AbiriKenya

About Baringo Way Back When

Brief History of Baringo County

There are two general classes of people who have inhabited the area we now call Baringo County since the days of old; the agricultural people of the hills and the pastoral, nomadic people of the plains. The latter belong mainly to the Turkana and Pokot (Suk); to the latter the Tugen (Kamasia) and Ilchamus.

Over the years, the tapestry of cultures and ethnicities expanded to include the Elgeyo, Nandi and Njemps People, who migrated in to take advantages of the opportunities. The Njemps, or Njamus, are a mixture of several tribes. Oddly, the name Baringo is derived from the word ‘mparingo’ which means ‘lake’ in the language of Njemps, who live in the areas’ south and south-east of the lake. Traditionally, the Njemps were pastoralists, relying on the livestock herding.

The ethnographic origin and settlement of people in Baringo is akin to the general pattern of Nilo-Saharan-speaking people in East Africa, in general agreement with archaeological evidence and linguistic studies. Linguists, historians and ethnographers all agree that the homeland for Nilo-Saharans, from which the Kalenjin stem, is in eastern Sudan, dating back to before 6000 BCE.

Subsequent migration events were northward to the eastern Sahara, westward to the Chad Basin, and southeastward into Kenya and Tanzania. The latter, popular as the Southern Nilotes, pushed further on, reaching what is present-day north-eastern Uganda by 1000 B.C. Moreover, this corresponds with a number of historical narratives from the various Kalenjin sub-tribes, pointing to Tuluop Kony (Mount Elgon) as their original point of settlement in Kenya.

The Sirikwa culture was the dominant hinterland culture of the Pastoral Iron Age, c.2000 BP, followed in much of its area by the Kalenjin, in 18th and 19th centuries.

The Tugen People, a name corresponding to the highest mountain ranges in the county, held sway in Baringo for eras before the pre-colonial era, keeping kindred traditional practices and a deep connection to the land. Their history is therefore deeply interwoven with those of their neighboring communities.

The dominant ethnic groups are the Pokots, Tugens, Endorois and Ilchamus. Pokots and Tugens are linguistically related groups of the larger Kalenjin tribe. These communities mainly keep livestock, although the people living in the highlands usually practice farming. Over time, some Njemps have transitioned to a more mixed economy that includes both livestock keeping and farming.

Traditional Njemps homes are typically constructed from natural materials, such as branches, leaves, and animal hides. These dwellings are designed to be easily assembled and disassembled, allowing for a semi-nomadic lifestyle. Each of these groups brought with them a unique way of life, traditional practices, and languages, making Baringo County a melting pot of traditions and customs, making it a captivating destination for those interested in experiencing Kenya’s diverse cultural heritage. based on agriculture, livestock farming, and fishing.

During the colonial period, the British colonial administration extended its control over the region. The establishment of the railway line through Nakuru, which is not far from Baringo County, played a significant role in the region’s history, as it facilitated the movement of settlers and the export of goods.

The 1950 Kolowa Affray was a small British War. It happened on April 24th, at Kolloa, where Alan Stevens (then District Commissioner) and a force of police confronted Lukas Pketch (leader of the local religious movement) and his 300 spear-wielding followers. Although the details of Kolloa Affray are still strangely muted, by sundown of that day, 3 British police officers and 1 African policeman had lost their lives and 100 Pketch followers shot dead and 172 arrested.

The massacre is commemorated by a mass grave at Kolloa, memorialized by a cross. Kenya gained independence from British colonial rule in 1963. Baringo County, like many other regions in the country, experienced political and social changes during this period. The Tugen people, along with other communities in the area, became part of the newly formed Kenyan nation.

Other communities living in Baringo County include Turkana, Kikuyu, Meru, Luhya, Kamba and Luo. Most of these people live in Baringo’s urban centers and do business or are in formal and informal employment. Living near Lake Baringa, the Njemps have long practiced farming and fishing. They keep small herds of cattle, goats and sheep and gather honey from large tree trunks.

Men traditionally also engaged in hunting game to supplement their diet, but hunting is illegal in Kenya today. This fishing canoe (Kaldich) was made by men from ambach wood and tied together using wild sisal (Rapai). Men would sit on the light pieces of ambach wood and use two wooden paddles to move the canoe on Lake Baringo, where they fished.

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outlook

Touring Baringo County offers a unique blend of cultural experiences, natural wonders, and outdoor adventures. Many of its hidden gems, along Kenya’s Rift Valley, create unforgettable memories. Baringo County’s vast ecological gamut is a road-trip lover’s playground, birder’s haven and photographer’s paradise.

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Explore the Destinations in Baringo County

A Guide to Baringo County



A Summa Digest of Baringo

About Baringo Way Back When

52 Destinations in Baringo County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north then south - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:      

Mogotio Equator Crossing, Hotel Lomanira, Olduka Valley, Maji-Moto Hot Springs, Lake Bogoria National Reserve, Lake Bogoria Spa Resort, Loboi Plains, Irong Community Conservancy, Chuine Community Conservancy, Laikipia Escarpment, Perkerra Irrigation Scheme, Lake Baringo National Reserve, Kerubo Swamp, Robert's Camp, Royal Doves Garden, Soi Safari Lodge, Teddy Bear Island, Samatian Island Lodge, Ruko Conservancy, Kaptuya Conservancy, Korosi Volcano, Kabarion Conservancy, Paka Volcano, Nakegere (Kapedo) Falls, Mount Silale, Korongoro Hotel, Lomechan Caves, Daraja ya Mungu, Kimalel Goat Auction, Tugen Hills, Katimok Forest, Kabarnet Museum, Kirandich Dam, Morop Hill, Kikojo Falls, Kimng’ochoch Conservancy, Morop-Tarambas Conservancy, Simot Falls, Releng Hot Springs, Kipsaraman Museum, Kolloa Monument, Lake Kamnarok National Reserve, Chebloch Gorge, Kerio Valley National Reserve, Metkei Ridge, Lembus Forest, Eldama Ravine, St. Swithin’s Church, Koibatek Forest Reserve, Chemususu Dam, Timboroa Railway Station.

Know More About Baringo County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments

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