The Origin of the Name Kapsowar

By Benson Cheserek. Forwarded to The Wonders of Sergoit Hills Facebook group and shared there by William Kiptoo.

First shared in The Wonders of Sergoit Hills Facebook group on 21 August 2026.

Kapsowar township is the headquarters of Marakwet Sub County, or Marakwet West.

Marakwet District came about as a result of the split of Keiyo-Marakwet District. Iten remained the headquarters of Keiyo District, while Kapsowar became the headquarters of the new district.

The name Kap-so-war is borrowed from a place with sawareet (soworwoo).

Back in the day, Cheles and Kapswahili (Kambi Swahili) were heavily wooded areas with many soworwoo trees. It is from this name, soworwoo or sawareet, that the name K-a-p-s-o-w-a-r was coined.

The current location of Kapsowar Boys was originally the main residence of the forester who protected the forest.

How did the name Kapswahili come to be? I am following the responses in the comments section. I have the answer from a reliable historian. What is your recollection?

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