William Chemweno’s Legacy of Business and Farming in Uasin Gishu

By William Kiptoo

In the heart of Eldoret town, where Uganda Road intersects with Oloo Street, stands Wilchem Building, a structure that holds the memories of a bygone era. For many residents, Wilchem isn’t just a business complex—it’s a symbol of the town’s vibrant commercial life during the 1990s and early 2000s. At its peak, the building hosted popular enterprises like Baringo Drapers, a popular clothing and fabric store, Otto Café—now Otto Line—and Sai Electronics, a household name for consumer goods. Even today, the building houses essential businesses, including Kenya Seed and Eldoret Shuttle offices, contributing to the town’s bustling economy and modern urban life.

Behind this iconic building was William Chemweno, a visionary entrepreneur and farmer from Moiben, Uasin Gishu County. Chemweno, along with other prominent Keiyo businessmen such as Kiboy and Atanas Kandie, made early investments in town and were instrumental in shaping Eldoret’s early growth. Their investments in real estate and business laid the foundation for the town’s commercial success, while their influence extended beyond urban development and into the agricultural fields of Uasin Gishu.

Beyond his ventures in Eldoret, Chemweno’s true passion lay in farming. On his 5,000-acre estate in Moiben, he practiced large-scale agriculture, focusing on maize, wheat, and other high-value crops. Embracing modern farming techniques, he was known for his dedication to sustainable farming practices, earning him a reputation as one of the region’s leading agriculturalists. His name is often mentioned alongside Silas Tiren and Jackson Kibor, two other influential farmers, for his role in land development and commercial farming.

Chemweno’s dual success in farming and business made him a respected figure in Uasin Gishu. His ventures not only shaped the region’s economy but also inspired future generations to pursue entrepreneurship and agriculture with the same passion.

On November 11, 2020, Chemweno passed away at the age of 91. His impact remains deeply felt in Eldoret and Moiben, where his life’s work is celebrated as part of the region’s history and development.



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