Time zone EAT (UTC+3) Population 86,803 (2009) | Climate Cfb Local time Friday 7:41 AM | |
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Weather 14°C, Wind SE at 10 km/h, 73% Humidity Colleges and Universities Baraton College, Baraton Teachers' Training College, Baraton Diploma Teachers' College | ||
Kapsabet fire destroys property
Kapsabet is a town in Kenya. It is the capital of Nandi County and is located 40 kilometres southwest of Eldoret on the way to Chavakali.
Contents
- Kapsabet fire destroys property
- Map of Kapsabet Kenya
- Kapsabet stadium to be completed before the end of 2017
- Administration
- Demographics
- Religion
- Economy
- Education
- Health
- Sport
- Transport
- Recent Events
- References
Map of Kapsabet, Kenya
The name Kapsabet comes from "Kap"- 'belong to/area of' and "sabit" or "sobet" - 'live' and has come to mean 'a place of life' though external influences and documentation refer it as Kapsabet. The locals praise it as 'Kapsabit ak mego'. Kapsabet municipality has a total population of 86,803 (2009 census).
Kapsabet stadium to be completed before the end of 2017
Administration
Kapsabet Town was previously the headquarters of the then Kapsabet Municipality which was run by the Municipal Council. It was last headed at the civic level by His Worship Councillor Michael Rono and at the executive level by Mr. Shedd D. Simotwo, the Town Clerk.
Today the town acts as the headquarters of Nandi County headed by the governor, Hon Dr. Cleophas Lagat.
The County Government has the following executive members (CEMs) as at July 2014:
Demographics
Kapsabet municipality has a total population of 86,803 (2009 census). The majority of residents belong to the Nandi section of the Kalenjin ethnic group.
Religion
Kapsabet is predominantly a Christian town. Major churches include AIC Kapsabet, St Peters' Catholic Parish, ACK St Barnabas and SDA.
There is also a mosque on the outskirts of town on the Kapsabet-Kaimosi Road.
Economy
Kapsabet Town is an agricultural town. Within its environs are large tea and maize farms as well as a number of horticulture and dairy concerns.The town has a milk depot operated by New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (New KCC) and the KTDA Chebut Tea Factory.
There are also a number of tourist sites in Nandi county. Notable sites in the county include, the rare Sitatunga antelopes found at Kingwal Swamps, and the ‘Cliff of Death’ where suicidal people have reportedly ended their lives.
The Nandi county government inherited about 400 acres from the defunct Kapsabet Municipal Council, on which it plans to build an industrial park, a marketplace and some houses.
Real estate development has seen substantial growth particularly since the advent of devolution. In particular, some foreign investors acquired an acre of land for Kes.20 million and have proposed major investments including a hotel property. As well, some athletes among them Abel Kirui, are putting up a commercial building in Kapsabet. Evidence of demand for space in the town is seen through the entry of 11 bank branches and popular retail stores such as Naivas.
Major Financial institutions present in Kapsabet Town are Kenya Commercial Bank, Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Barclays Bank, Kenya Women Finance Trust(KWFT), Equity Bank and National Bank of Kenya. Nandi Teachers and Nandi Hekima Saccos are based in the town.
Education
The notable educational institutions in this town are Kapsabet Boys High School, Kapsabet Girls High School and University of Eastern Africa Baraton.
Health
Major hospitals are Kapsabet District Hospital and St Francisca Hospital.
Sport
Many successful long distance runners have been born in or near Kapsabet, including Rodgers Rop, Bernard Lagat, Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot, Peter Rono, Wilfred Bungei, Pamela Jelimo, Janet Jepkosgei and Martin Lel. Also from Kapsabet are two members of the 2012 US Olympic Team: Janet Cherobon-Bawcom and Bernard Lagat.
The town plays host to the start of the annual Kass FM Marathon which starts in Kapsabet Town and ends in Eldoret.
The Nandi County Government headed by Governor Dr. Cleophas Lagat is spearheading a stadium construction at the town.
Transport
Eldoret International Airport is approximately 30KM on Kapsabet-Mosoriot-Eldoret Road.
Kapsabet is a connection town for Kisumu, Kakamega, Kericho, Eldoret and Nakuru towns.
Recent Events
The Town was on the media spotlight in July 2014 when adulterated brew took lives in Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties.