Wonders of Sergoit Hills

  By William Kiptoo Sergoit Hill, a prominent rock outcrop on the Uasin Gishu Plateau, rises as a notable landmark within the scenic landscape of Kenya’s Rift Valley. Located approximately 20 kilometers northeast of Eldoret and only about 3 kilometers from the Eldoret–Iten road toward Moiben, the hill reaches an elevation of around 6,857 feet (2,090 meters) above sea level. Its healthy, temperate climate and surrounding agricultural lands make Sergoit Hill not only visually appealing but a unique destination for tourists and hikers. On a clear day, panoramic views extend to Mt. Kenya to the east, Mt. Elgon to the west, the rolling Nandi Hills to the south, and the vast Cherangany Hills to the north. Beyond its natural beauty, Sergoit Hill also serves as a sanctuary for wildlife, including the endangered Rothschild giraffe, antelopes, duikers, and various bird species. This sanctuary is co-owned by the Kruger family, residents at the hill’s base since 1908, and the Sergoit Golf and ...

  Sergoit Location is comprised of two distinct sub-locations: Kelji and Sergoit. The name Kelji has an interesting origin, as it was derived from Velji, an Indian farmer who once owned a portion of the 1,500 acre present-day Kap Eskin farm (Sosiot, Kibogy and Kambi Tatu) farm. Velji was part of the second wave of farmer settlers who took over from the Boers following their departure from Kenya after independence. Known for cultivating wattle trees, Velji left a lasting legacy in the area. In the mid-1980s, Sergoit Location underwent a division, resulting in the creation of the two sub-locations. During this time, the elders, under the leadership of Mzee Arap Gold, Chief Kangogo, Arap Sasit, Mzee Cheronyei and Councilor Richard Bargoit (the then Chairman of Wareng County Council) made the decision to change the name from Velji to Kelji. This change was made to reflect the Kalenjin word for good luck, symbolizing a new chapter for the community. Information courtesy of Michael Son...

 By William Kiptoo In the heart of Eldoret, where the streets hum with life, there’s a story that wafts through the air like the aroma of freshly baked bread. It’s the story of Paul’s Bakery—a tale of passion and irresistible pastries that have touched generations. If you’ve ever tasted a loaf from this bakery, or indulged in one of their famous cookies, you’ve already been part of that story. But where did it all begin? Let’s go back in time to uncover the roots of Eldoret’s favorite bakery. In 1965, a young Paul Kamau arrived in Eldoret, fresh from Kiambu, alongside his family. They were among many who migrated to the Rift Valley after Kenya’s independence, in search of new opportunities. Paul’s father, a military veteran, brought with him the discipline of the barracks and dreams for his children to thrive in this new town. It was in this search for a livelihood that Paul found himself apprenticed to a Goan businessman named Paul, the owner of a modest bakery in Eldoret. The coi...

By William Kiptoo   Kaptuli area in Moiben, Uasin Gishu, Kenya, is thriving community. The area is located in Tembelio Ward, in Moiben sub-county. The center is located along the Eldoret-Iten road, some 22 Kms from Eldoret city. The name is derived from "Tooley," with the Kalenjin translation meaning "the home of Tooley." After many years of stagnation, Kaptuli has witnessed significant developments, and has transformed into a bustling center of economic and social activity. These days, Kaptuli has new establishment including shops, eateries, grocery stores, hardware outlets, and maize-selling stores. It is the only center in the North Rift that passion fruit is being collected and exported to Uganda. This shift is part of a broader trend among local farmers, who are moving away from traditional maize and wheat farming towards horticulture and diversified farming practices. Kaptuli remains the only center where the sale of alcohol is banned, and no bars exist, pres...

  By William Kiptoo Hidden away in the rolling plains near Eldoret, Langas Farm was once a sprawling 100-acre estate, its boundaries lost to time and overgrown hedges, yet its history still whispered among the locals. The farm’s story began long before its troubles, during the British colonial era, when a white settler by the name of Gordon lorded over the land. It was a time when the rich, fertile soils of the Rift Valley were carved up and handed to foreigners, leaving native communities on the fringes of their own ancestral lands. But in 1964, just one year after Kenya’s independence, a new chapter for Langas Farm began. A group of African businessmen pooled together Ksh 100,000—a considerable fortune in those days—and formed the Langas Farm Ltd. The company’s 52 shareholders dreamed of owning a piece of the once-colonial land, imagining the prosperity that could come from farming its lush acres. They appointed Joseph Arap Korir, a man of influence, as the director, and Kiprotic...

  By William Kiptoo One of the legends of Sergoit is the Nandi Bear or the Kerit as was popularly known: It is also known as Chebokeri, Chemosit, Koddoelo, Ngoloko, or Duba. The Samburu call it Nkampit. This mysterious animal, which became extinct in the 1920s when most of the land in Uasin Gishu was cleared for farming, was the subject of many legends and was believed to have roamed freely in Sergoit early in the century. The Kerit folklore was the mystery around the creature which caused so much fear that people used to wear clay cooking pots on their heads everytime they went outside the house to pee at night to avoid it being snatched away by the Kerit. It was believed that Kerit preferred to eat human brains and would detect humans from miles away and arrive at lightning speed. Children were warned never to loiter or stay out late in the dark because of Kerit. When the European settlers arrived in Uasin Gishu, they first spotted the Kerit in 1906 and 1911 in Sergoit hill and t...