Eldoret is a town in western Kenya and the administrative centre of Uasin Gishu District of Rift Valley Province. Lying south of the Cherangani Hills, the local elevation varies from about 2100 metres above sea level at the airport to more than 2700 metres in nearby areas (7000-9000 feet). The population was 193,830 in 1999 (census), [1] and it is currently the fastest growing town in Kenya, and currently the 5th largest in Kenya.
The name 'Eldoret' is based on the Maasai word 'eldore' meaning 'stony river' [2] because the bed of the nearby Sosiani River is very stony. A 't' was added to make it sound like a Nandi word. At start of the colonial era, the area was occupied by the Nandi, before that by the Masai and before that the Sirikwa.
History
The official town site of Eldoret itself started in 1910 with a post office on what was known to the white settlers as 'Farm 64' or just '64' because, at that time it was 64 miles from the newly built Uganda Railway railhead at Kibigori. Willy van Aardt owned the farm. Peter van Aardt, now living in England, is Willy's great grandson. The Central Lounge in Eldoret is all that remains of Willy's farm.
In 1908, the Eldoret area had been settled by Afrikaans-speaking South Africans who 'trekked' there from Nakuru after a journey from South Africa by sea and by rail from Mombasa. Other European and Asian settlers and traders began arriving shortly afterwards.
When the governor decided to establish an administrative centre, the post office was renamed from '64' with the official town name 'Eldoret' in 1912.[2] Becoming an administrative centre caused an enormous increase in trade within the prospective city. A bank and several shops were built.[2]
The Uganda Railway extension, from Kibigori toward Uganda, reached Eldoret in 1924,[2] starting a new era of prosperity and growth. In 1928, a piped water supply from the Sosiani River was installed. In 1933, the East African Power and Lighting Company installed an electricity generator plant.[2] By that time, Eldoret had a small airport, and low-rental housing had been constructed.[2]
Daniel arap Moi was born in the area, and, under his presidency, the town was developed further.
In 1984, Moi University was established, named after former President Daniel arap Moi.[2]
Eldoret is sister town of Minneapolis, Minnesota [1] (since 2000).
Economy
The town is now home to a large market, Moi University and an international airport. It is also known for its cheese factory. Major industries include textiles, wheat, pyrethrum and corn. The town has a number of factories.
Eldoret boasts an international airport, voted the cleanest airport in the country in 2001.[3] It also has a university - Moi University - founded in 1984, which as of 2006 has 11,778 students.
Eldoret is the hometown of numerous Kenyan star runners, the most renowned of whom is Kipchoge Keino. The high altitude is an ideal training ground for many legendary Kenyan athletes because it trains the lungs to get more air.
