Skip to main content

Rich History of Eldoret Town, Origin of Name, Population, First Investments and Growth


Are you looking for a place to invest in? Perhaps Eldoret town is your best bet.

We at Baoriat Agencies are committed and ready to help you invest – be it purchase of land for agricultural purposes, a home or for setting up a real estate.

Maybe you are interested in putting up your investment in Eldoret but you don’t know it that well, – read on for all you need to know about this town that serves as the capital of Uasin Gishu, one of the 47 counties in Kenya.

Location

Eldoret town lies south of Cherangani Hills at an elevation that varies from 2,100 meters above sea level (at Eldoret International Airport) to over 2,700 meters.

It is located in the Rift Valley region, about 325.5 kilometres from Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.

Population

According to the 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, Eldoret is the fifth most populated urban area in the country after Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru and Ruiru.

With 475,716 people, according to 2019 National Census, Eldoret is currently the fastest-growing town in Kenya.

What is the origin of the name Eldoret?

Eldoret is a name derived from a Maasai community word ‘eldore’ translated to ‘Stony River’ – in reference to Sosiani River cuts right through the town.

The Maasai community was first to live in the town and the expansive Uasin Gishu County in the 18th and 19th centuries.



When was Eldoret town started?

The origin of Eldoret town can be traced back to the arrival of 58 families of Afrikaans in 1908 who left Nakuru for the Uasin Gishu plateau after a journey from South Africa by sea and by rail from Mombasa.

The families settled in Sergoit farm – a 5,000-acre piece of land on which each family built a shack, put up fences, and started wheat, maize and vegetables farming that laid the foundation for the transformation into a prosperous agricultural region.

Eldoret town was established on the farms that the settlers referred to as ‘Farm 64’, ‘64’ or ‘Sisibo’ for the locals.


The official townsite started in 1910 with the development of a Post Office at ‘Sisibo’ that was followed shortly with the arrival of 60 more Afrikaner families in 1911.

An administrative centre was set up in the area in 1912 leading to the Post Office being renamed from ‘64’ to the new official town name – ‘Eldoret.

With the establishment of an administrative centre came a huge increase in trade that saw a bank and several shops set up.

Why 64?

64 or ‘Sisibo’ is always made in reference to Eldoret town because, then, it was located 103 kilometres (64 mi) from the newly built Uganda Railway at Kibigori. The name is still used by locals with the existence of 64 stadium in the town.

First major investments in Eldoret

The expansion of the Uganda Railway that reached Eldoret in 1924 was the start of growth and prosperity of the town. Four years later, 1928, the town had its first piped water that was supplied from Sosiani River.

In 1933, the East African Power and Lighting Company installed an electricity generator plant.

By the 1950s, Eldoret was divided into two, along the now Uganda Road – one region for the Afrikaans (on the north) and British (on the south).


The two had their own schools and recreational facilities – Afrikaans took their children to Highland School, (now Moi Girls High School) and the Brits, to Hill School. For recreation 'Brits' used the Lincoln Hotel and the Race-Course near the now "Chinese Area" while the Afrikaans converged at the Wagon Wheel Hotel.

Eldoret town is now a major investment hub in the North Rift and Western Kenya with several financial institutions including a Central Bank of Kenya branch, a host of institutions of higher learning among them three Public Universities, an international airport, a number of industries like Rift Valley Textile Company (RIVATEX), New KCC, Raiply as well as the Kenya Pipeline Depot among others.

Baoriat Agencies is committed to helping you find the best place for you to settle in Eldoret town. We walk you through the entire process of acquiring your own property in Eldoret until it has been transferred into your hands

To learn more about buying a property in Eldoret, 

Call 0721-554937

WhatsApp  https://wa.me/0721-554937  

Email evekibet@gmail.com or 

Visit us at  Juma Hajee Building room number 16, Eldoret town 

Follow our Facebook Page Boariat Agencies for the latest deals.

Related articles;



Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Major Streets in Eldoret Town – Perfect for Mega Investments

  If you are looking for a place to put your investment in around Eldoret town, then consider the Central Business District (CBD). With the growing population that is pushing the expansion of Eldoret town – which is currently an economic, education, sports, health and a transport hub for at least 23 counties in the North Rift region and Western Kenya, this Uasin Gishu’s capital is the best bet for your investment. The Eldoret CBD is comprised of FOUR major streets where you can be sure your investment of whatever kind will give you maximum returns. Here are the four major streets in Eldoret CBD: Ronald Ngala Street When you are coming into Eldoret town from Nairobi through Nakuru Highway, this is the first street you will come across as you enter the CBD. Just at the start of Ronald Ngala Street is the iconic Barng’etuny plaza – one of the oldest buildings in the town. Opposite it is several banks including Bank of Africa, Sidian Bank and Cooperative Bank. Other key facilit

How Women Can Protect Their Property Rights After Marriage

They say property has no gender, but history shows a different reality, where property ownership has favoured men. This inequality is still evident, especially when it comes to inheritance after the death of a spouse.  Even though Kenya’s 2010 Constitution guarantees equal rights for men and women, many women still struggle to secure their rights to property. So, how can women make sure their rights are respected after marriage? Baoriat Agencies explains six key ways to ensure fair property distribution in case of death or separation. 1. Registering Jointly Owned Property  When a couple buys property together, it’s important to register it under both names. This guarantees that the other automatically inherits the property if one partner dies. Make sure both names are clearly listed on the title deed as co-owners. 2. Joint Tenancy or Tenancy-in-Common There are two ways to share property: Joint tenancy : If one partner dies, the other automatically becomes the sole owner. Tenancy-in-co

List of Popular Gated Community Estates in Eldoret Town

  Eldoret town is home to over 10 residential estates that house all types of people – from the lower class to the affluent. Some of the popular estates include Kapsoya, Langas, Kimumu, Huruma and Annex among many others while there are several other upcoming residential estates like Juniorrate, Action and Pioneer which are not yet fully developed. Apart from the above-mentioned estates, we also have several gated estates, accommodating the rich and affluent in Eldoret. Also Read:  List of Estates within Eldoret Municipality A gated community is a form of residential  community  or housing estate containing strictly controlled entrances for pedestrians, bicycles, and automobiles, and often characterized by a closed perimeter of walls and fences. We take at some of the popular ones in Eldoret town, most of which house the affluent. Kenmsosa Village This is a gated community estate that houses not only residential homes but also has a resort. Kenmosa village located along Eldor