The Nandi Bear: A Legend of Sergoit Hill

 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 the areas around the present day KCC in Eldoret as well as Plateau area.

European farmer described it as an animal resembling a spotted hyena but much larger. It had a bear-like head, sloping hindquarters, no visible tail, and small ears. It could also stand on its hind legs and had fur and whiskers. One of its most notable features was its unique way of moving. It could sit back on its haunches with its forepaws resting on its knees and move sideways at an incredible speed. At night, it emitted a chilling wailing sound that was compared to a steam engine whistle. Kerit was also known for its ability to easily penetrate thick enclosures or bomas and could effortlessly jump over them.