Elgeyo-Marakwet County
Elgeyo Marakwet | |
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![]() 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
Indicator | Statistics |
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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 |
Geography, geology and topography
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
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.[clarification needed]
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), Sombirir (Borokot) and Kiptaani 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.
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Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Alex Tolgos
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Elgeyo Marakwet senator Onesmus Kipchumba Murkomen
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Elgeyo Marakwet Women Representative Susan Kipketer Chebet
County Executive Committee
Person | Docket |
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Morris rotich | Education and Technical Training |
Anne Kibosia | Trade, Co-operatives, Energy and Tourism |
Morris Rotich | Public Works and Transport |
Thomas Rutto | Health Services |
Eng.Simion Kiplagat | Water, Physical Planning and Natural Resources |
Dr.Stella Chelagat | Youth, Sports, Women and Social Services |
Shadrack Yatich | Agriculture,Livestock and Fisheries |
County Ward Representatives
Constituency | Ward | Representative |
---|---|---|
Marakwet East | Kapyego | Kiptire Benson Kibet |
Marakwet East | Sambirir | Suter Paul Kipkemoi |
Marakwet East | Endo | Kirop Festus Korir |
Marakwet East | Embobut/Embulot | Chebii Simion |
Marakwet West | Lela | Cherono Charles Chemase |
Marakwet West | Sengwer | Kiprono Kipketer David |
Marakwet West | Cherang'any/Chebororwa | Koech Philemon Kiptoo |
Marakwet West | Moiben/Kuserwo | Chesingany William Cheruiyot |
Marakwet West | Kapsowar | Yego David |
Marakwet West | Arror | Christopher Kibor Kimutai |
Keiyo North | Kamariny | Lagat Kenneth Kibet |
Keiyo North | Emsoo | Cheboiboch Christopher Kangogo |
Keiyo North | Tambach | Keitany Vincent Kiptoo |
Keiyo North | Kapchemutwa | Cherop Rosa |
Keiyo South | Kaptarakwa | Kigen Thomas Kipkorir |
Keiyo South | Chepkorio | Kibet Tecla Jerotich |
Keiyo South | Soy North | Kipchumba Vincent Kipruto |
Keiyo South | Soy South | Cheruiyot Gilbert Kaptugen |
Keiyo South | Kabiemit | Boit Wilson Kipketer |
Keiyo South | Metkei | Chirchir Daniel |
Nominated | Kaptarakwa | Rael Jepiwott Limo |
Nominated | ||
Nominated | ||
Nominated | ||
Nominated |
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
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Kerio river
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Chebloch gorge
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Elgeyo escapment
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Elgeyo marakwet valley
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Torok waterfall
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Paraglading in elgeyo marakwet
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Rimoi National Park
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Sergoit hill
Education
Indicator | Statistics |
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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 Youth Polytechnics |
Adult Literacy Classes | Enrolment (Data Not available) |
Notable Secondary Schools |
|
Health
Indicator | Statistics |
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Health Facilities: | 113 - District Hospitals (2), 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: |
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Transportation
![]() | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (November 2013) |
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.
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/Kenya-iten-olympics-340_227.jpg/220px-Kenya-iten-olympics-340_227.jpg)
Notable sport personalities
Notable Athletes hailing from this county include;
Important towns
EMC Towns
Notable people
List | Achievements | |
---|---|---|
Nicholas Biwoot | Former Powerful Cabinet Minister in Government of President Daniel Toroitich arap Moi. Also known as 'TOTAL MAN' | |
Amb.Tabitha Seii | Kenya’s High Commissioner to South Africa from 2003 to 2007 | |
Julius Kipngetich | Former CEO of Kenya Wildlife Service, Formerly Equity Bank Chief Operations Officer and Currently Uchumi Supermarkets CEO | |
Philip Kiptoo Tunoi | Judge of Supreme Court of Kenya between 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 | |
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 | |
William Kiprono | Director Kenya wildlife service |
Constituency | Wards |
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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
County | Stats for the County (Percent)
|
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Urbanisation | |
Literacy | |
Attending School (15-18 Yrs) | |
Paved Roads | |
Good Roads | |
Electricity Access | |
Poverty Rate |
See also
References
- ^ "Kenya Census 2009". Scribd.com. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- ^ a b c "Elgeyo Marakwet". Crakenya.org. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- ^ "SUMMARY OF RESULTS FOR MEMBER OF COUNTY ASSEMBLY WARD REPRESENTATIVE. [MARCH 4TH 2013 - GENERAL ELECTION&*93;". Iebc.or.ke. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- ^ "Members Nominated To County Assembly Wards". Iebc.or.ke. 18 July 2013. Retrieved 22 July 2014.
- ^ Chebororwa
- ^ USAid Kenya