Eldoret

Eldoret
Country	Kenya
Province	Rift Valley Province
District	Uasin Gishu District
Population  (1999)
• Total	193,830
Time zone	UTC+3 (EAT)
Area code	+254 53

Eldoret is a town in western Kenya and the administrative centre of Uasin Gishu District of Rift Valley Province. Lying south of the Cherangani Hills, the local elevation varies from about 2100 metres above sea level at the airport to more than 2700 metres in nearby areas (7000–9000 feet). The population was 193,830 in 1999 (census), and it is currently the fastest growing town in Kenya, and currently the 5th largest in Kenya.

The name "Eldoret" is based on the Maasai word "eldore" meaning "stony river" because the bed of the nearby Sosiani River is very stony. The white settlers decided to call it Eldoret to make it easier for them to pronounce it. At start of the colonial era, the area was occupied by the Nandi, before that by the Maasai and before that the Sirikwa.

History

In 1908, fifty eight families of Afrikaans-speaking South African settlers "trekked" to the Uashin Gishu plateau from Nakuru after a journey from South Africa by sea and by rail from Mombasa. They were followed by sixty more families in 1911 and more later. Eldoret was established in the midst of the farms they created.

The official town site of Eldoret itself started in 1910 with a Post Office on what was known to the white settlers as "Farm 64", "64" or "Sisibo" to the locals because, at that time it was 64 miles from the newly built Uganda Railway railhead at Kibigori. Willy van Aardt owned the farm. The Central Lounge in Eldoret is all that remains of Willy's farm.

When the governor decided to establish an administrative centre, the Post Office was renamed from "64" with the official town name as "Eldoret" in 1912. Becoming an administrative centre caused an enormous increase in trade within the prospective city. A bank and several shops were built.

The Uganda Railway extension, from Kibigori toward Uganda, reached Eldoret in 1924, starting a new era of prosperity and growth. In 1928, a piped water supply from the Sosiani River was installed. In 1933, the East African Power and Lighting Company installed an electricity generator plant. By that time, Eldoret had a small airport, and low-rental housing had been constructed.

Daniel arap Moi was born in the neighbouring Baringo District, and under his presidency, the town was developed further.

In 1984, Moi University was established by the government, and named after the country's 2nd president Daniel arap Moi.

Climate

Climate data for Eldoret
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	22 (72)	23 (74)	23 (74)	22 (71)	21 (70)	21 (69)	19 (67)	20 (68)	21 (70)	22 (72)	22 (71)	22 (71)	22 (71)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	14 (57)	14 (57)	14 (58)	14 (58)	13 (56)	13 (55)	12 (54)	12 (54)	12 (54)	13 (56)	14 (57)	13 (56)	13 (56)
Average precipitation mm (inches)	36 (1.4)	56 (2.2)	76 (3)	150 (6.1)	150 (5.9)	120 (4.8)	170 (6.5)	180 (7.1)	100 (4.1)	64 (2.5)	64 (2.5)	43 (1.7)	1,209 (47.8)
Source: Weatherbase

Recent history

Main article: 2007–2008 Kenyan crisis

Lucas Sang was murdered in the town while on his way home, when violence gripped Kenya in December 2007 in the aftermath of controversial presidential elections.

On January 1, 2008 a mob attacked and set fire to a church in the town, where hundreds of people had taken refuge during Kenyan massacres. As a result, between 40 to 80 people, mostly Kikuyus, were burned to death. now karthik karri from India visiting to turn dark continent to bright.

Local governance

Eldoret is governed by a municipal council. The municipality is divided into thirteen wards. Six of them (Huruma, Kamukunji, Kapyemit, Kidiwa/Kapsuswa, and Stadium/Industrial, Market) are in Eldoret North Constituency, Three (Hospital, Kapsoya and Kimumu/Sergoit) are in Eldoret East Constituency, and the remaining four (Kipkenyo, Langas, Pioneer/Elgon View and Race Course) are part of Eldoret South Constituency. All of these three constituencies have more wards within other local authorities than Eldoret municipality.

The current town clerk of Eldoret is Stanislas Ondimu.

Economy

Eldoret

The town is now home to a large market, Moi University and Eldoret International Airport. It is also known for its cheese factory. Major industries include textiles, wheat, pyrethrum and corn. The town has a number of factories.

Eldoret is home to Moi University with a student population of 14,855 as of 2006. The second medical school in Kenya, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), is also located in within the city limits of Eldoret Town.

Eldoret Polytechnic, the third national polytechnic, is also located in the town.

Eldoret is the hometown of numerous legendary Kenyan runners, the most renowned of whom is Kipchoge Keino. The high altitude is an ideal training ground for many middle and long distance athletes. The runners from Eldoret have contributed significantly to the economy of Eldoret town from their winnings in races all over the world.

Eldoret is also surrounded by a very agricultural area, and for this reason is home to many farmers.

Eldoret is also home to a number nationally recognised manufacturing industries like Raiplywoods, Ken-Knit, Lochab Brothers, and Kandola and Son's. All these industries were set up and developed by some of the oldest Indian origin families in the rift valley region namely The Rai's, The Kandola's, The Shah's, The Lochab's and The Patel's.

Eldoret has a number of estates. Almost each estate has it identity. Some of the estates include; Elgon View, Langas, Huruma, Kapsoya, Kahoya, West Indies, West, Kipkaren, Kimumu, Jerusalem, Pioneer among many others.

There is a growing professional crowd emerging in Eldoret now, whose presence is being felt in the town. Due to the Moi Referral and Teaching Hospital and Eldoret Hospital,which is also having specialised radiology services and Doctors Plaza, there is a host of experienced doctors. Among lawyers, the oldest firm in the region is Nyairo and Company, that was founded by Alfred Momanyi Nyairo in the sixties.

Eldoret is also home to the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF)'s High Altitude Training Center for Kenyan and international athletes.

Transportation

Eldoret International Airport serves the city and was voted the cleanest airport in the country in 2001. The Trans -African highway also passes through the town. It is also served by the Kenya-Uganda railway. it also has the oil pipeline passing through the town and a station is there

Sister city

• Indianapolis, Indiana, United States (2007)
• Ithaca, New York, United States
• Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States (2000)
• Bad Vilbel, Hessen, Germany (1982)
• Portsmouth, Virginia, United States