Introduction

It is located in the former Rift Valley Province. Its capital and largest town is Iten. It borders the counties of West Pokot to the north, Baringo County to the east, southeast and south, Uasin Gishu to the southwest and west, and Trans Nzoia to the northwest.

Constituencies

1. Marakwet East,
2. Marakwet West,
3. Keiyo North,
4. Keiyo South.

Physical features

Rivers

• River Kerio
• Torok river

Hills

• Cherang'any Hills
• Sergoit hill

Plains

•   Alluvial plain

Valleys

• Elgeyo Escarpment

 Importance of physical features

• Source of revenue through tourist attraction
• Physical features provide a natural habitat to plants, birds and animals.
• Hill tops were considered sacred places for worship.

Types of natural vegetation

• Forest vegetation

Importance of vegetation

• The forests vegetation contributes to rainfall in the county.
• Vegetation provides natural habitat to plants, animal and birds.
• The vegetation is also a source of revenue through tourist attraction

Map of distribution of physical features

 

People and population

Language groups

• The Elgeyo also called the Keiyo are an ethnic group that is part the larger Kalenjin ethnic group of Nilotic origin. The Marakwet are also a dominant language group in the area. They are all Highland nilotes. These are the two main language groups in the county. Other language groups are the Kikuyu in small numbers, the Pokot, Sabaot, Tugen and Nandi are also present.

Areas of high population density

• Iten is the highest populated town.

Areas of low population density 

• Kabetwa is the least populated town. 

Social relations and culturlal activities

Traditional way of life of the people

Food

Like all Highland Nilotes, they ate animal products like meat, milk and blood from their sheep, goat and cattle. They also ate grains.

Dressing

They wore animal skins. Men covered their waist and had a hat. Women covered their waist and chest. Cattle and sheep provided the skins for dressing.

Songs and dances

Their traditional music lay put much emphasis on the use of vocal resources. Although pure instrumental music is performed, it is exception rather than the rule, for the people prefer to sing. They sing while they work and they sing for joy. 

Traditional medical practices

They had healers who gathered herbs for healing the sick.

Ceremonies and festivals held 

Ceremonies

• Birth and naming

The following factors were considered
in naming;
Naming according to time of birth, naming according to events, naming according to ancestors, naming according to place of birth, naming according to seasons, naming according to the situation of
birth, naming according to the character, naming according to body posture, naming after heroes and heroines, naming According to time of Birth.
Giving birth to a child is called Tumet. The expectant mother is called Tamonet/chi nyigis and after giving birth is called saloita (ne kochuut go). In naming boys or male child, the prefix Kip starts and then time or event apart of Cheruiyot. For girls or females Chep starts followed by time, in Nandi Chep sometimes is replaced
with Jep probably based on pronunciation.

• Initiation

After male youths were circumcised, they were secluded for lengthy periods during which they were instructed in the skills necessary for adulthood. Afterward, they would begin a phase of warriors during which they acted as the military force of the tribe. Elders provided guidance and wisdom. Today, age-sets have lost their military function, but still provide bonds between men of the same set. Female age-sets have lost much of their importance.

Festivals

• Harvest

This was followed with danced and singing to give thanks for the good harvest.

• Music

Music and dance was performed specifically for entertainment, as a recreational activity or performed whenever required.

Resources and economic activities

Agriculture

Cash crops and food crops grown

• The Highlands are ideal dairy farming and cash & food crop production. These crops include; tea, pyrethrum, potatoes, passion fruits, vegetables (cabbages, kales, carrots and peas), temperate fruits, Maize, wheat and beans.
• The Lowland is ideal for production of  Mangoes, Oranges, Avocadoes, Bananas, Tomatoes, Pawpaw, Groundnuts, Passion fruits, Watermelon, dryland cereals (millets, maize, pearl millets and sorghum) and legumes (beans, pigeon peas, green grams, cowpeas, soya, and chickpeas).

Areas where the cash crops are grown. 

• Chesoi
• Chebara
• Nyaru
• Iten
• Chepkum

Fishing

Areas where fishing is practiced

• River Kerio
• Torok waterfalls
• Chebara Dam

Forestry

Major of forests 

• Kapcherop Forest
• Kaptagat Forest
• Embobut Forest
• Kipkabus Forest

Wildlife and Tourism

Types of wildlife

• Buffalo’s
• Giraffes
• Elephant
• Snakes

Game parks and reserves 

• Rimoi National Reserve
• Kerio Valley National Reserve

Major attactions sites

• Kerio Valley National Reserve
• Elgeyo Escarpment
• Sports Tourism
• Paragliding
• Cherang'any Hills
• River Kerio
• Rimoi National Reserve
• Torok waterfalls
• Chebara Dam
• Sergoit Hill
• Lake Kapnorok
• Cheploch Gorge
• Kipteber Meteorite Historical Mountain
• Kureswo Hotsprings

Industries

Traditional industries

Products of traditional industries

• Agriculture
• Hunting and gathering
• Fishing

Trade

Major trading centres

• Chesoi
• Chebara
• Chepkum
• Iten