Kericho is a town in south western Kenya, and is also the headquarters of Kenya's Kericho District. With a high altitude and virtually daily rains, Kericho is the centre of Kenya's large tea industry, its town square even known as Chai Square. The largest tea factory is owned by Unilever Kenya and produces the popular Ketepa brand. Much of the tea is also exported, with the UK being the largest market. The town has an urban population of 30.000 and total population of 85.000 (1999 census [1]).
History and Culture
The town is named after a Maasai chief, Ole Kericho, who was killed there in a tribal war in the 18th century. Kericho is the home town of the Kipsigis people, who are a part of the Kalenjin people.
Kericho is sister town of Portsmouth, Virginia [2].
Famous Kenyans Born in Kericho
Kericho is the birthplace of Joginder Singh, Kenya's famous Rally Driver. Joyce Chepchumba, a successful woman marathoner and an olympic medalist is also from Kericho. Dr Baldev Singh, National Teacher of the Year for Innovation in Education in the UK in 2004 is Kericho-born.
Colleges in Kericho
Kenya Highlands Bible College and Kericho Teachers College are among notable institutions of higher learning.
Religion
Kericho is also home to Africa’s largest Gurudwara or Sikh place of worship. It is a monument, dedicated to the memory of ‘Baba Puran Singh Ji of Kericho’ who was the founder of the international charitable organisation, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha, which promotes the spirit and practice of selfless service (‘nishkam sewa’) in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith. The site has been gazetted by the Government of Kenya as a place of spiritual significance.
