Eldoret

Street in Eldoret 60's

It is sunday  morning  im sitted overlooking the breathtaking highlands of rift valley what I have planned for my day is hectic but wanting to sneak in a moment to blog,and write about this beautiful town in kenya ,a town which was apparently started by a few South African farmers a century ago 


In 1908, fifty eight families of Afrikaans-speaking South Africans settlers "trekked" to the Uashin Gishu plateau from South Africa by sea and by rail from Mombasa. They were followed by sixty more families in 1911 and more later..Eldoret was established in the midst of the farms they created.i guess Kruger Farm is a proof enough.

farming at Kruger  farm

Unlike the hustling, bustling capital of Nairobi, eldoret  is easy-going 
and laid-back. The locals live by the ideology of Hakuna Matata
(don't worry).as if nothing really happened few years ago , It is
one town that was hardest hit by the post election violence 
that was sparked off by the announcement of the presidential 
results early 2008 ,people are friendly and generous ,give even
when they have nothing to give. taking each day as it comes 
most most  live below poverty line though 

The name "Eldoret" is based on the Maasai word "eldore" meaning "stony river  because the bed of the nearby Sosiani River is very stony, white settlers decided to call it Eldoret beacause it was easier for them to pronounce that way  ,the town has a population of aproximatly 300000 as per GeoNames geographical database 2010 -2011


Athletics   
Once  regarded as a sport for people who cannot make it in formal employment, athletics is continuously becoming one of the fastest tale to riches. It is estimated that Sh500 million is shipped annually into Kenya by athletes, contributing to economic growth. This town has produced more champion athletes  than any other city in the world. These international stars, in turn, have ploughed their winning back into the town and made Vast investments making it one of the fastest  growing town in East Africa, An  average Eldoret famed athlete bring in  $100,000 worth of prize money to invest in property and businesses in the town every  year,the track superstars drive around the once dusty town in their flashy latest models 


Over the recent past Eldoret has experienced unprecedented expansion,
among famous athletes in eldoret are Tegla Lorupe Kipchoge Keino Moses Tanui Lornah Kiplagat Daniel Komen Alfred Bungei
much of their investments can be identified here are some few businesses i know owned by these athletes Johannesburg Plaza Potters Academy Saito center komora center and many others

Golden harvest for Kenyan athletes

Talking of  aliveness  of the town, its beauty, its hotels like the Sirikwa hotel and white castle and restaurants like tamarind palace and poa palace. kliquehotel ,cicada hotel

Sirikwa Hotel (3 Star)

I keep taking trips to Eldoret for the weekend since its only a 3 hour

drive from Nairobi or 45mins via flight  i prefer using a car compared

to bike but its really beautiful ride throughout the way , 

the magnificent picturesque as you drive down the rift valley looks

amazing and really relaxing so when opportunity strikes i dont take

chances  to go! 

Visit Eldoret, kenya while on your vacation and discover the origin of all kenya's athletes. It is a great place to travel and spend your holiday for those who want to explore the nightlife in Eldoret, there is good number of night clubs around the town Most open all night 

Outskirts 

Big shout out to Jonathan  Misoi for great inspiration and his continued support for the Discovery of this city in the valley.
for more photos click here
'that's my Africa, baby' have a Great  one.. 
More later....

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