ELDORET TOWN ESTATES

(Adopted from The Standard, Jan, 26, 2022)

Eldoret town in Uasin Gishu is a rapidly growing urban center with a population of nearly half a million according to the 2019 national census. It is the sixth most populated town in Kenya after Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Ruiru.

Eldoret is known for having some of the oldest estates, established as people migrated to urban areas in search of jobs starting in the 1960s. These estates have unique names based on the social status and race of the residents.

Some estates existed even before independence, with Africans living in estates like Kidiwa, Macharia, Kilimani, Majengo, and Kapsuswo near the Kipchoge Keino Stadium. Somalis lived in Kampi Somali, Indians in Eldoret West, and whites in Elgon View and Kapsoya estates.

Elgon View estate was associated with affluent individuals such as politicians, athletes, civil servants, and businessmen. The estate was home to whites, government officials, and colonial administrators.

After independence, Eldoret experienced steady growth, with the local municipality constructing estates like Bondeni, Kuria, Paul Ngei, Shauri, and Kipchoge and renting them out.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the population grew rapidly due to the establishment of industries like Rivatex, Raymond, Ken Knit, Rai Plywood Limited, Dollar Maize Meal, Unga Limited, Pembe, Steel Mill Industries, and Kenya Cooperative Creameries. The Coca-Cola Company also set up operations in the town.

During this time, rural-urban migration became common as people moved to Eldoret in search of work, leading to a housing shortage. Kipkaren estate was then developed to provide housing for low-income earners.

Many workers from Rivatex lived in Kipkaren estate, while others resided in Langas. Kapsoya estate was expanded by the municipality to create a well-planned estate with improved infrastructure like tarmacked roads and street lights.

Other estates like Langas, Huruma, Kamukunji, Munyaka, Kimumu, and Sukunanga developed as residents sold their land for quick money. These estates attracted casual workers due to their affordability. Eldoret's growth is also fueled by the presence of colleges, university campuses, and residential estates. Other upcoming estates include Subaru, Jerusalem, Kiplombe,Kipkorgot among others.

Huruma, one of the oldest estates located along the Eldoret-Malaba highway, saw growth with the establishment of the Rai Plywoods Company in 1973. Other estates like Maili Nne and Mwanzo have since emerged around Huruma.

West Indies, originally inhabited by people of Indian descent, features old buildings with traditional Indian architecture. Railway and Mwanzo estates were home to Kenya Railways workers, while West market primarily housed municipal staff

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