Elgeyo-Marakwet County

Elgeyo-Marakwet County is one of Kenya's 47 counties, which is located in the former Rift Valley Province with its capital and largest town as Iten. It borders the counties of West Pokot to the north, Baringo County to the east, southeast and south, Uasin Gishu to the southwest and west, and Trans Nzoia to the northwest.

Elgeyo Marakwet
Flag of Elgeyo Marakwet
Location in Kenya
Location in Kenya
CountryKenya
Founded4 March 2013
CapitalIten
Government
  GovernorWisley Rotich
Area
  Total3,049.7 km2 (1,177.5 sq mi)
Population
 (2019)
  Total454,480[1]
Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)

Demographics

The total population of Elgeyo-Marakwet County is 454,480 persons, of this 227,317 are females, 227,151 males and 12 intersex persons. There are 99,861 households in the county with an average size of 4.5 persons per household with a density population of 150 persons per square km.[2]

Religion

Religion in Elgeyo-Marakwe County [3]

Religion (2019 Census) Number
Catholicism231,873
Protestant144,885
Evangelical Churches46,334
African instituted Churches12,461
Orthodox256
Other Cristian7,394
Islam1,142
Hindu14
Traditionists491
Other2,933
No ReligionAtheists5,210
Don't Know395
Not Stated46

Geography, geology and topography

Escarpment panorama viewed from Iten View Point
Population density in Elgeyo markwet county

The Kerio River binds the county on the eastern side. From its alluvial plain the topography gradually rises towards the west. The Elgeyo Escarpment stands out distinctly and causes elevation differences of up to 1,500 m.[4] In the northern and southern part of the county the topography is rugged, giving way to more subdued relief differences going westwards. The underlying geology mainly consists of gneisses from the Basement System. The Cherangany Hills rise gently to form the western half of the Great Rift Valley and extend northwest in a broken chain to Mount Moroto in Uganda.[5] Non-volcanic in origin, the Cherangany Hills resulted from subsequent erosion of the raised western ridge of the Eastern Rift Valley. The range is approximately 30 miles (48 km) long and 25 miles (40 km) wide and averages 9,000 feet (2,700 metres) in height; its highest point reaches more than 11,000 feet (3,400 metres). Many of the summits are covered with huge groundsels and lobelias. Some of the hills include Kameleogon (3581 m), Chebon (3375 m), Chepkotet (3370 m), Alaleigelat (3350 m) and Sodang (3211 m).[6]

Climate

Temperatures range from a minimum of 12 °C which is extremely cold with mists and even frost to some extent to a maximum of 22 °C. Rainfall ranges annually from 800 to 2300 mm.

Religion and ethnicity

Marakwet Dancers
Marakwet Traditional Dancers

The county is mainly occupied by Keiyo, Sengwer also called Cherangany and Marakwet are part of the larger ethnic grouping of eight culturally and linguistically related ethnic groups known as the Kalenjin.[7]
Marakwet is a sub-tribe of the Kalenjin. It is made up of the sub-dialects Almoo, Endoow, Markweta (the sub-dialect giving rise to the common name), and Sombirir (Borokot) who presently predominantly live in Marakwet District in the North Rift Valley Province. Some now live in Trans Nzoia East and Uasin Gishu North districts and in other towns.
The name Keiyo or Elgeyo has been used interchangeably to describe the Keiyo people. The latter name is disputed as a corruption of the true name, which was coined by the Uasin-Gishu Maasai, who were the Keiyo's neighbours in the mid-9th century at the western side of Eldoret.[8]

Administrative and Political Units

Elgeyo - Marakwet is divided into 4 sub-counties, 20 county assemblies wards, 68 locations and 199 sub-locations. Below is the distribution of the county assemblies wards.

Political Units
Constituency No. of Wards
Marakwet East 4
Marakwet West 6
Keiyo North 4
Keiyo South 6
TOTAL 20

Source[9]

County government

Wisley Rotich who succeeded Alex Tolgos is currently serving his first term as the county's Governor.[10] William Kisang is the current senator replacing Kipchumba Murkomen who was appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Roads.[11] The County Women Representative is Caroline Jeptoo Ng'elechei,[12] all of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party, an affiliate of the Jubilee Alliance. The county has four constituencies in the National Assembly, and twenty ward seats in its County Assembly. The County Assembly Speaker is Mr. Albert Kochei.

County Executive Committee

PersonDocket
Alphaeus TanuiFinance and Economic Planning
Thomas MaiyoLands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development
Edwin KiborEducation and Technical Training
Robert KangogoCo-operatives, Trade, Industrialization, Tourism and Widlife
Emmy Kosgei[13]Roads, Public Works and Transport
Michael KibiwottHealth Services
Jason LagatWater, Environment and Climate Change
Purity KoimaSports, Youth Affairs, Culture, Children and Social Services
Monica RotichPublic Service, Devolution, Administration, Communications, ICT and E-Governance
Edwin SeroneyAgriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation

Source [14]

County Ward Representatives

ConstituencyWardRepresentative
Marakwet EastKapyegoHon. Chebet Joseph Kipkorir
Marakwet EastSambirirHon. Suter Paul Kipkemoi
Marakwet EastEndoHon. Kibiwott Jeremiah Kiptum
Marakwet EastEmbobut/EmbulotHon. Kipyatich Paul Kipchumba
Marakwet WestLelanHon. Kurgat Pricillah Jepkoech
Marakwet WestSengwerHon. Kiptoo Asbel Kisang
Marakwet WestCherang'any/ChebororwaHon. Kosgei Evans Kimutai
Marakwet WestMoiben/KuserwoHon. Kiplagat Hillary Kipchirchir
Marakwet WestKapsowarHon. Kipruto Joshua
Marakwet WestArrorHon. Mutwol Justine kosgei
Keiyo NorthKamarinyHon. Cheptiony Benjamin Kipkemboi
Keiyo NorthEmsooHon. Cheboiboch Christopher Kangogo
Keiyo NorthTambachHon. Chesire Dominic
Keiyo NorthKapchemutwaHon. Cheruiyot Stephen Kemboi
Keiyo SouthKaptarakwaHon. Kimutai Mathew Cheruiyot
Keiyo SouthChepkorioHon. Koima John Kimeli
Keiyo SouthSoy NorthHon. Chepseba Simeon Kibet
Keiyo SouthSoy SouthHon. Tanui Jonah Kipkorir
Keiyo SouthKabiemitHon. Barsulai Alfred Kipkoech
Keiyo SouthMetkeiHon. Kibire Lawi Kipng’etich
NominatedKaptarakwaHon. Kimutai Mathew Cheruiyot
NominatedGenderHon. Kiptoo Evalyne Jepchumba
NominatedGenderHon. Kiptoo Peris Jelagat
NominatedGenderHon. Kimitto Salina Jemosop
NominatedGenderHon. Rotich Jebet Eddah
NominatedGenderHon. Karen Jelagat Koech
NominatedGenderHon. Kimoning Tabitha Jepkirui
NominatedGenderHon. Kosgei Sally Jebet
NominatedYouthHon. Nge'tich Gilbert Kipkosgei
NominatedYouthHon. Bowen Stella
NominatedGenderHon. Cherop Rosa
NominatedPWDHon. Lai victoria Jemutai
NominatedPWDHon. Biwott Davies Kimutai

[15][16]

Health

The county has over 130 public and private health facilities with an averages of 3.7 km access distance from one health centre to another.[17] The county has 626 medical personnels across the fields of medical profession.[18][19]

Transport and Communication

The is covered with 292.1 km of earth, 1,415.3 km of murram and 92.2 km of bitumen.[20][21] As at 2014 there were 8 postal offices across the county with 1,600 installed letter boxes, 1,112 rented letter boxes and 488 vacant letter boxes.[22]

Economy

The main economic activity carried out in the county is mixed farming, which consists mainly of livestock and subsistence farming. Other activities include small business, tourism and fluorspar mining in Kerio Valley. Oil Prospecting by Tullow Oil Company is ongoing in Kerio Valley.[23]

As at 2014 county had 62,190,000 cattle, 7,220,000 goats and 10,232,000 sheep.[24]

Tourism

Major Tourist Attractions are

Education systems

There are a total of 554 ECD centres, 418 primary schools and 112 secondary schools, 4 public technical and vocational colleges and 1 teacher training college in the county.

Schools in County
Category No. of Public No. of Private Total
ECD Centres 427 127 554
Primary Schools 367 51 418
Secondary Schools 111 1 113

Source[25][22]


IndicatorStatistics
Number of Institutions (2007)Primary (373), Secondary (75)
PrimaryEnrolment (110,399)
Teacher to Pupil Ratio1: 36 (Public Schools)
SecondaryEnrolment (20,887)
Teacher to Pupil Ratio1:30 (Public Schools)
Tertiary1 Teacher Training College, 3 Vocational Training Centers
Adult Literacy ClassesEnrolment (Data Not available)
Notable Secondary Schools
  • KEIYO NORTH
  • St.Patrick's High School (Iten, Kenya)
  • Chebara Boys High School
  • Singore Girls Secondary School
  • Tambach Boys High School
  • Kipsoen Boys Secondary School
  • AIC Kessup Girls Secondary School
  • St. Alphonsus Mutei
  • St. Peters Kapkoi Day Secondary School
  • St Francis Kimuron Boys Secondary School
  • Anin Mixed Secondary
  • Chebonet Secondary School
  • Chepsigot Mixed Secondary School
  • KEIYO SOUTH
  • Maria Soti Educational Centre
  • Simotwo Boys High School
  • Kipsaos Boys Secondary School
  • Kapkenda Girls High School
  • Metkei Girls High School
  • Our Lady of Victory Kaptagat Girls Secondary School
  • St. Agatha Mokwo Girls Secondary School
  • St. Marys Kitany Boys Secondary School
  • St. Joseph Kipsaina Girls Secondary School
  • Koptega Girls Secondary School
  • Lelboinet Boys Secondary School
  • Biwott Mixed Day Secondary School
  • Kiptulos Mixed Secondary School

[26]

Health

IndicatorStatistics
Health Facilities:113 - Referral Hospitals (1), District Hospital (1), Sub-District Hospitals (5), Dispensaries (89), Health Centres (15), Medical Clinics (1), Others (1)
Doctor to Population Ratio:1:50,000 (Marakwet), 1:156,471 (Keiyo)
Infant Mortality Rates:57/1000 (Keiyo)
Under Five Mortality Rates:9.7/1000 (Keiyo)
Prevalent Diseases:Malaria, Diarrhoea, Bronchopneumonia and respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections
Notable Hospitals:
  • Africa Inland Church Kapsowar Hospital.
  • Iten Referral Hospital.
  • Chebiemit District Hospital
  • Kocholwo Sub-County Hospital
  • Kaptarakwa Sub-County Hospital
  • Tot Sub-County Hospital

[26]

Sports

Major sports activity

The county is notable for its long-standing tradition of producing top athletes who have represented Kenya in many international athletics events.

Kenyan and foreign athletes train at Iten Elgeyo Marakwet County

Notable sport personalities

Notable Athletes hailing from this county include;

Important towns

EMC Towns

  • Arror
  • Chebiemit
  • Chebororwa
  • Chepkorio
  • Cheptongei
  • Chesoi
  • Chesongoch
  • Chugor
  • Flax
  • Iten
  • Kapchebau
  • Kapcherop
  • Kapkoi
  • Kapsait
  • Kapsowar
  • Kaptalamwa
  • Kaptarakwa
  • Kapteren
  • Kapyego[27]
  • Katumoi
  • Kipmwarer
  • Kocholwo

¤kamwosor ¤Kipsaos ¤Kapchorwa ¤Tabare ¤HZ

  • Kondabilet
  • Tenden
  • Tot
  • Kabulwo
  • kangoo
  • Tambach

Eminent people

ListAchievements
The late Nicholas BiwottFormer Powerful Cabinet Minister in Government of President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi. Also known as 'TOTAL MAN aka KARNET'
Kipchumba MurkomenElgeyo Marakwet County Senator 2013 to dateFirst deputy Majority leader of the Kenyan Senate

2nd Majority Leader of the Kenyan Senate

Moses Kiplagat ChangwonyFormer MD Sasini, Tardar and former aspirant Governatorial candidate Elgeyo Marakwet County
Julius KipngetichFormer CEO of Kenya Wildlife Service, Formerly Equity Bank Kenya Chief Operations Officer and Currently Uchumi Supermarkets CEO
Philip Kiptoo TunoiJudge of Supreme Court of Kenya from 2012 to date
Philip Kipchirchir Murgorlawyer and Former Director of Public Prosecution
Brother Colm O'ConnellIrish missionary and retired teacher. Successful Athletics Coach
Gladys Boss SholleiFormer Chief Registrar of Kenya Judiciary, Current Woman Representative candidate Uasin Gishu County
William Chebor Murgora member of pre-independence legislative council-Legco, and former MP of Keiyo North
Lieutenant General Lazaro Kipkurui SumbeiywoFormer Commandant of the Defence Staff College and Army Commander. Kenya special envoy to the Sudan and south Sudan peace process Joseph Kipchirchir Boinnet- Immediate former inspector general of the National Police Service
Sub-County/Constituency Wards
Marakwet East Kapyego · Sambirir · Endo · Embobut/Embulot
Marakwet West Lelan · Sengwer · Cherang'any/Chebororwa · Moiben/Kuserwo · Kapsowar · Arror
Keiyo North Kamariny · Emsoo · Tambach · Kapchemutwa
Keiyo South Kaptarakwa · Chepkorio · Soy North · Soy South · Kabiemit · Metkei

Services and urbanisation

Stats for Elgeyo-Marakwet County[28]
County
Stats for the County (Per cent)
Urbanisation
14.4
Literacy
77.6
Attending School (15-18 Yrs)
84.8
Paved Roads
5.7
Good Roads
50.8
Electricity Access
7.2
Poverty Rate
55.5

See also

References

  1. "Kenya Census 2009". Retrieved 22 July 2014 via Scribd.
  2. Munene, Evans (4 November 2019). "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Results". Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  3. "2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume IV: Distribution of Population by Socio-Economic Characteristics" (PDF). Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
  4. Jones, W. B (1 January 1988). "Listric growth faults in the Kenya Rift Valley". Journal of Structural Geology. 10 (7): 661–672. Bibcode:1988JSG....10..661J. doi:10.1016/0191-8141(88)90074-0. ISSN 0191-8141.
  5. "Moroto | Uganda". Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  6. "Attraction - iSafiri". isafiri.com. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  7. Musau, Nzau (11 June 2020). "Report: Ethnicity exposed as most county jobs shared among dominant tribes". The Standard. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
  8. "History – Uasin Gishu County". Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  9. IEBC. "The Report of the Interim Independent Boundaries Review Commission (IIBRC): Delimitation of Constituencies and Recommendations on Local Authority Electoral Units and Administrative Boundaries for Districts and Other Units" (PDF). Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  10. "Governors & Deputy Governors". cog.go.ke. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  11. Kibor, Fred (6 January 2023). "Members of the Senate | The Kenyan Parliament Website". nation.africa.
  12. "Women Representatives | KEWOPA KENYA". Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  13. "Governance".
  14. "Governance". Elgeyo Marakwet County. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  15. "SUMMARY OF RESULTS FOR MEMBER OF COUNTY ASSEMBLY WARD REPRESENTATIVE. [MARCH 4TH 2013 - GENERAL ELECTION&*93;". Iebc.or.ke. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  16. "Members Nominated To County Assembly Wards". Iebc.or.ke. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  17. Siele, Linus. "County health facilities increase to 129 as access to healthcare reduced to 3.7 km". Elgeyo Marakwet County. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  18. "Health Services & Sanitation". Elgeyo Marakwet County. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  19. "Publications". Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  20. "Home". www.kerra.go.ke. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  21. "Roads, Public Works & Transport". Elgeyo Marakwet County. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  22. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (2015). County Statistical Abstract Elgeyo Marakwet 2015. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. p. 18.
  23. "Tullow hopeful of Kenya FID this year". www.petroleum-economist.com. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
  24. "Livestock Development, Cooperatives & Fisheries". Elgeyo Marakwet County. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  25. "Education and Technical Training". Elgeyo Marakwet County. Retrieved 26 May 2020.
  26. "Elgeyo Marakwet". Crakenya.org. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  27. Chebororwa
  28. USAid Kenya Archived 23 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine

0°48′N 35°34′E

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