Geography of Kericho County

Kericho County is located in the Rift Valley, it borders the following counties; Nandi to the North, Uasin Gishu and Baringo to the North East, Nakuru to the East and South East, Bomet to the South, Nyamira and Homa-Bay to the South West, and Kisumu County to the West and North West.

 Area (Km 2): 2,479.0 Km 2

 Climate/Weather: Temperatures range from a minimum of 16°C to a maximum of 20°C. The average rainfall ranges between 1,400 mm and 2,000mm per annum.

 Road Network: Bitumen Surface (184.9 Km), Gravel Surface (96.4 Km), Earth Surface (846 Km)

Key National Monument(s): Gurudwara (Sikh place of Worship)

 Population of Kericho County

Population: 758,339 (Male – 50 %, Female – 50 %)

Population Density: 306 people per Km 2

National Percentage: 1.96 %

Annual Growth Rate: 2.4%

Age Distribution: 0-14 years (43.6 %), 15-64 years (53.4 %), 65+ years (3.0 %)

 Number of Households: 160,134

 Government of Kericho County

 County Capital: Kericho Town (Proposed)

Number of Constituencies (2010): 4 (Bureti, Belgut, Ainamoi, Kipkelion)

 Registered Voters: 263,018

National percentage: 2.1 %

Number of Districts (2009): 2 (Kericho, Kipkelion)

Number of Local Authorities (2010): 6 (Kericho Municipal Council, Kipsigis and Bureti County Councils, Kipkelion, Litein, and Londiani Town councils)

 Economy of Kericho County

 Poverty Level: 42.8 %

Age Dependency Ratio: 100:87

Resources: Mau Forest, Arable Land, Water, Livestock

Tourist Attractions: Monkey Sanctuary, Bird Watching, Chagic Botanic Garden, Mau Forest

Financial Services: 9 Commercial Banks, 4 Micro-Finance Institutions

Main Economic Activities/Industries: Tea Growing and Processing, Dairy Farming, Horticulture and Floriculture, Wheat, Fish Farming, Commercial Businesses

Agricultural Products: Maize, Beans, Potatoes, Vegetables, Tea, Coffee

 Education in Kericho County

 Number of Institutions (2007): Primary (461), Secondary (106)

 Primary: Enrolment (163,133)

Teacher to Pupil Ratio: 1: 43 (Public Schools)

 Secondary: Enrolment (30,375)

Teacher to Pupil Ratio: 1:33 (Public Schools)

Tertiary: Over 15 (Comprised of University Satellite Campus, Youth Polytechnics, Teacher Training Colleges, Medical Training College, Technical Colleges, and Several Commercial Colleges)

Adult Literacy Classes: Enrolment (Data Not available)

 Health in Kericho County

 Health Facilities: 136 – District Hospitals (3), Sub-District Hospitals (2), Dispensaries (105), Health Centres (9), Medical Clinics (7), VCT Centres (3), Others (7)

Doctor to Population Ratio: 1:15,000

Infant Mortality Rates: 35/1000

Under Five Mortality Rates: 100/1000

Prevalent Diseases: Malaria, Skin Infections, Upper Respiratory Tract Infections

Notable Hospitals: Kericho, Sigowet and Londiani (District Hospitals)