Kericho
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Kericho is a town in southwestern Kenya, and is also the headquarters of Kenya's Kericho District. With a high altitude and virtually daily rains, Kericho is the centre of Kenya's large tea industry, its town square even known as Chai Square. Some of the largest tea companys including Unilever Kenya, James Finlay and Williamson tea are based here. It is also home to the popular Ketepa brand. Much of the tea is also exported, with the UK being the largest market. The town has an urban population of 30.000 and total population of 85.000 (1999 census [1]).
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[edit] History and Culture
The town is named after a Maasai chief, Ole Kericho, who was killed there in a tribal war in the 18th century. Kericho is the home town of the Kipsigis people, who are a part of the Kalenjin people. The Kalenjins are well known to be good in Athletics. Such athletes as Kipchoge Keino have brought great victory during World Athlethic Competitions. The Kalenjins are also well known for their drink, Mursik.
Kericho was split in the 1990s to curve out Bomet and Bureti districts. In June 2007 Kipkelion district was again curved out of Kericho.
[edit] Administration
Kericho forms a municipality with nine wards. Six of them (Central, Chelimo, Kimugu, Kapkugerwet, Kipchimchim and Motobo) belong to the Belgut constituency and remaining three (Cheptororiet, Kapsuser and Kipkoiyan) belong to Ainamoi constituency. Both constituencies have additional wards located within Kipsigis County Council, the rural council of Kericho District [2].
Kericho is sister town of Portsmouth, Virginia [1].
[edit] Famous people from Kericho
Kericho is the birthplace of Joginder Singh, Kenya's famous Rally Driver. Joyce Chepchumba, a successful woman marathoner and an olympic medalist is also from Kericho. Dr Baldev Singh, National Teacher of the Year for Innovation in Education in the UK in 2004 is Kericho-born.
[edit] Colleges in Kericho
Kenya Highlands Bible College - run by the Africa Gospel Church, it offers degree courses in Theology, Computer Science and Education. Kericho Teachers Training College - recently began offering degree courses under agreement with Moi University. Kenya Forestry College - Londiani
[edit] Schools in Kericho
There are many schools in Kericho including some of the following:
- Kericho High School
- Kipsigis Girls High School
- Kabianga High School
- Sosiot Girls Secondary School
- Kericho Day Secondary School
- Kericho Tea Secondary School
- Moi Tea Girls High School
- Cheptenye High School
- Moi Sitotwet High School
- Londiani High School
- Londiani Girls High School
- Kipchimchim Secondary School
- Kericho Primary School
- Eland Academy
- Kapmaso Day Secondary School
- Kabokiek Adventist Secondary School
- Soliat Boys Secondary School
- Chemamul Secondary School
- Koiwalelach Girls Secondary School
- Kakibei Secondary School
- Mercy Girls Secondary School
- Kaborok Secondary School
- Kiptere Secondary School
- St Thomas Mindililwet Secondary School
- Milimani Secondary School
[edit] Religion
Kericho residents are mostly Christians. The most widespread church is the Africa Gospel Church which has affiliations with The World Gospel Mission. The church has the biggest church in the district in the town (Emmanuel AGC) and heart centers at Cheptenye, Chepkutung, Keongo, Kipkelion, Londiani, Kabianga and Kaptebeswet.
The other churches present in the district include AIC, Catholic Church, Anglican Church, SDA, Full Gospel and a host of Independent churches.
Kericho is also home to Africa's largest Gurudwara or Sikh place of worship. It is a monument, dedicated to the memory of "Baba Puran Singh Ji of Kericho" who was the founder of the international charitable organisation, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha which promotes the spirit and practice of selfless service ("nishkam sewa") in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith. The site has been gazetted by the Government of Kenya as a place of spiritual significance.
[edit] References
- ^ Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: Population of local authorities
- ^ Electoral Commission of Kenya: Registration centres by electoral area and constituency
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Kericho also holds the muslim faith with at least two mosques.
