Kapcherop Forest

Forest Reserves in Trans Nzoia

Kapcherop Forest: Cherangani Hills Complex

For many generations now, the Kapcherop Indigenous people of Sengwer and Kapcherop forests have been the old guardians of these natural resources. The Sengwer community are well-known for their close attachment to their land and natural forests, non-dominance, distinct culture, and language. The indigenous peoples depend on the forests for their livelihoods. They live also near Kiptaberr Hill, one of the Cherangani Hills forest sections located near Kapcherop centre, close to the Kenya Forest Service station. The hill is a spectacular single giant rock. The expansive Cherangani Hills Forest Reserve, of which the Kapcherop Forest is a part of, also contains the vast forest blocks of Kapkanyar, Kapolet, Lelan, Toropket, Embobut, Kerer, Kaisungurr, Sogotio, Kapchemutwa, Bugar, and the Chemurokoi.

The triangular wedge-like Kapcherop Forest on the western margin of Trans Nzoia County is shared by Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot counties. The Kapcherop catchment area is part of the Western Marakwet Escarpment that is a continuum of Kenya’s Rift Valley, with Lake Victoria being the recipient of all drainage flows. The Kipteber Natural Forest is composed of indigenous trees covering roughly 50 percent of the land and acts as the rich source of the all-important Chepkaitit and Kiptargon streams. The sources of water are groundwater, rain, surface inflows for these streams. On a walking trip of Kapcherop Forest you can see the confluence of these streams, near Tembu primary about 18 km from Kapcherop town center.


Kenya’s vast forest reserves are of immeasurable importance in biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and carbon storage. Collectively, these forests, natural and exotic, cover 2008 km2 or about 3.4% of Kenya’s land surface area, and 15% of the most fertile land. They also provide important recreational and ecotourism opportunities for visitors to enjoy Kenya’s natural beauty and wildlife.


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.

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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.

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