History of Tugen Estate

By William Kiptoo

Tugen Estate farm is located in Moiben, Uasin Gishu a few kilometers from Sergoit Hill, about 30kms along the Eldoret-Moiben Road. It is one of the most vibrant communities in Sergoit.

The area has a well managed primary & secondary school, an operational cooperative society which a milk cooler, a dispensary, several churches, dips, and other facilities. Tugen Estate boasts of this iconic rock landmark, that serves as a poignant reminder of the Boer settlements in Uasin Gishu. This significant structure was erected by the settlers at an undisclosed date, and continues to hold immense value as a distinguishing feature of the Tuiyo Tich cooperative society.



History

After the departure of Boers from Kenya to South Africa in 1962, Tarlochan Singh Rai, the patriarch acquired the 1900 acres Tugen Estate farm along with Ray Farm and Chemelil Sisal estate, through the Rai Brothers. The Rai Brother had farming interests and had also bought tea and coffee estate in Zaire (now DR Congo) from Belgians who were leaving in 1963.

Rai Brothers operated until 1969 when it sold their Rai Agricultural Estate including farms in Tugen Estate and Ray Farm. The proceeds of the sale went into incorporating Rai Timber into RaiPly with his four sons; Jaswant, Jasbir, Sarbjit and Iqbal Rai in 1971. This gave way to the Tugen Estate Farmers cooperative.

Tugen Estate company was established in Baringo to cater for the the residents of Baringo North, Central and South. A few families from Rongai and Kilgoris were later incorporated.

The land was a compromise offer after the then Vice President D.T. Moi failed to secure the 2000 acres Olenguroni farm and Kitale DC farm for his Baringo residents. That explains the origin of the name Tugen Estate.

The company carried out large-scale farming until 1984 when the land was subdivided, and members began to settle on the farm in 1985.

Tugen Estate in the background in 1983 as viewed from Sergoit Hill.

No photo description available.
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