Baringo County

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 (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:

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. 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

1. Lake Bogoria and Kapedo hotsprings.

2. Lake Baringo

3. lake Kamnarok

4, Kabarnet National Museum and Kipsaraman Community Museum 5.ruko conservancy 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.

Constituencies

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