Wonders of Sergoit Hills

  This story, from the 2007 edition of Habari Magazine (Friends of East Africa), describes the area between Kaptuli and Chepkoilel (Kabao). The mention of Plip Prinsloo's former home (now Kaplogoi) and Sony Cloette's home (now Koitoror) suggests that Piet Davies' home could be nearby, likely not far from the Sergoit hill area as indicated in the photos. Can anyone identify Davies' and De Waal's homes? ...As we passed Iten it stood there, as it always has Sergoit Rock. A short way along the road we recognised what we thought was Piet Davies' old house. We tried to find a way of getting to Tom Davies' old house, but the area was fenced, we could not find a gate and did not have that much time. There was the main road to Eldoret, another going north and a rough track in the general direction of Plateau. This proved to be the old road that we remembered. Flip Prinsloo's old house can still be seen as well as Sonny Cloete's which is surrounded by trees. W...

 By William Kiptoo For centuries, the Marakwet people of Kenya have quietly demonstrated a level of engineering mastery that rivals many ancient civilizations. Located within the dramatic terrain of the Kerio Valley and the Elgeyo Escarpment, this community developed an intricate irrigation system by hand, carving furrows into solid volcanic rock to guide water from seasonal springs to semi-arid farmland. Archaeological evidence places the origins of these irrigation furrows at over 500 years ago. But it is not just the age of the system that is remarkable, it is the complexity and precision. The primary canals begin at carefully scouted spring sources, usually perched high on the escarpment. These channels maintain a consistent gradient of roughly 1:1,000, just enough to ensure water flows steadily without causing erosion. Secondary furrows branch out from the main lines with calibrated turns and intersections, regulated using stone checks and wooden weirs. Channel linings of comp...

By William Kiptoo   In 2011, Sergoit grabbed national headlines when plans for the Sergoit Golf and Wildlife Resort were unveiled. Marketed as a game-changing project, it was pitched as Kenya’s first true “sports city.” Investors promised a five-star hotel, championship golf courses, an athletics track to build on Eldoret’s reputation as the home of champions, a private airstrip, and luxury residential estates. Conservation was also part of the package, with a wildlife sanctuary integrated into the development.  The project generated enormous hype. Land prices in the area surged, and locals were told to expect jobs, infrastructure, and global attention. At the time, even rumors circulated that the Kruger family, long-time farmers around Sergoit, would exit Kenya after selling large tracts of land to developers. But more than a decade later, the dream has stalled. The grand masterplans and promotional pitches have given way to silence. No golf course, no hotel, no airstrip. Ins...

 By William Kiptoo Have you ever heard of the name Chemwaka? It is a common male name among the Marakwet. Well, the name has an interesting historical origin tied to migration and labor during the colonial period. It is derived from the Swahili word Mwaka, meaning a year. In the past, many men from Marakwet would leave home to seek employment in the Shamba, the Kenya white highlands. They worked mainly in manual jobs such as guards, shamba boys, herdsmen, and similar roles. Typically, they would stay away for about a year before returning home. Over time, children who were born and raised away from Marakwet, especially in these work areas, came to be referred to as Chemwaka, meaning those born and bred away from home. When they eventually returned, many of them did not fully understand the local language or community customs. As a result, a clear distinction developed between those who had grown up locally and those who had grown up elsewhere. That distinction still exists today. E...