Kericho

Kericho is a town in western Kenya and the administrative capital of Kericho County. It lies in the highlands of the former Rift Valley Province, at an elevation that gives it a cool, misty climate. The town serves as a regional commercial center for the surrounding tea-growing area.

The surrounding landscape is dominated by tea estates and processing facilities that are among the largest in the country. Tea is the main economic activity, employing many residents and supporting related industries such as packaging, logistics, and small-scale agriculture. The tea economy shapes land use and development in the area and links Kericho to regional and international markets.

Kericho’s growth began during the colonial period, when European plantation firms established tea estates and built infrastructure to export their product. The town developed as a service and trading center for plantation workers and local traders, a pattern that persists in the present economy and urban layout.

The population is diverse, reflecting Kenya’s regional communities. Residents speak a range of languages, with English and Swahili widely used in education and government, alongside local languages. The town hosts a variety of educational institutions and markets that serve Kericho County and its residents.

Transport links connect Kericho to major towns in the region, including Nakuru and Kisumu, and to Kenya’s national road network. The area remains closely tied to tea production, and visitors often come to see the surrounding estates and experience highland Kenyan culture.