Wonders of Sergoit Hills

Back in August 1975, Eldoret Nursing Home started off as a small facility on Makasembo Road. It was just a tiny house providing basic healthcare services to the local community. As Eldoret town grew, so did the need for better healthcare. This led to significant improvements and expansions at the nursing home. Eventually, on July 21, 1993, it officially became Eldoret Hospital Ltd. To keep up with the increasing demand for medical services, Eldoret Hospital has been expanding its offerings. In 2002, they opened Eldoret Hospital Doctors Plaza, where specialized consultant clinics are located. In 2021, the hospital opened its Annex branch in Kericho, reaching even more patients in the South Rift region of Kenya. Eldoret Hospital is equipped with a 24-hour casualty department, a pharmacy, advanced laboratory facilities, major and minor theatres, and top-notch radiology and cardiology departments. The hospital boasts a diverse team of specialists, including ENT specialists, pediatricians, ...

by William Kiptoo Located in Sergoit in Moiben Sub-county, Moiben Junction has emerged as the fastest-growing commercial center in Uasin Gishu County. Established barely a decade ago, the once-quiet outpost has transformed into an important economic hub, driven largely by its strategic location and vibrant agricultural hinterland. A New Economic Frontier Moiben Junction now hosts a wide array of enterprises. There are new buildings popping up, along with various types of businesses like small retail shops, hardware stores, restaurants, pharmacies, electronic shops, and even a petrol station and timber yards. A Chinese company has also set up a timber business, exporting products directly to China. One of the biggest game changers in recent years has been the establishment of multiple maize weighbridges. These have turned Moiben Junction into a magnet for millers from as far as Nairobi and Embu, keen to tap into the abundant maize harvests from the surrounding fertile farms. During the ...

By William Kiptoo The Kerio Valley basin in Kenya has endured a series of environmental hardships over the years, including severe droughts and devastating floods that have shaped the lives and movements of its inhabitants. One of the most catastrophic droughts in the region’s history was the  Kiptabis  drought of 1894, which caused widespread suffering and displacement among local communities. This was followed by the  Kiplelkowo  drought and famine of 1942/43, which had a profound impact on the Keiyo, Marakwet and Pokot people. The prolonged dry spell forced many Keiyo people to migrate to the southern highlands near Chepkorio in search of food and pasture. During this period, they entrusted some of their livestock to others under a shared ownership arrangement. However, due to the strong bonds of friendship and shared hardships, some creditors either forgave the debt or simply failed to reclaim their animals. In 1961, the region faced yet another crisis, this time...

 by William Kiptoo The  Kiptabis  famine of 1894 was one of the most severe droughts recorded in Kerio Valley, forcing many Keiyo people to migrate to Maasailand, Tugen, Nandi, and Moiben in search of food. This led to widespread displacement and suffering, with entire families uprooted from their ancestral lands. According to research, the famine was particularly devastating for women and children. With food supplies depleted, nursing mothers could no longer produce milk, resorting to feeding their babies boiled herbs, which ultimately led to high infant mortality. Mothers, consumed by grief, carried their babies' corpses to the bush to be devoured by hyenas. Hunger was so extreme that women tied stones around their bellies to suppress the pangs, waiting for scraps from their families. Local folklore say children suffered severe malnutrition, causing their rectums to protrude due to muscle collapse. In desperation, some parents sold their children to the Nandi in exchang...

By William Kiptoo Ken-Knit (Kenya) Ltd. is a textile manufacturing company located in Eldoret, Kenya. It was founded in 1966 by three brothers - Gulabchand Shah, Somchand Shah, and Keshavlal Shah. With an initial capital of Sh50,000, the company started small with just one knitting machine producing hand-knitting yarn. However, over time, they expanded into spinning, blankets, knitwear, and other products. Initially focusing on hand-knitting yarn, Ken-Knit soon diversified into spinning units, blanket departments, and knitwear. They have grown into a major textile manufacturer in East Africa, known for their quality knitwear. In the late 1970s, they introduced a Composite spinning and dyeing plant for various types of yarn. Ken-Knit has kept up with modern technology, investing in machinery to ensure top quality and durability in their products. Ken-Knit offers a wide range of products, including sweaters, blankets, Maasai shukas, pillows, and kikois. They are also a leading manufactur...

Eldoret White Castle Motel stands as one of the largest and most iconic hotels in Eldoret City. Established in 1985 and strategically located along Eldoret’s main highway, the motel is a central hub for both accommodation and entertainment, attracting both local and international travelers. One of the most memorable businesses within building was Sam’s Discotheque Club, a legendary entertainment spot which was famous for its electrifying jam sessions, a favourite entertainment for young revelers offering unmatched nightlife and music entertainment in Eldoret. White Castle Motel was the brainchild of Samuel Muchai Kinyanjui, a prominent businessman who originally hailed from Gatundu, Kiambu County. Muchai was was a descendant of Paramount Chief Kinyanjui wa Gathirimu who was one of Waiyaki wa Hingas servant. Muchai’s entrepreneurial journey began in the 1960’s where he started as a “Fundi” in Kiambu before venturing into construction and real estate development. His success as a contrac...

  by William Kiptoo Charar Settlement Scheme is located in Moiben, Uasin Gishu County. It was established as part of the Kenyan government's land transfer program that started in the 1960s and 1970s aimed to transfer land from white settlers to Africans, with the assistance of a loan from the British government. Covering approximately 607 hectares of farmland the area is one of the 33 settlement schemes in Uasin Gishu County. It was allocated in 1982 and officially registered in 1990. The scheme was created to accommodate 162 Kalenjin settlers who were previously farm workers at Karo/Emsilies and neighboring farms in Moiben sub-county. Each individual of the Scheme was allocated a minimum of 5 acres of land, with a special plot of 100 acres designated for Charar school. The special plot was a hundred-acre piece of land surrounding the farmhouse of the colonial settlers. It often came with unique conditions regarding usage or transfer compared to standard plots within the scheme du...

  In the 1980s/90s village discos were extremely popular, especially in many rural areas of Kenya. In Many Kalenjin counties, these vibrant social events were referred to as Tansi (dance). They brought together local youth, particularly during holidays and typically took place at night in someone's home or an outdoor area, featuring music, dance, and a sense of camaraderie among participants. Girls from other villages were often invited by boys, and it was important for the girls to be accompanied by boys and brought back home safely by their parents. The boys who owned music record players were especially popular and attracted many girls. How Tansi Worked The boys would plan ahead and contribute money for refreshments like bread and tea to entertain the girls. They would then write invitation letters and distribute them to their friends or directly to the girls about a week before the Tansi. Attendance was by invite only, so not just anyone could come. Every village had to bring t...

  If you’ve ever been to Eldoret and craved fresh bread and pastries, chances are you’ve heard of Pauls Bakery. Established in 1977 by the late Paul Kamau, this family-run bakery has been delighting the North Rift region for decades. Known for their signature cookies and hot, freshly baked bread, Pauls Bakery is a name synonymous with quality and nostalgia. Originally working for a Goan baker, Paul Kamau took over the business, transforming it into a local favorite. By the 1980s, it had become a professional and reputable establishment, delivering freshly baked goods across the region. Their downtown shop at Opera Building is still a go-to spot for a quick bite of Nusu Mkate paired with a cold soda. Paul’s legacy, has gone as far as Naivasha and Nairobi. From their humble beginnings to becoming a regional powerhouse, Pauls Bakery remains a cherished gem of Eldoret.

  Just 20 kilometers northeast of Eldoret town, on the Moiben plateau, lies Sergoit Hill, a stunning tree-covered rocky outcrop surrounded by vast wheat farms. This natural hill hosts an extraordinary tradition that has endured for nearly 50 years: the Sergoit Hill Annual Pilgrimage. Every Christmas and New Year, in a festive spirit, hundreds of people hike to the top of Sergoit Hill in a ritual reminiscent of the biblical gathering of saints. From the hilltop, pilgrims enjoy breathtaking views of the sprawling wheat farms, the Cherang’any and Ndalat Hills, and the serene landscape that stretches beyond the horizon. The views are stunning and the gentle mountain breeze and tranquil environment create a refreshing escape for all who visit. Believed to have started in the 1970s, the Sergoit Hill Pilgrimage has grown into a defining feature of the local culture. With nearly five decades of history, the Sergoit Hill Annual Pilgrimage represents a unique cultural treasure. And although ...