Amongst the popular tourist destinations in Kenya, Eldoret deserves special mention. The beautiful town of Eldoret is located in western Kenya and is also the administrative center of Uasin Gishu District of Rift Valley Province. Located south of the Cherangani Hills, Eldoret is now the fastest growing town in Kenya. It boasts to be the 5th largest town in Kenya today.
The name Eldoret is derived from the Maasai word 'eldore', which literally means stony river. The river bed of the Sosiani River is very stony, whence the town derives its name. In the beginning of the colonial era, the area was occupied by the Sirikwa, the Maasai and the Nandi.
Eldoret in Kenya is the official town site of Eldoret itself. The town came into being in the year 1910 with the construction of a post office on a site, which was known to the white settlers as Farm 64, 64 or Sisibo. The locals at that time referred to the town as Farm 64, 64 or Sisibo because, the town of Eldoret was 64 miles away from the newly established Uganda Railway railhead, located at Kibigori. The farm was owned by Willy van Aardt. The Central Lounge in Eldoret is all that survives of Willy's farm.
Eldoret, one of the chief Kenya tourist destinations in the year 1908, had been settled by the Afrikaans-speaking South African people who shifted there from Nakuru after a voyage from South Africa by sea and via train from Mombasa. Soon afterwards, Eldoret saw a huge inflow of other European and Asian inhabitants and traders.
When the governor planned to build an administrative center, the Post Office was renamed from 64 to Eldoret, now the official name of the town in the year 1912. Transforming into an administrative centre led to advancement of trading activities within the city. A number of shops and banks were constructed.
The extension of the Uganda Railway, from Kibigori toward Uganda, reached Eldoret in the year 1924, unleashing a period of prosperity and development. The year 1928 saw the introduction of the piped water supply from the Sosiani River. By the year 1933, Eldoret had a small airport of its own, which followed the construction of low-rental housing. Know more about the recent history of Eldoret, on extensive Kenya travel.
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