Elgeyo-Marakwet County

Elgeyo Marakwet
County

Flag

Location in Kenya
Country Kenya
Founded March 4th 2013
Capital Iten
Government
 • Governor Alex Tolgos
Area
 • Total 3,049.7 km2 (1,177.5 sq mi)
Population (2009)
 • Total 369,998[1]
Time zone UTC+3 (EAT)

Elgeyo-Marakwet County is one of Kenya's 47 counties. Elgeyo Marakwet County is located in the former Rift Valley Province. Its capital and largest town is 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.

Demographics

IndicatorStatistics
Population :369,998 (Male: 50%, Female: 50%)
Population Density:122 people per Km 2
National Percentage:0.96%
Annual Growth Rate:2.8%
Age Distribution:0–14 years (46.4%), 15–64 years (49.6%), 65+ years (4.0%)
Number of Households:77,555

[2]

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. 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. 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 (3,370 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).

Climate

Temperatures range from a minimum of 14 °C to a maximum of 24 °C. Rainfall ranges annually from 400 to 1,400 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.
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.

County government

As of 2015, the County Governor was Alex Tolgos, the Senator was Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen, and County Women Representative was Susan Kipketer Chebet, all of the United Republican 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 Speaker was Albert Kochei.

County Executive Committee

PersonDocket
Morris rotichEducation and Technical Training
Anne KibosiaTrade, Co-operatives, Energy and Tourism
Morris RotichPublic Works and Transport
Thomas RuttoHealth Services
Eng.Simion KiplagatWater, Physical Planning and Natural Resources
Dr.Stella ChelagatYouth, Sports, Women and Social Services
Shadrack YatichAgriculture,Livestock and Fisheries

County Ward Representatives

ConstituencyWardRepresentative
Marakwet EastKapyegoKiptire Benson Kibet
Marakwet EastSambirirSuter Paul Kipkemoi
Marakwet EastEndoKirop Festus Korir
Marakwet EastEmbobut/EmbulotChebii Simion
Marakwet WestLelaCherono Charles Chemase
Marakwet WestSengwerKiprono Kipketer David
Marakwet WestCherang'any/ChebororwaKoech Philemon Kiptoo
Marakwet WestMoiben/KuserwoChesingany William Cheruiyot
Marakwet WestKapsowarYego David
Marakwet WestArrorChristopher Kibor Kimutai
Keiyo NorthKamarinyLagat Kenneth Kibet
Keiyo NorthEmsooCheboiboch Christopher Kangogo
Keiyo NorthTambachKeitany Vincent Kiptoo
Keiyo NorthKapchemutwaCherop Rosa
Keiyo SouthKaptarakwaKigen Thomas Kipkorir
Keiyo SouthChepkorioKibet Tecla Jerotich
Keiyo SouthSoy NorthKipchumba Vincent Kipruto
Keiyo SouthSoy SouthCheruiyot Gilbert Kaptugen
Keiyo SouthKabiemitBoit Wilson Kipketer
Keiyo SouthMetkeiChirchir Daniel
NominatedKaptarakwaRael Jepiwott Limo
Nominated
Nominated
Nominated
Nominated

[3][4]

Economy

Economic activity in the county is characterized by 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.

Tourism

Major Tourist Attractions are

Education

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
  • St. Patrick's High School (Iten, Kenya)
  • Chebara Boys High School
  • Singore Girls Secondary School
  • Metkei Girls High School
  • Tambach Boys High School
  • Kapkenda Girls High School
  • Simotwo Boys High School

[2]

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

[2]

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[5]
  • Katumoi
  • Kipmwarer
  • Kocholwo
  • Kondabilet
  • Tenden
  • Tot
  • Kabulwo
  • kangoo
  • Tambach

Notable people

ListAchievements
Nicholas BiwottFormer Powerful Cabinet Minister in Government of President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi. Also known as 'TOTAL MAN aka KARNET' Moses Kiplagat ChangwonyFormer MD Sasini, Tardar and Current Governatorial candidate Elgeyo Marakwet County
Julius KipngetichFormer CEO of Kenya Wildlife Service, Formerly Equity Bank Chief Operations Officer and Currently Uchumi Supermarkets CEO
Philip Kiptoo TunoiJudge of Supreme Court of Kenya between 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
William KipronoDirector Kenya wildlife 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[6]
County
Stats for the County (Percent)
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". Scribd.com. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  2. 1 2 3 "Elgeyo Marakwet". Crakenya.org. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  3. ↑ "SUMMARY OF RESULTS FOR MEMBER OF COUNTY ASSEMBLY WARD REPRESENTATIVE. [MARCH 4TH 2013 - GENERAL ELECTION&*93;". Iebc.or.ke. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  4. ↑ "Members Nominated To County Assembly Wards". Iebc.or.ke. 2013-07-18. Retrieved 2014-07-22.
  5. ↑ Chebororwa
  6. ↑ USAid Kenya Archived 23 February 2013 at the Wayback Machine.

Coordinates: 0°48′N 35°34′E / 0.800°N 35.567°E / 0.800; 35.567

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