TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
SITES
Kericho County is one of the 14 counties in the Rift Valley
region of Kenya. It lies between longitude 350 40’ East and between
the equator at latitude 0 23’ South. The county is bordered by the Uasing Gishu
County to the north, Baringo County to the northeast, Nandi County to the
northwest,Nakuru to the east and bomet County to the south. It is bordered to
the Southwest by Nyamira and Homabay counties and to the West by Kisumu County.
The county covers a total area of 2,479sq. km
Kericho county tourist attraction sites include;
1. Chebulu
Conservancy
Chebulu Conservancy is located in Sigowet ward, Soin Sigowet
Sub County. It is made up of the Chebulu forest which is among the remaining
indigenous forests in the country. The forest covers an area of approximately
21 acres and is located on the busy Sosiot-Sondu highway. It is home to
hundreds of magnificent trees estimated to be more than 400 years old. Some of the trees in the forest are upto 100m
in height. Wild animals found in the forest include among others monkeys,
baboons and numerous types of birds that have made this forest their home.
River Chebulu has its source here and its waters serve
approximately 7,000 residents surrounding the forest and their animals in mine
villages located downstream.
The conservancy was set aside as a community property and
water tower for Chebulu River when the land was demarcated in 1972. The
demarcation was done by elders led by the chief Arap Keryo.
The potential tourist attractions include; a camp site and
pathfinders lead the tourists in rock climbing and in overlooking Nyabondo
plateau of Nyanza region.
2.
Tulwap Kipsigis
Tulwapsigis (Tulwop Kipsigis) is a very important monument
in the history of the Kipsigis, a sub-tribe of the larger Kalenjin ethnic group
in Kenya. Located along the Kipkelion-Londiani Junction, legends put it that
the kipsigis trekked all the way from Egypt in the legendary times of the
Israelites moving out of the ‘’Land of bondage”. As many Bible historians have tried to associate
this group of people (kalenjin) with the Hebrews, especially that they
share much in common in terms of cultural practices, the values of the Kipsigis
in many ways, in many ways indeed resemble that of the Israelites. It is said
that once the entire Kalenjin group reached the mount Elgon (Tulwopkony), after
the long trek from Egypt, they sought to spread out into diaspora in search of
pasture and space to live. It is in this dispersal that saw the Nandi settle in
their current settlement, the Tugen in Baringo and the Kipsigis finally
reaching the present South Western end of the vast Rift Valley province of
Kenya. Settling down in their abode, the Kipsigis recollected after a tedious
and somewhat dangerous journey and they realized that the long journey had
robbed them of their cherished culture. They convened and rekindled the customs
of circumcision. It was here at the Mount Kipsigis (Tulwapsigis), that they
revisited their ancient cultural practices of circumcision and worship to God
(Chepongolo, Chepkelyen)
3.
Chagaik Arboretum
Chagaik arboretum is one of the key tourist sites in Kericho
County, Kenya. It has a very beautiful and serene scenery ideal for sightseeing
and picnics.
4.
Tagabi Monkey Sanctuary
The facility is located at Changoi and has a nature trail
suitable for visitors interested in nature walks. It is home to vervet monkeys
which roam freely around the sanctuary.
5. Fort-Tenan
Museum
Fort-Tenan museum is situated 50 kilometers East of Kisumu
and 5 Kilometres East of Koru centre. The museum which is located 3kms from the
Londiani-Muhoroni.
This is an archeological site where fossils of the ancient
man kenyapithecus were first discovered by Dr Louis Leaky in the
year 1962.
6.
Mau Forest
The Mau Forest is one of the few remaining indigenous
forests in Kenya. It is home to a variety of birds, and butterfly species.
There are also mammals such as forest elephants. A number of rivers originate
from this forest as well as waterfalls. The forest is ideal for tourists who
are interested in bird watching and nature walk expeditions.
7. Kapkatet
Museum
Established on the 20th October, 2008 and located
in Kapkatet town of Kericho County, Kapkatet Museum is a practical appreciation
and salutation of the culture of the Kipsigis people and their traditions
through various artifacts and information dating back to many years ago, which
have been preserved in the museum.
8. Agro
Tourism
Kericho County is the leading tea producing county in Kenya. Tourists interested in agro-tourism can therefore enjoy the lush green country of the tea fields that cut
across the county while sampling the rich culture and hospitality of the
Kericho County People.
