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Elgeyo-Marakwet County

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Elgeyo-Marakwet County is one of Kenya's 47 counties. Located in the former Rift Valley Province, its capital and largest town as Iten. Itborders 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
County
Flag of Elgeyo Marakwet
Flag
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

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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

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Religion in Elgeyo-Marakwe County [3]

Religion (2019 Census) Number
Catholicism 231,873
Protestant 144,885
Evangelical Churches 46,334
African instituted Churches 12,461
Orthodox 256
Other Cristian 7,394
Islam 1,142
Hindu 14
Traditionists 491
Other 2,933
Atheists 5,210
Don't Know 395
Not Stated 46

Geography, geology and topography

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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 parts 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

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Temperatures range from a minimum of 12 °C—relatively cool, with mists and occasionally even frost—to a maximum of 22 °C. Rainfall ranges annually from 800 to 2300 mm.

Religion and ethnicity

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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

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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

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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.

  •  
    Elgeyo Marakwet senator Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen
  •  
    Elgeyo Marakwet Women Representative Susan Kipketer Chebet

County Executive Committee

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Person Docket
Alphaeus Tanui Finance and Economic Planning
Thomas Maiyo Lands, Physical Planning, Housing and Urban Development
Edwin Kibor Education and Technical Training
Robert Kangogo Co-operatives, Trade, Industrialization, Tourism and Widlife
Emmy Kosgei[13] Roads, Public Works and Transport
Michael Kibiwott Health Services
Jason Lagat Water, Environment and Climate Change
Purity Koima Sports, Youth Affairs, Culture, Children and Social Services
Monica Rotich Public Service, Devolution, Administration, Communications, ICT and E-Governance
Edwin Seroney Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Irrigation

Source [14]

County Ward Representatives

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Constituency Ward Representative
Marakwet East Kapyego Hon. Chebet Joseph Kipkorir
Marakwet East Sambirir Hon. Suter Paul Kipkemoi
Marakwet East Endo Hon. Kibiwott Jeremiah Kiptum
Marakwet East Embobut/Embulot Hon. Kipyatich Paul Kipchumba
Marakwet West Lelan Hon. Kurgat Pricillah Jepkoech
Marakwet West Sengwer Hon. Kiptoo Asbel Kisang
Marakwet West Cherang'any/Chebororwa Hon. Kosgei Evans Kimutai
Marakwet West Moiben/Kuserwo Hon. Kiplagat Hillary Kipchirchir
Marakwet West Kapsowar Hon. Kipruto Joshua
Marakwet West Arror Hon. Mutwol Justine kosgei
Keiyo North Kamariny Hon. Cheptiony Benjamin Kipkemboi
Keiyo North Emsoo Hon. Cheboiboch Christopher Kangogo
Keiyo North Tambach Hon. Chesire Dominic
Keiyo North Kapchemutwa Hon. Cheruiyot Stephen Kemboi
Keiyo South Kaptarakwa Hon. Kimutai Mathew Cheruiyot
Keiyo South Chepkorio Hon. Koima John Kimeli
Keiyo South Soy North Hon. Chepseba Simeon Kibet
Keiyo South Soy South Hon. Tanui Jonah Kipkorir
Keiyo South Kabiemit Hon. Barsulai Alfred Kipkoech
Keiyo South Metkei Hon. Kibire Lawi Kipng’etich
Nominated Kaptarakwa Hon. Kimutai Mathew Cheruiyot
Nominated Gender Hon. Kiptoo Evalyne Jepchumba
Nominated Gender Hon. Kiptoo Peris Jelagat
Nominated Gender Hon. Kimitto Salina Jemosop
Nominated Gender Hon. Rotich Jebet Eddah
Nominated Gender Hon. Karen Jelagat Koech
Nominated Gender Hon. Kimoning Tabitha Jepkirui
Nominated Gender Hon. Kosgei Sally Jebet
Nominated Youth Hon. Nge'tich Gilbert Kipkosgei
Nominated Youth Hon. Bowen Stella
Nominated Gender Hon. Cherop Rosa
Nominated PWD Hon. Lai victoria Jemutai
Nominated PWD Hon. Biwott Davies Kimutai

[15][16]

Health

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The county has over 130 public and private health facilities with an average 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

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The region is covered with 292.1 km of earth, 1,415.3 km of murram and 92.2 km of bitumen.[when?][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

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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

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Major Tourist Attractions are

  •  
    Kerio river
  •  
    Cheploch gorge
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    Elgeyo escapment
  •  
    Elgeyo marakwet valley
  •  
    Torok waterfall
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    Paragliding in Kerio Escarpment near Iten.
  •  
    Rimoi National Park
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    Sergoit hill

Education systems

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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]


Indicator Statistics
Number of Institutions (2007) Primary (373), Secondary (75)
Primary Enrolment (110,399)
Teacher to Pupil Ratio 1: 36 (Public Schools)
Secondary Enrolment (20,887)
Teacher to Pupil Ratio 1:30 (Public Schools)
Tertiary 1 Teacher Training College, 3 Vocational Training Centers
Adult Literacy Classes Enrolment (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

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Indicator Statistics
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

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Major sports activity

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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

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Notable Athletes hailing from this county include;

Important towns

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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

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List Achievements
The late Nicholas Biwott Former Powerful Cabinet Minister in Government of President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi. Also known as 'TOTAL MAN aka KARNET'
Kipchumba Murkomen Elgeyo Marakwet County Senator 2013 to date First deputy Majority leader of the Kenyan Senate

2nd Majority Leader of the Kenyan Senate

Moses Kiplagat Changwony Former MD Sasini, Tardar and former aspirant Governatorial candidate Elgeyo Marakwet County
Julius Kipngetich Former CEO of Kenya Wildlife Service, Formerly Equity Bank Kenya Chief Operations Officer and Currently Uchumi Supermarkets CEO
Philip Kiptoo Tunoi Judge of Supreme Court of Kenya from 2012 to date
Philip Kipchirchir Murgor lawyer and Former Director of Public Prosecution
Brother Colm O'Connell Irish missionary and retired teacher. Successful Athletics Coach
Gladys Boss Shollei Former Chief Registrar of Kenya Judiciary, Current Woman Representative candidate Uasin Gishu County
William Chebor Murgor a member of pre-independence legislative council-Legco, and former MP of Keiyo North
Lieutenant General Lazaro Kipkurui Sumbeiywo Former 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

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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

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References

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  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. p. 435. 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. Archived from the original on 5 January 2023. 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. ^ a b 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. ^ a b "Elgeyo Marakwet". Crakenya.org. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
  27. ^ Chebororwa
  28. ^ USAid Kenya Archived 23 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine
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0°48′N 35°34′E / 0.800°N 35.567°E / 0.800; 35.567

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