KeiyoKalenjin

KeiyoKalenjin refers to the Keiyo people, a subgroup of the larger Kalenjin community inhabiting the Great Rift Valley of Kenya. The Keiyo traditionally reside in the Elgeyo-Marakwet County. They are known for their rich cultural heritage, distinctive dialect of the Kalenjin language, and historical association with the highlands of Kenya.

Historically, the Keiyo were agriculturalists and pastoralists, utilizing the fertile lands of their ancestral territory for farming and raising livestock. Their social structure was traditionally organized around age-sets, which played a significant role in governance, social cohesion, and rites of passage. Like other Kalenjin subgroups, the Keiyo have a strong tradition of oral history and storytelling, passing down knowledge and cultural values through generations.

In contemporary times, the Keiyo people are integrated into the broader Kenyan society. Their region is renowned for producing world-class long-distance runners, a phenomenon often linked to genetic predispositions, rigorous training methods, and a supportive community environment. The Keiyo maintain their cultural identity while participating in national development and politics. Their language, a dialect of Kalenjin, continues to be spoken, though it coexists with Swahili and English as national languages. The community's agricultural practices remain important, with a focus on crops such as maize, beans, and potatoes, alongside the continued practice of pastoralism.