What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Uasin Gishu?… or as it was originally known – Illuwasinkishu?
The first residents of this land named it Illuwasinkishu, meaning “an area for grazing” and the name stuck only with a slight pronunciation change. The county has towns with memorable names—– Eldoret, Burnt Forest, Moi’s Bridge and Turbo… pretty unique!
Eldoret, the county’s administrative capital is from the Maa word “eldore” meaning ‘stone river’ thanks to the Sosiani river that runs through the town. Did you know that Sosiani is a tributary of the River Nile that runs across several countries in Africa? The town is also where you’ll find the Kenya Co-operative Creameries – one of Kenya’s largest dairy industries, which makes more sense of the name Illuwasinkishu. County 27 also hosts two universities – Moi and Eldoret as well as a national teaching referral hospital.
The area was officially proclaimed a township in 1912, causing rapid growth ever since, with increases in trade and financial services, and its growth continues even today. The first train’s arrival in 1924 further spurred on its growth as transport of goods got far easier.
The second town in this beautiful county is Burnt Forest – a town whose name came from a fire outbreak in the 1930s that completely destroyed a cedar forest where the town now sits. It was originally known as Tarakwa, on account of the forest that was there, and rumour has it that it may once again take up its old name.
Then there’s Moi’s Bridge, a small town with possibly the longest story to its name…and of course we can’t shy away from a good story, so… Paukwa?
In the early 1900s one of the area’s residents was British native Arthur Cecil Hoey – a sailor and hunter who took up farming after the First World War, at first making use of land near Sergoit Rock and later relocating to Cherangany Hills where he established a farm at Kapsirowa where he grew maize, sisal and bred Dutch horses. After the Second World War, he built a bridge to drive his herd over the Nzoia River where he finally settled. The bridge was known for several years as Hoey’s Bridge. In 1964, after independence, the bridge and the associated town’s name was changed to Moi’s Bridge.
The fourth town, Turbo is a relatively small quiet town with a population of less than 10,000. An ideal peaceful zone if you’re looking for the best of both worlds. Karibu Uasin Gishu!
