Marakwet

Marakwet is a Nilotic ethnic group in Kenya, part of the larger Kalenjin community. They inhabit the Kerio Valley and adjacent highlands in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, with communities extending into parts of West Pokot and Turkana counties. They speak Marakwet, a dialect of the Keiyo–Kalenjin language cluster, which is part of the Southern Nilotic branch. The Marakwet are closely related culturally and linguistically to neighboring Kalenjin groups.

Historically, Marakwet life combined agriculture with herding. In the Kerio Valley they cultivated millet and sorghum and kept livestock, while higher elevations supported maize and other crops. Social organization centers on kinship networks and age-sets, and traditional governance has included customary laws and dispute resolution alongside formal Kenyan institutions. Cultural expression includes distinctive dress, beadwork, music, and ceremonial rites such as initiation and marriage ceremonies.

Today, the Marakwet are integrated into Kenya's national economy and political system, while maintaining language, customs, and identity. Most live in rural settlements, with increasing access to education, infrastructure, and markets. The Elgeyo-Marakwet area remains an agricultural hub in the region, with irrigation schemes along the Kerio River and related farming activities. Cultural heritage is preserved through community organizations, schools, and cultural events that promote language and traditional arts.