Kenya as a place of spiritual significance.
It is dedicated to the memory of Sant Baba Puran Singh Ji, founder of the international charitable organization,Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha which promotes the spirit and practice of selfless service ("nishkam sewa") in the name ofGuru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of theSikh faith.Chandarana Records a pioneer ofBenga music and the Kenyan music recording industry is based in Kericho town.
Sports
Kericho is known for producing Olympic-winning long-distance athletes and hostsZoo Kericho F.C. a football club competing in theKenyan Premier League and Kericho R.F.C. competing in theNationwide League.[6]
Points of Interest
Key attractions include Chagaik Arboretum, Chelimo Arboretum, Tagabi Arboretum, Uhuru Garden and the vast scenic tea estates.[7]
Kericho is reputed to hold the record for the highest number of hail occurrences in a year, either at 132 days with hail[8] or 113 days in 1965. Kericho has up to 50 days of hail each year,[9] but large hail is rare.[8]
As of the 1999 census, the town had a population of 150,000.[10] Kericho is the home town of theKipsigis, a subgroup of theKalenjin people.
Kericho town is the administrative headquarters of Kericho county, which consists up of six constituencies/sub-counties:Bureti,Belgut,Ainamoi,Soin/ Sigowet,Kipkelion East, andKipkelion West.
Kericho is accessible by road through theB1 road (Kenya) that links Mau-Summit, Kericho toKisumu andBusia. In addition, the C25 Kapsoit-Sondu road connects Kericho to theA1 road linkingIsebania toLokichoggio through Kisumu and Kitale.[11]
The Nakuru-Kisumu railway line passes throughKericho County with railway stations at Mau Summit, Londiani, Kedowa, Lumbwa, Kipkelion and Fort Ternan. Fort Ternan was previously used as a halfway point for passenger and goods trains betweenNakuru and Kisumu.[12]
Private airstrips operated by tea estates are used primarily for crop spraying.[13]
Kericho town has access to high-speed fiber-optic Internet connection, fixed line, and mobile telecommunications.
Local FM radio stations includingKass FMArchived 2021-06-11 at theWayback Machine,Chamgei FM,KBC Kitwek FM,Radio InjiliArchived 2021-06-11 at theWayback Machine, Sayare Radio,Light and Life FM, Sema Radio and The Just FM.
Kericho hosts several educational institutions offering certificate, diploma and degree courses, including:
Kericho is home to:1.Litein High School,2.Taita Towett Boys High School, 3.Kipkelion Girls High school, 4.Kapsoit high school, 5.Kabianga Boys High School, 6.Kericho High school, 7.Moi Tea Secondary, 8.Kipsigis Girls High School, 9.Cheptenye Boys High School, 10.Kericho Tea Boys, 11.Tengecha schools 12. Moi Sitotwet 13. Getumbe Secondary school 14. Poiywek Secondary School 15. Kericho Day Secondary school 16. Kipchimchim Secondary school17. Kaptebeswet secondary school 18. Kabianga Girls High School and others
Kericho is home to followers of the Africa Gospel Church,Full Gospel Church,Seventh-day Adventists,Catholics,Sikhs,Muslims,Hindus, African Inland Church,Jehovah's Witnesses andAnglicans.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
00°22′09″S35°17′02″E / 0.36917°S 35.28389°E /-0.36917; 35.28389
