Baringo County

Baringo County
County

Sunset over Lake Baringo, Baringo County, Kenya

Flag
Coat of arms

Location in Kenya
Country  Kenya
Formed March 4th 2013
Capital Kabarnet
Government
 • Governor Benjamin Chesire Cheboi
Area
 • Total 11,075.3 km2 (4,276.2 sq mi)
Population (2009)
 • Total 555,561[1]
Time zone EAT (UTC+3)
Website baringo.go.ke

Baringo County is one of the 47 Counties of Kenya. It is located in the former Rift Valley Province. Its headquarters and largest town is Kabarnet.

Geographical location

Baringo bounded by Turkana County and West Pokot County to the North, Samburu County and Laikipia County to the East, Nakuru County and Kericho County to the South, Uasin Gishu County to the South West and Elgeyo Marakwet County to the West. It covers an area of 8,655s square km. Baringo County lies between Latitudes 00 degrees 13" South and 1 degree 40" north and Longitudes 35 degrees 36" and 36" degrees 30" East.

Demographics

The county has a population of 555,561[1] (2009 census) and an area of 11,075.3 km2 (4,276.2 sq mi).

Religion and ethnicities

The county is occupied by the Tugen, Pokot and Njemps. A sizeable population of Nubians is found in Eldama-Ravine. Christianity is the most practiced religion in the county. Baringo county has many tribes including Tugens, Njemps, Pokots, Turkanas, Kikuyus, Numbians and Kisiis

County government

The County Governor is Benjamin Cheboi and is deputized by Engineer Mathew Tuitoek. The Senator is Gideon Moi while the County Women is Grace Kiptui. The County Executive Committee consists of the following:

CEC Member Docket
Mr. Wesley Keitany Industrialization, Commerce Tourism and Enterprise Development
Mrs. Lilian Sadalla Land, Housing and Urban Planning
Mr. Edwin Riamangura Youth, Gender, Labour and Social Services
Mr. .Job Kibei Tomno Water and Irrigation
Ms. Caroline Lentupuru Environment and Natural Resources
Dr. Andrew Kwonyike Transport and Infrastructure
Mrs. Emily Kibet Education
Mr. Lukah Rotich Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries

Economics

The economy of the County is mainly agro-based. The main food crops grown are maize, pigeon peas, beans, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, sorghum, cassava and finger millet while the cash crops are coffee, cotton, macadamia and pyrethrum.[2] Livestock products include honey, beef, mutton as well as hides and skins. However, little value addition is done to these products.

Urbanization

Major urban centres in the county are; Kabarnet, Eldama Ravine, Marigat, Mogotio, Kabartonjo and Chemolingot

Tourism and Wildlife

Major attraction sites are[3]

1. Lake Bogoria and Kapedo hotsprings.

2. Lake Baringo

3. lake Kamnarok

4, Kabarnet National Museum and Kipsaraman Community Museum

Lake Bogoria Game Reserve is home to rare kudus, antelopes, zebras, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas, mongoose, monkeys, baboons and jackals. At the shores of Lake Bogoria are more than two millions lesser flamingoes, 350 bird species.

Lake Baringo Snake Park has many snake species such as the Black Mamba, Puff Adder, Boomslang and Spitting Cobra, Monitor Lizards, Crocodiles and Tortoises.

Major tourist hotels in the county are;

1. Lake Bogoria Hotel and Spa Resort.

2. Kabarnet Hotel, Kabarnet

3. Sinkoro Hotel Ltd, Kabarnet

4. Soi Safari lodge

5. Sportsline Hotel, Kabarnet

6. Taidy’s Restaurant, Eldama Ravine

7. Kibelion Hotel, Emining

Education

Kabarnet town hosts a number of university campuses including those of Mount Kenya University and Egerton University and Kisii University

Health

Kabarnet County Referral Hospital is the largest and best public hospital in the county.

Transport and infrastructure

The county headquarters is linked to Nakuru and Eldoret by class C roads which fall under the Kenya National Highways Authority (KENHA).

In January 2016, Fly-SAX began twice-weekly flights between Lake Baringo Airport and Nairobi–Wilson, becoming the first airline to serve the airport.[4]

Constituencies

The county has six constituencies: Baringo Central Constituency, Baringo South Constituency, Tiaty Constituency, Baringo North Constituency, Eldama Ravine Constituency and Mogotio Constituency

References

http://baringo-county.kbo.co.ke/

External links

Coordinates: 0°40′N 36°00′E / 0.667°N 36.000°E / 0.667; 36.000

  1. 1 2 http://www.scribd.com/doc/36672705/Kenya-Census-2009
  2. ↑ "Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries". www.baringo.go.ke. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  3. ↑ "Industrialization, Commerce, Tourism & Enterprise Development". www.baringo.go.ke. Retrieved 2014-02-07.
  4. ↑ "Fly SAX starts flights to Lake Baringo". African Aerospace. 14 December 2015. Retrieved 5 February 2016.
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