TOURIST SITES IN KERICHO

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 20^th 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.