Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads, Airports, Climate & National Monuments in Trans Nzoia
Geography of Trans Nzoia County
Trans Nzoia County can be divided into three definitive agro-ecological zones: Upper Highland Zone, Upper Midland Zone and Lower Highland Zone. The Upper Highland Zone covers the hills and slopes of Mount Elgon, Cherangani Hills and the border zone towards West Pokot County. This zone lies between altitudes of 2,400 ms and 4,313 ms asl and constitutes about 16% of the county’s land area. The area is covered with woody flora, shallow stony soils and rocky outcrops.
Mount Elgon National Park, situated in this zone, is the major landmark. The Lower Highland Zone covers the slopes of Mount Elgon and Cherangani Hills, between altitudes of 1800 ms and 2400 ms asl. The Upper Midland Zone, covering around 1248 km2, comprises about 50% of Trans Nzoia County. This zone lies between altitudes 1700 and 2400 ms. The zone includes the Endebess Plains, stretching west of Kitale Plains and northerly to the area below the slopes of Cheranganis.
Land Use in Trans Nzoia County
Trans Nzoia Country’s land tenure system has evolved over time. At the time of independence, the whole of Trans Nzoia County was “Crown Land” reserved for the white farmers. After independence, the land ownership was transferred to the Government of Kenya. The main crops produced in the Trans Nzoia County are maize, beans, wheat, tea and potatoes. Other crops include coffee and a variety of horticultural crops. The total acreage under food crops is 1438 km2, while that under cash crops is about 1471 km2. Much of the land is under maize crop farming.
Highlights in Trans Nzoia County
The key attraction sites in Trans Nzoia County are Mount Elgon National Park, the Saiwa Swamp National Park, Kitale Museum and Kitale Nature Conservancy. It has plenty of wildlife, which includes elephants around Mount Elgon Forest arc and Columbus monkeys, variety of birds, buffaloes, hippos, bushbucks, and snakes.
Population in Trans Nzoia County
Trans Nzoia County had population density of 328 persons / km2 in 2009, that rose to 367 people / km2 in 2013. This was expected to rise to 441 people / km2 by 2017. The 2009 Population and Housing Census recorded a total of 818,757 persons in the county. Of these 407,172 were male and 411,585 female. Inter-censal growth rate was 3.7% between 1999 and 2009, higher than the national average of 3.0%. It has two main towns (Kitale and Kiminini) whose population was projected as 136,644 in 2013, and expected to increase to 158,440 by 2017.
Airports in Trans Nzoia County
Trans Nzoia has only one airstrip but Eldoret Airport is within its proximity.
Roads in Trans Nzoia County
Trans Nzoia County has a total road network of about 4,069 km, comprised of 154 km of bitumen roads, 167 km of gravel, about 786 km of earth roads and 2953 km of rural access roads. Most of these roads are in poor condition and impassable during rain season. The primary road is the A1 Eldoret-Kitale-Kapenguria Road.
Climate in Trans Nzoia County
Trans Nzoia County has a highland equatorial type of climate. The rainfall is well distributed throughout the year. The slopes of Mount Elgon, in the west, receive the highest amount of rain, while the region bordering West Pokot County gets the least. It experiences bi-modal rainfall pattern – long rains occurring from April to June and short rains fall from July to October. Trans Nzoia County also lies within the Lake Victoria basin and rain falls more or less continuously from April to the end of the year in local heavy showers. Many such showers originate over the forest below Kaibubich and proceed from there in a southwest strike to Kitale.
National Monuments in Trans Nzoia County
There are no designated national monuments in Trans Nzoia County.
Trans Nzoia County is a vital region for Kenya’s agricultural and ecological balance. Its rich history, cultural diversity, and natural beauty make it a unique and valuable part of the Rift and Western Kenya. The county’s potential for growth remains immense, particularly in agriculture, tourism, and environmental conservation.
You Are Here: Trans Nzoia County
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations in Trans Nzoia County
A Guide to Trans Nzoia County
A Summa Digest of Trans Nzoia
About Trans Nzoia Way Back When
30 Destinations in Trans Nzoia County, arranged as one would visit these - south, west then north - with aid of in-depth narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Mount Elgon National Park, Koitoboss Peak Hike, Wagagai Peak Hike, Chesurur Falls, Kitum Cave, Macking’eny Cave, Ngwarisha Cave, Endebess Bluff, Chepnyalil Cave, KWS Koitoboss Guesthouse, Kapkuro Bandas, Mount Elgon Lodge, Suam Gorge, Mt. Elgon Orchards, Mount Elgon Guesthouse, Kamariny Cave, Kitale Plains, Kitale War Memorial, Kitale Museum, Kitale Club, Treasures of Africa, Kitale Nature Conservancy, Sirwo Resort, Cranes Haven, Saiwa Swamp National Park, Tree Top Hut, Kapolet Fishing Camp, Kapcherop Forest, Cheranganis, Barnley’s Guest House, Kaisagat Hill
Know More About Trans Nzoia: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Trans Nzoia can be split into three definitive ecological zones: Upper Highland Zone, Upper Midland Zone, and the Lower Highland Zone. These zone lie between 4,313 m in Mount Elgon to 1,700 ms asl.
Trans Nzoia has a highland equatorial type of climate. Rainfall is well distributed throughout the year, the higher areas in the west receiving more. Average annual temperature is 24oC.
