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ISIIC LIBRARY
- 1985.04
Wageningen
The Netherlands
BEPU Of KENYA
KNISTRY OF PLANNING AND NATIONAL DEVELOPS/IE

MINISTRY OF PLANNING
AND NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
DISTRICT ATLAS
WEST PO KOT
Hubert Hendrix
Editor
Michael S. Mwangi
and
Niels de Vos
Cartography
Kapenguria 1985
ISRIC LIBRARY
gelingen, Th« Netherlands
Scanned from original by ISRIC - World Soil Information, as ICSU
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Copyright: © Reproduction of material from this book is permitted
if proper acknowledgement is made.
Reproduction for commercial purposes is not allowed.
Photographs
Layout and drawings
Text
Typesetting
Typeface
Production coordination
Hubert Hendrix
Nicola Hogg, Nairobi
Produced on Philips P2000 C
Microcomputer with Wordstar
Fotozetterij van leperen,
Amsterdam
Univers
Niels de Vos
Printing General Printers Limited
Homa Bay Road, P.O. Box 18001 Nairobi.
Published: Kapenguria, 1985
Arid and Semi Arid Lands Development Programme
P.O. Box 287, Kapenguria
Kenya

CONTENTS
List of Maps v
List of Plates v
List of Figures vi
List of Tables vi
Preface vii
West Pokot District District Data, 1983 1
Part 1 Topography 3
Location and'topography 5
Spelling of topographical names 6
Part 2 Physical Geography 13
Relief 14
Drainage 16
Geology 18
Mineral deposits 20
Rainfall 21
Agro climatic zones 24
Soils 26
Erosion 28
Part 3 Population 31
History 32
Population development 35
Population characteristics 39
Population projections 41
Part 4 Administration and Government
Staff 43
International boundaries 44
District headquarters and divisions 45
Locations and sublocations 46
Electoral wards and constituencies 48
Development of government
establishment 49
Part 5 Agriculture and Livestock 53
Land adjudication 54
Farming systems 57
Crop development 61
Irrigation 64
Livestock 66
Livestock services and marketing 70
Co-operatives 72
Forests and wildlife 73

Contents
Part 6 Satellite Image Interpretation 75
Part 7
Part 8
Bibliography
Index
Infrastructure 79
Introduction 80
Rural Development Fund projects 81
Water development 84
Roads 88
Public transport 91
Miscellaneous services 92
Business premises 94
Newspapers 96
Town centres 97
Service level by location 102
Social Development 105
Primary education 106
Introduction 106
Primary school enrolment 110
Teachers in primary schools 112
Certificate of primary education 115
Secondary education 116
Adult education 117
Polytechnics and special schools 121
Health services 122
Introduction 122
Static facilities 122
Mobile clinics 126
Level of healthcare 128
Women groups 130
Churches 132
134
136

List of Maps
Number Page Number
1 Location of West Pokot District in Kenya 4
2 Topographical maps Survey of Kenya, Series Y731,
West Pokot District 5
3 West Pokot District topography 7
4 Topography of Kapenguria division in West Pokot District, 1983 8
5 Topography of Kacheliba division in West Pokot District, 1983 9
6 Topography of Chepareria division in West Pokot District, 1983 10
7 Topography of Sigor division in West Pokot District, 1983 11
8 West Pokot District altitude 15
9 Water catchment areas 16
10 West Pokot District drainage 17
11 West Pokot District geology 19
12 Mineral deposits 20
13 Relation between rainfall and potential evaporation in central
West Pokot 21
14 West Pokot District agro climatic zones 25
15 West Pokot District soils 27
16 West Pokot District erosion 29
17a-b Approximate Pokot area around 1880 and 1930 32
18 Estimated population density, 1932 35
19 Population density, 1969 36
20 Population density, 1979 36
21 Population distribution in West Pokot District, 1979 37
22 Proportional population growth, by location, 1969-79 38
23 Sexratio, 1979 40
24 History of migration of 50 households in Alale location 40
25 International boundary between Uganda Protectorate and
British East Africa until 1902 44
26 International boundary between Uganda Protectorate and Kenya
Colony, 1902-26 44
68
69
70
71a-c
72
73
74
75
76a-b
77a-b
27 West Suk/ West Pokot district headquarters, 1910-83 45 Number
28a-c West Suk/ West Pokot District administrative divisions, 1957-83 45
29a-b Administrative boundaries, 1969 and 1979 46 1
30 Administrative boundaries West Pokot District, 1983 47 2
31 Electoral wards for the County Council of Pokot, 1983 48 3
32 Parliamentary constituencies, 1983 48 4
33a-e Development of land adjudication, 1973-83 54/55 5
34 Adjudication sections in West Pokot District, status and 6
characteristics, 1983 56 7
35a-c Modern and traditional farming by location, 1982 57 8
36 Average number of acres per household at nine places, 1982 58 9
37 Location of places in Figure 8 58 10
38 Distribution of crops in West Pokot District, 1982 60 11
39 Irrigation 64 12
40 Traditional grazing areas 66 13
41 Areas affected by cattle rustling 68
42 Distribution of livestock. West Pokot District 67 14
43 Areas affected by tsetse fly 70 15
44 Dips in West Pokot District, 1983 69 16
45 Dams and holding grounds in West Pokot District, 1983 71 17
46 Co-operative societies and co-operative unions, 1983 72
47 Forest areas, tree nurseries and game reserves, 1983 73 18
48 Rural Development Fund Projects in West Pokot District, 19
1974/75-1982/83 83
49 Piped watersupplies in West Pokot District, 1983 85 20
50 Boreholes in West Pokot District, 1983 86 21
51 Roads in West Pokot District, 1983 88
52 Road distances in West Pokot District, 1983 90 22
53 Frequency of matatu service per day, 1983 91 23
54 Miscellaneous services in West Pokot District, 1983 93 24
55 Licensed business premises in West Pokot District, 1983 95 25
56 Daily newspaper sales, November 1983 96 26
57 Makutano commercial area, 1983 98 27
58 Kapenguria (Ramaget) commercial area, 1983 99
59 Physical plan of Kapenguria 100 28
60 Physical plan of Makutano 101
61 Services provided by government, mission and private 29
sector in West Pokot District, 1983 103 30
62a-c Primary schools, 1966-83 106
63 Primary schools in West Pokot District, 1983 109 31
64 Proportional growth of school enrolment, by location, 1979-82 110 32
65a-c Boys and girls enrolled in primary school, by location, 1982 111
66a-b Deviation from mean district enrolment, by location, 1982 112 33
67 Number of students per primary school teacher, 34
by location, 1982 113 35
78
79
80
Trained primary school teachers as proportion of all primary
school teachers, by location, 1982
CPE results of 12 primary schools, 1973-82
Secondary schools, 1983
Distribution of adult education centres, 1983
Polytechnics and special schools, 1983
Static health facilities in West Pokot District, 1983
Mobile eye clinics, 1983
Mobile clinics in West Pokot District. 1982
Level of healthcare services, by location, 1982
Level of healthcare services, after implementation of health
development plan
Women groups in West Pokot District, 1983
Church attendance, by denomination and location, 1982
Denominations in West Pokot District, 1983
List of Plates
V
Page
114
115
117
118
121
123
126
127
128
129
131
132
133
Page
Seasonal river near Morobus 16
Outcrop of marble, south west of Ortum 18
Gold panning 20
Homestead with livestock enclosure of pastoral Pokot 33
Traditonal Pokot household implements 36/39
Pokot elder, wearing traditonal ornaments 38
Young mother and child 38
District Commisioner's office at Kapenguria 49
District Development Office under construction 49
View of an agricultural Pokot house 59
View of a house of pastoral Pokot 59
Citrus fruits at Sebit demonstration plot 65
Main intake canal under construction at Kodich
Irrigation Scheme 65
Traditional irrigation furrow near Ortum 65
Annotated photo map of West Pokot District 76
Landsat image of West Pokot District 77
Prison where Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was held during the trial of
Kapenguria in 1953. 80
Cattle dip at Kapkoris, funded by Rural Development Fund 81
Nursery for tree seedlings at ortum, funded by Rural
Development Fund 81
Borehole with handpump at Natemeri 87
Kitale to Lodwar A1 trunk road, descending north of
Kapenguria 87
Micro wave relay station, north of Kapenguria on Mnagei Hill 92
Makutano township 97
Ortum Mission Hospital 102
Primary school under construction at Chepkopegh 107
Standard 5 class at Cheptuya Primary School 113
Nasokol Primary School, one of the first schools in the
district 114
Kunyao Primary School, obtained the best CPE results during
the last years 114
Ortum Boys Secondary School 116
Chewoyet (Kapenguria) Boys High School, venue of Mzee
Jomo Kenyatta's trial in 1953 117
Carpentry trainees at work at Chepareria Village Polytechnic 120
New masonry and carpentry workshop at Kodich Village
Polytechnic 120
Sewing class at Chepareria Village Polytechnic 121
View of the District Hospital at Kapenguria 122
Nearly completed dispensary and staff houses at Kauriong 126

VI
List of Figures
Number Page
la-d West Pokot District crosssections 14
2a-b Contact metamorphism 18
3a-f Distribution of rainfall per month and per year for six 22/23
stations in West Pokot District
4a-b Relation between erosion and groundcover 28
5 Population growth, 1927-79 35
6a-b Population pyramids West Pokot District, 1969 and 1979 39
7 Crops and livestock on farms at nine places, 1982 58
8 Planting and harvesting periods at various altitudes in 59
West Pokot District
9 Development of maize hectarage, 1967-83 61
10a-b Development of various crops, 1979-83 62/63
11 Quarantaine periods, 1977-83 70
12 Production at tree nurseries, 1974-82 72
13 Rural Development Fund Projects 1974/75-1982/83, by
location and division 82
14 Matatu price schedule, November 1983 91
15 Daily newspaper sales in West Pokot District, November 1983 96
16 Number of primary schools by division, 1966-82 107
17 Number of children enrolled in primary school, 1970-82 110
18 Number of children enrolled in primary school, by division,
1970-82 111
19 Boys/girls enrolled in primary school as proportion of all
boys/girls between 5-14 years, by location, 1982 112
20 Number of trained and untrained primary school teachers,
1971-82 113
21 Number of candidates entered for CPE, 1973-82 115
22 CPE results, 1973-82 115
23 Adult education centres, by division, 1980-83 118
24 Adult education centres, number of students enrolled and
characteristics, by division, 1980-83 119
25 Adult education, CPE enrolment and results, 1973-82 120
26 Outpatients attendence, Kapenguria hospital, 1972-82 124
27 Number of in-patients, Kapenguria hospital, 1972-82 124
28 Number of beds, Kapenguria hospital, 1974-82 124
29 Bed-days and number of bed-days per admission, Kapenguria
hospital, 1974-82 124
30 Occupancy of beds, Kapenguria hospital, 1974-82 125
31 Deliveries and attendance at clinics, Kapenguria hospital,
1974-82 125
32 Surgery, Kapenguria hospital, 1974-82 125
List of Tables
Number Page
1 West Pokot District Data, 1983 1
2 Temperature zones 24
3 Moisture availability zones 24
4 Projected population and population density in West
Pokot District, 41
1979-88, by division
5 Projected population by age group, West Pokot
District, 1983-88 41
6 Administrative divisions, locations and approximate
area, 1983 48
7 Number of government employees by department, district
headquarters and division, January 1983 50/51
8 Piped watersupplies, 1983 84
9 Licensed business premises in West Pokot District, 1982 94
10 Primary schools in West Pokot District, 1983 108
11 Secondary schools in West Pokot District, 1983 116
12 Women groups in West Pokot District, 1983 130

Kapenguria, December 1985
Responsible planning of development activities must be based on reliable, complete
and reasonably up to date information. Such information about West Pokot was lacking
when we approached the District Development Committee in August 1982 with a proposal
to compile a District Atlas.
As elsewhere in Kenya, district information is often not readily available; if it is
available it may be incomplete, sometimes incorrect and often outdated. Valuable data
may be hidden in big reports or academic books, collecting dust on a shelf in
Kapenguria, in an office in Nakuru or in a library in Nairobi. Spatial distribution is rarely
mapped and if maps are drawn, they are often of poor quality, outdated or too big to
handle easily.
The launching of the District Focus for Rural Development in July 1983 made the
availability of district information even more necessary. Residents and leaders of West
Pokot assumed greater responsibility to select, plan and carry out district projects.
When new officers are posted to the district, they need to familiarize themselves with
the circumstances of West Pokot.
Also the new primary school syllabus, under the 8-4-4 educational system, puts more
emphasis on local and district knowledge.
Finally, if we want to evaluate progress in various fields of development in the district
as time goes on, we should have baseline information.
The production of this book has been undertaken as one of the activities of the Arid
and Semi Arid Lands Development Programme in West Pokot. The programme, coordinated
by the Ministry of Planning and National Development, is supported in West
Pokot by the Government of the Netherlands. The Netherlands Government also funded
the production of the atlas.
It took two and half years to complete the production from its first conception to printing.
All stages of the production- collection of information, verification, selection,
design of maps and figures, cartographic drawing, textwriting, typesetting and printingtook
more time and energy than foreseen. This may be a warning for other districts in
Kenya or elsewhere against underestimating production of a similar book. On the other
hand, we think that the quality of information and presentation improved as we progressed.
Part of the information presented here, has already been used to draw up the
District Development Plan 1984-88.
A number of choices had to ba made during the course of the production of the
book. The targeted readership, from ten to twelve year old primary school children to
seasoned planners and scholars, made it sometimes difficult to decide on the level of
detail and sophistication. We do not think that we were always able to satisfy all
categories of readers. Their comments are welcome and might be used to make two
future editions, one for school use and another for planners, administrators and
scholars. We also chose to produce the atlas in black and white on a size which allows
photocopying. We have not imposed copyright restrictions. An acknowledgement of
the source, when material is used for reproduction is however requested.
The atlas benefitted greatly from a Regional Research Project, carried out in 1982 and
1983 by geographers from the University of Amsterdam, affiliated to the Institute of
Development Studies at the University of Nairobi. Annemieke van Haastrecht, Mirjam
Schomaker and Ton Dietz spent one year on library research ano fieldwork. More than
half of the information, presented in this book, was supplied by them. They in turn
depended, as we did later,, on the cooperation of Heads of Department and their staff
in West Pokot District. Special thanks in this respect are due to Nyagah Maina K. and
John Waita of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development and to Jackson
Katina, Clerk to the County Council of Pokot for a lot of extra effort to assist. Research
assistants Rachel Andiema, Simon Lopeyok, Michael Ptalam Lodiokile, Albino Kotomei
and Romanus Partany Chezupo also deserve special gratitude.
In Nairobi we got generous cooperation from the Regional Centre for Services in
Surveying, Mapping and Remote Sensing, resulting in a specially produced Landsat image
of West Pokot, also printed on the cover of the atlas. Of course, many more people
and institutions assisted. They are too numerous to be mentioned separately but we
owe them all our gratitude.

Table 1 West Pokot District Data, 1983
Topography
Location:
Boundaries:
Size:
Highest Point:
Main Rivers:
Administration
District Headquarters:
Divisions:
Locations:
Sublocations:
1°7' North to 2 0 40 l North; 34°37' East to 35^49' East
Republic of Uganda, Turkana District, Banngo District, Elgevo
Marakwet District, Trans Nzoia District
9 100 square kilometers
Chepkotet Peak, 3 370 meters above sealevel
Suam, Weiwei, Muruny
Kapenguria
Kapenguria
4
15
Political
County Council Headquarters:
Number of Councillors:
Number of Parliamentary Constituencies:
Population
Number of Residents
1979 (Census):
1983 (Estimate):
1988 (Projection):
Agriculture
Land Potential (Estimates)
High Potential Land:
Medium Potential Land:
Marginal Land:
Rangeland:
Other Land:
Livestock
Estimated Numbers
Zebu Cattle: 80 000
Goats: 165 000
Sheep (Traditional): 70 000
Woolsheep: 35 000
Dairy Crossbreed Cows: 4 000
Infrastructure
Roads
Class A (Tarmac):
Class B:
Class C:
Class D:
Class E:
Watersupplies:
Telephone Subsrcibers:
Electricity:
Airstrips:
Licensed Business Premises (1982):
Education
Number of Primary Schools (1982):
Number of Secondary Schools (1982):
Number of Primary School Teachers (1982):
Number of Secondary School Teachers (1982):
Number of Adult Education Centres:
Number of Village Polytechnics:
Percentage of Boys Enrolled 5-14, years. (1982):
Percentage of Girls Enrolled 5-14, years. (1982):
Percentage of All Children, 5-14 years,
Enrolled in Primary Schools (1982):
Chepareria
3
10
Health
Hospitals:
Healthcentres:
Dispensaries:
Hospital Beds:
Annual Number of Out Patients Seen (1982):
Annual Number of Vaccinations (Including BGG):
Child Mortality. Under 2 Years,(1979 Estimate):
Sigor
6
II
Kapenguria
18 elected, 3 nominated, 1 ex-officio
2
Kacheliba
5
IS
158 652 Annual Population Growth: 4 3 per cent
187 800 Population Density: 21 persons per square kilometer
232 700
Annual Production for Some Crops
(Estimates in a reasonable year)
26 500 hectares Maize:
53 600 hectares Beans:
256 600 hectares Sorghum:
402 700 hectares Millet:
170 600 hectares Pyrethrum:
Potatoes:
Coffee:
Cassava:
Livestock Facilities
Cattle Dips:
Watering Dams:
Holding Grounds:
40 000 tons
2 200 tons
1 750 tons
1 800 tons
25 ions
1 100 tons
16 tons
450 tons
25 operational, 23 under construction/
not operational
16 operational, 26 requiring attention
6
119 km
44 km
41 km
234 km
590 km
12 piped supplies, 800 connections, 54 boreholes
51 subscribers. 3 public boxes
no mains
5
Retail 234, Hotel/ Kiosk 141, Bar 27, Posho mill 29. Butcher 51.
Boarding/ Lodging 5, Wholesale 8, Other 21
202 Boys Enrolled: 19 763 Girls Enrolled: 12
b Students Enrolled: 1 513
98b Trained : 540 Untrained: 445
b Approved/Graduate Teachers 15
P1/S1/A Level Teachers:
26
1'J4 Men Enrolled: 1 220 Women Enrolled 990
b
11
Boys Enrolled: 141 Girls Enrolled: 23
• Percentage of Persons over 2 0.
Having Attended Formal Schoo-
58 ling
(1979 census): Men 25 Women 10
2
3
15
204
504 000
52 966
216 per thousand
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

Topography
District Atlas West Pokot 1965

4
Location of West Pokot District in Kenya
SUDAN
UGANDA
WEST
POKOT
TURKANA
\ S
">-. r
^NZOIA "V'S ( \ f*
M
/
r^
, l/TX^Ns ( BAR,NG0 V-~
1 ( J S I^«AME GA) ^ S H U X | \
-, NANDl\ S- J
S,AVA
-^-^- klSUMl V k ^
,j'
SOUTH (
^YANZA > KIS
\
KERICHO V f^\
V
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J
NAROK
6 / /
/ LAIKIPIA
A
J
SAMBURU
. I S\>- ' ^ M\
NAKURU« V » \ NYER| m
. V>W-o i
I O (W MURAN G''
' KIAMBU
JNAIR(
TANZANIA ^ ^ ^ KAjiADo
International boundary
Provincial boundary
District boundary
75 150
_l
34° E 36°E
MAP 1
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
225 KMS
MARSABIT
r 1
MERU
ETHIOPIA
_/'
/ S
ISIOLO
L_
WAJIR
\._
MANDERA
\J
4°N
2°N_|
SOMALI
REPUBLIC
Ocean
0° —I
2°S—J
Source Atlas of Kenya 197(1

Location and topography
West Pokot District is situated along Kenya's western boundary
with Uganda. From north to south, the district stretches
from 2°40'N to 1°7'N. From west to east it is located between
34°37'E and 35°49'E. The total area covered by West
Pokot District is about 9100 km 2 or 5 per cent of the Rift Valley
Province.
The position of the district in relation to neighbouring districts
is depicted in Map 1.
The distance from the district headquarters, Kapenguria, to
the closest sizeable town, Kitale, is about 42 kilometers. The
distance to the provincial capital, Nakuru, is 250 kilometers,
to Nairobi 435 kilometers by road.
West Pokot District has a great variety of topographical features.
The southeast section of the district is situated in the
Cherangani Hills with altitudes over 3000 meters above sealevel.
The northern and northeastern part of the district on the
other hand streches towards the hot, dry plains of Turkana at
altitudes of less than 900 meters above sea level.
All landscapes which are associated with this range of altitudes,
can thus be found within West Pokot's boundaries,
including spectacular escarpments of more than 700 meters.
West Pokot is also a district where social and economic
development started later than in most other parts of Kenya.
It was remote from the centres of early social and economic
development in the centre of the country, and its rugged
topography made access to many of its resources difficult.
No major towns, industries, large scale farming etc. are to be
found in the district in 1983. Kapenguria is even one of the
few district headquarters which have no electricity. Population
density is considerably below that of other districts with
similar potential.
A third feature of the district is its fast social and economic
development, especially during the last ten years. Roads are
penetrating formerly inaccessible areas, schools are opened
at a high pace, food production is increasing and the money
economy is rapidly replacing the earlier subsistence and barter
economy.
Because of these rapid changes, we have produced new
topographical maps for each of the four divisions of the district.
The presently available Survey of Kenya maps (scales
1:250 000, 1:100 000 and 1:50 000) show great detail in physical
features, but are outdated for such information as roads
and population centres. The maps reproduced in this atlas
(Maps 4 to 7) should be used alongside those available from
the Survey of Kenya.
The most common maps used are in the Survey of Kenya
Series Y503, revised in 1973. Sheets NA-36-12 (Kapenguria),
and NA-36-8 (Moroto) cover the whole of the district on a
scale 1:250 000. Maps on a 1:50 000 and 1:100 000 scale, Survey
of Kenya Series Y731, are summarized in Map 2.
Topographical maps Survey of Kenya, Series Y731, West Pokot District
MAP 2
Q Sheet 1:100 000
1j.2
Sheet 1:50 000
26 Km
5
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

6
Spelling of topographical names
Another question that is briefly addressed in this section is
the spelling of topographical names. Most of the orthography
of topographical names in Kenya, is based on the phonetic
spelling by colonial administrators and missionaries long
before independence. Also typing errors have found their way
into printed documents.
Throughout this atlas we will use the 'official' spelling of
Usual Orthography
orthography in Pokot
Amakuriat Amekuriot (Aker, Totum)
Amolem Amolem (Lokarkar)
Arpolo Orpollo
Bâtai Patiy (Patei)
Chepareria Chepareria
Chepkobegh Chepkopegh (Chepkot-egh)
Chepkono Chepkono
Chepkorniswa Chepkorniswo
Chepnyal Chepnyal
Chesegon Chesekon
Chesira Chesra
Embokech Empokegh
lyon lyoon
Kacheliba Kocholipai
Kaibichbich Kaipichpich
Kaiboni Kaiponi (Kogh pa Ponot)
Kaibos Kai pos
Kamatira Kamatira
Kamketo Kamketo
Kangelikwan Kangilikwan
Kanyerus Kanyeris (Koghpo Moril)
Kapchemogem Kachemoken
Kapsangar Kapsingar
Kaptabuk Kaptapuk
Kasei Kosei (Nginngin)
Kasitet Kasitit
Kokwotendwo Kokwo Tondwo
Lokitanyala Lokitanyala
Mbara Mpara
Morobus Moropus (Kapcharoy)
Murk wij it Murkwichit (Kokwo-eghian)
Nakwijit Nakwichit (Chepeghian)
Nasolot Nasolot (Songwot)
Natemeri Natimeri
Nauyapong Nauyapong (Ka-Kiress)
Ortum Ortum
Orwa Orwo (Lalwa Orwo)
Parkino Parkino
Psurum Psirim
Ptoyo Ptoyo
Sebit Sepit
Sebukwo Sepukwo
Serewa Serewo (Sera)
Sermach Sarmach
Sielpogh Syalpogh
Sigor Psikor
Sinjo Sinjo
Suam Suom (Turkwel)
Ta mou g h Tamugh
Wakor Wakor (Akor)
Yawyaw Yayaw (Yasian)
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Explanation of name
topographic names as normally found on Survey of Kenya
maps and in government documents.
The list below presents the spelling of some topographical
names as it is preferred by the indigenous inhabitants of the
district. The list also gives a brief explanation of the names
and was compiled by the County Council of Pokot in 1983.
Place where traditional dance is held
Flat ground
Place where natural salt is found
Area where a crop, which did well during rainy season, was grown
Place where reddish type of soil is found
Place where water level is not deep
Named after a man called Chepkono, who lived in the area
Place where trees called 'Ptarin' grow
Place where traditional dance 'Nyalat' is held
Place where 'Sekonion' tree grows
'Wild area', used to be a restricted area
Place where sheep are taken to drink water
Zigzag (meandering) river
Place where tax defaulters are detained (Kiswahili: Hajalipa)
Place where strong wind passes
Place where 'Ponit' (wild bees) is found
Place where 'Postin' type of trees grow
Very cold area
Place where dark brown oxen were slaughtered and eaten
Rock/cave/hill where leopard lived
Place where natural salt is found
Psingar, a man, lived in the area
Ptapuk, a man, lived in the area
A place of refuge during war days
Place where 'Sitit' trees grow
Meeting place under Tondwo' tree
Site where traditional dance is held
'Mashamba', place for cultivation
Grey hill with several parts
Place where oxen where slaughtered for special purpose
Place where oxen where slaughtered for special purpose
Place where certain white stone is found
Place where certain tree 'Kreswo' is grown
Named after a certain man
Sound made by flowing water of river Orwo
Meeting place where goats (he goats) are slaughtered and eaten.
Place where 'Rotin' type of tree grows very well
Place where porcupines were killed
Place where porcupines live
Name of Masai killed at the place
Sorghum was grown in the area
A cave in which people lived when animals were there for natural salt
Place where water springs from the ground, as if it is boiling
Fresh green grass grows fast when it is raining
Name of a certain man who lived in the area
An acquired river by begging
Certain type of plant and/or tree which hangs its branches
Meeting place where oxen were slaughtered and eaten
Natural vegetation for watercatchment area
Information about topograprical names was provided by:
Jackson Katina, Hon. James Powon Korrelach M.P. and
Rev. Daniel Tumkou.

West Pokot District topography
MAP 3
Trans Nzoia
35° 30'
I
District boundary
Major road (Tarmac
: Major road
, Minor road
Ü Bridge
o Centre
River
5>;^$fe Mountain
35° 45' E
I
_2° 30' N
_ 2° 15' N
_2° 00' N
— 1° 45' N
/ Vy — 1 ° 30* N
Baringo
Elgeyo Marakwet
_1° 15' N
9 18 Km
7
Based on Topo map 1 : 250 000. Survey of Kenya
Sheets NA-36-8 IMorotol and NA-36-12 (Kapenguria)
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

8
Topography of Kapenguria division in West Pokot District, 1983
£ •
o
rr
-n
J M M
u il
«3 I- -C
a S m S c
c
m
M o
up
> I "D
m 5
> O
C
0) 1 i
cc O CJ O
MAP 4
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985

Topography of Kacheliba division in West Pokot District, 1983
MAP 5
Divisional boundary
Road
River
^Kimpur Centre
^ Kasei Chief's centre
+ KACHELIBA Divisional headquarters
Mountainous area
18 Km
9
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985

10
Topography of Chepareria division in West Pokot District, 1983
MAP 6
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Divisional boundary
• Tarmac road
Road
River
Centre
Chief's centre
CHEPARERIA Divisional headquarters
Mountainous area

Topography of Sigor division in West Pokot District, 1983
*VG°:
MAP 7
11
'Amaler
9 km
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985

13
Physical Geography
District Attas West Pokot, 1985

14
Relief
Several landscapes can be distinguished in West Pokot:
High altitude More than 1800 meters, mountainous
areas such as Cherangani Hills, Sekerr
Mountains and Chemerongit Range.
Medium altitude 1500-2100 meters, rolling to hilly areas.
Low altitude Less than 1500 meters, flat floodplains
along the rivers and undulating peneplains.
West Pokot District crosssections
altitude
in meters
3050. s w M,K.ch.Bjjju chemerongit Range NE
2400J
1800
1200J
6oa
FIGURE 1a
3050-. WNW
2400.
FIGURE 1b
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Sekerr hills
,Mt Mtelo
This landscape has faint relief which is a
result of long lasting erosion and denudation,
the old stage of an erosion cycle.
Due to the huge differences in altitude, accessibility is poor
in many parts of the district.
^ Scrubgrowth
Forest
Cherangani hills
Direction of crosssections
93.5

West Pokot District altitude
MAP 8
Altitude above sealevel
Meters Feet
I :| Less than 900 Less than 3000
^_1 900-1200 3000 - 4000
1200-1500
mm
Eiiil 1500-1800
1800-2100
55 2100-2550 nm
2550-3000 mu
More than 3000
••
4000 - 5000
5000- 6000
6000- 7000
7000- 8500
8500-10000
More than 10000
18 Km
j
15
Based on Topo map 1:250 000, Survey of Kenya
Sheets NA-36-8 (Moroto) and NA-36-12 (Kapenguria)
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

16
Drainage
95 percent of the catchment areas in the district are part of responsible for flash floods, again due to high run-off and
the main Turkwel-catchment. Both Turkwel and Kerio river low storage capacity. In the dry season it hardly contains
drain into the Lake Turkana. water.
Nearly two thirds of the Alale and Suam catchment areas The south-eastern part of this catchment area and the Weicontribute
water only in the wet season, mainly because the wei catchment, both situated in the Cherangani Hills, supply
infiltration capacities and the retention by vegetation are low. continuous flows. Good vegetation cover causes both high
This results in a high run-off and a low water storage capaci- retention and a good soil structure (good infiltration),
ty. Only Suam river is a perennial stream, all the major and Muruny and Weiwei rivers and their tributaries in the Cheranminor
tributaries are seasonal. gani Hills are perennial streams.
The north western part of the Muruny catchment area is also
Water catchment areas
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
TURKWEL catchment area
PLATE 1. Seasonal river near Morobus

West Po kot District drainage
/
u
y r
MAP 10
/ /
11
\
7 /
I
/
m /
\ V
/ /
Y
—f
y-
Perennial river
Seasonal river
18 Km
17
Based on Topo map, 1 : 250 000, Survey of Kanya,
Sheets NA-36-8 (Moroto) and NA-36-12 (Kapengurie)
Distnct Atlas West Pokot, 1985

18
Geology
West Pokot is mainly occupied by the oldest rocks found at
the earth's surface all over the world: the Precambrium Basement
System Rocks. These rocks are metamorphic. This
means that they are formed when existing rocks are changed
because of high temperatures, high pressures and chemically
active fluids. The process takes place during movements
within the earth's crust and it is called regional metamorphism.
Metamorphic rocks in West Pokot are gneisses. They
contain a wide variety of minerals: biotite, hornblende, and
quartz-muscovite gneisses. The first two rock types usually
provide a rather good natural fertility when weathered. The
latter often produces poorer weathered material. Basement
System Rocks are found in large parts of the African continent.
At some places igneous rocks are found at the surface. In
West Pokot they are of intrusive origin. This means that mol­
Contact metamorphism
m Pressure
Basement System rock
{%£%& Contact Metamorphic rock
l^ >l Igneous rock
FIGURE 2a
PLATE 2 Outcrop of marble, south west of Ortum. Marbles I metamorphic
limestone) locally occur in the Basement System
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985
Erosion + Denudation
ten fluid within the earth's crust has intruded into the existing
rocks. These rocks are found at the surface, because the
cover of the older Basement System Rocks has been eroded.
Along the contact zone of the intrusive body and the existing
rocks, metamorphism has been an important process. It is
called contact metamorphism. See Figure 2a-b.
In the south east of West Pokot some sedimentary rocks are
found at the surface. Loose material originating from denuded
existing rocks has been deposited as sediments. In the
lower areas, under the influence of time and pressure, they
have been consolidated. Sedimentary rocks are characterized
by clear, straight layers on top of each other.
Scattered over the area, alluvial sediments are deposited.
These sediments are still unconsolidated and of very young
age.
FIGURE 2b

West Pokot District geology
MAP 11
METAMORPHIC ROCKS
1 Quarts-muscovite gneisses
IGNEOUS ROCKS
Quartzites/granitoid gneisses
Biotite gneisses
Hornblende gneisses
Undifferentiated Basement
Systems Rocks
6 Granite
Gabbro
SEDIMENTARY ROCKS
o Coarse— and fine grained grits
and sandstones
SEDIMENTS
9 Alluvial deposits
Faults
Data on faults is missing for the nothern part of the district
18Km
19
Based on lithological map of North West Kenya, 1981.
Kenya Soil Survey and several geological reports
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

20
Mineral deposits
Gold is the most important mineral found in West Pokot probably gold can be panned for many more years and it is
nowadays. It is panned near Marich Pass since the beginning likely that new places will be discovered,
of the 1950's, near Korpu/Turkwel Gorge since the early Other minerals found in the district are copper, cobalt, chro-
1970's and in Alale location since 1981. Especially in the zones mite, nickel, kyanite, asbestos, and mica. The quantity howeof
contact metamorphism gold can be found. During wea- ver is low and the old mining places are abandoned because
thering of these rocks single grains are released, transported profits were not sufficient. The Kerio Valley Development
by rivers and deposited in the river beds. Because gold is rela- Authority is presently engaged in detailed surveys to estatively
heavy, the particles are deposited near the source. blish if.some of West Pokot's minerals might be profitably
Gold is panned by the local people. The concentration is not mined,
high enough to start large scale gold mining projects. Most
Mineral deposits
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

Rainfall
Annual rainfall in West Pokot District varies from less than
400 mm per year in the lowest areas, to more than 1500 mm
per year in the highest areas. The possible deviation from the
yearly and monthly means can be considerable. This is particularly
true for the lower and drier areas of the district.
Total rainfall per year can deviate more than fourty per cent
from the long term average. This is especially serious for those
areas where water is already a limiting factor for plant
growth. Apart from insufficient total rainfall, shortage of
water during critical periods of growth occurs regularly.
Figures 3a-f illustrate the wide range of monthly rainfall. A
look at the monthly rainfall measurements for Kongelai (Figure
3b) shows that in some years, rain in April can be as little
as 10 mm or less. In other years the same month records rainfall
of more than 120 mm.
Finally little has ever been recorded in West Pokot about
21
variation of rainfall within one month. It is evident that cropgrowth
is affected differently when an amount of rain falls
within a number of hours or when it is evenly distributed over
the whole month.
An important factor that influences the contribution of rain
to plantgrowth is potential evaporation. Potential evaporation
in turn depends mainly on temperature. Map 14 shows the
generalized temperature zones for West Pokot District. The
relation between rainfall and evaporation in part of the district
is presented in Maps 13a-b in a generalized form. The map
clearly illustrates that the probability of rainfall in the wet season,
sufficient for reasonable plantgrowth, can vary dramatically
within short distances. Optimal yields of crops can be
expected if rainfall in the wet season (Pr) is more than two
thirds of potential evaporation (Eo).
Relation between rainfall and potential evaporation in central West Pokot District
The probability (P in %) that the rainfall
in the wet season is higher than two-thirds
of the potential evaporation: Pr > 2/3 Eo
MAP 13a
Source based on Kenya Soil Survey report
no R2 1976. "Soil« cA the Kapenguna area
9 5 1p 1,5 2,0 2,5 Km
The probability (Pin %) that the rainfall in
the wet season is higher than two-thirds
of the potential evaporation less 100 mm: Pr
w
MAP 13b
20 — 40% fairly low
40 — 60% moderate
60 — 80% fairly high
80 — 90% very high
2/3 Eo-100
90— 100% extremely high
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

22
Rainfall
Distribution of rainfall per month and per year for six stations in West Pokot
FIGURE 3a
morethan400
380.
340.
300.
260.
220.
180.
140.
100.
30
Rainfall per monih m 25 years 'n Chepnyal
J f M A M J J A S O N O
11 26 116 163 . "/5 .50
16 96 94 133 42
Rainfall Der month in 26 years in Kongelai
. 8 ~ |j!! Median
20
; ixWi.' m
tSaJUtitil i • j
—T"—r—i 1 i
Month J F M A M J J A S O N D
Median m mm
FIGURE 3b
Rainfall per'month in 46 years in Kapenguna
• . i!' "• ittKjt;; Median
J F M A M J J A S O N D
Maan in mm 15 66 202 192 107 ,60 „„
32 170 126 185 117 29
Median in mm
FIGURE 3c
Distnct Atlas West Pokot, 1985
"*
1200.
400.
Rainfall per year in 25 years in Chepnyal
Rainfall per year in 26 years in Kongelai
63 68
Rainfall per year in 46 years m Kapenguna
i
46 51 56 61
Longiermmean 955 mm per year
Longiermmean 952 mm per yea'
Longiermmean
1265 mm per yeai
No
dan
nyal
Kongelai " Sigor
f Chepsreria
„ V, . " Kail
Kapenguna •

Rainfall
Rainfall per month in 18 vears in KaiblChblCh
morethan400 .
380.
340.
300.
260.
220.
1B0.
140l
100.
• •
..
:
• ••• •
!..
60. : : M ''
20. i: .. .
0. !• : .. .
Mo "< h J ' F ' M ' A ' M ' J ' J ' A ' S ' O ' N ' D
Meanmmm 31 4913917,215161,97227137134,0627
Median m mm 19 27
FIGURE 3d
; than 400.
380J
34a
300.
260.
220.
180.
140.
100.
60.
20.
0.
Rainlall per month in 28 years in Cheparena
J F M A M J J A S O N D
23
13
FIGURE 3e
Rainfall per month ,n 27 years in Sigor
nore than 400
380.
340.
300j
260.
220.
180.
140.
IOC J
60
FIGURE 3f
20JJ
0.
J F M A M J J A S O N D
• ij. Median
Median
2000.
1600.
1200.
800 j
400
2000.
1600.
1200.
800.
Rainlall per year m 18 years in KaiblChblCh
Rainfall pe' year in 28 years in Cheparena
Rainfall per year in 27 years in Sigor
No data
•|| [
1 Î52 57 62 •= • ;
Longtermmean 1553 mm per year
No.
ifHta
2' ' ? 7
Longtermmean 1050 mm per year
Longterm mean 885 mm per yea'
23
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

24
Agro climatic zones
Agro climatic zones provide information about the ecological
potential of the land. In Map 14 we present a classification
of zones in West Pokot District according to the method used
by the Kenya Soil Survey. Each agro-climatic zone has two
main characteristics. One is water availability. This is expressed
as a ratio of average rainfall and potential evaporation.
Rainfall and evaporation in turn are related to altitude. The
second characteristic of an agro-climatic zone is its average
annual temperature. Temperature is also related to altitude.
Because of the sharp differences of altitude in West Pokot
over a short distance, the information presented in Map 14
should be used with care and considered to be a general guide
only.
In order to evaluate the suitability of land for agricultural purposes,
the agro-climatic classification should be combined
with information about soils, relief and erodibility.
TABLE 2 Temperature zones with an indication of mean maximum, mean
minimum and absolute minimum temperatures, night frost, altitude and
range of various crops
mean annual
temperature

West Pokot District agro climatic zones
MAP 14
Temperature zones See Table 2, page 24
Moisture availability zones See Table 3, page 24
VII
VI
V
IV
III
II
25
Major limitations for maximum production
in approximate order of importance
Zone
fertility, grassland and livestock husbandry, drainage
fertility, grassland and livestock husbandry, drainage
fertility, landmanagement, rainfall
landmanagement, rainfall, fertility
rainfall, landmanagemeht, fertility
rainfall
rainfall
18 Km
Based on Exploratory Soil Map and Agro-Climatic
Zone Map of Kenya, 1980, 1 :1 000 000
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985

26
Soils
In this atlas we give a descriptive characterization of the soils
of West Pokot District. The technical terms used in the discriptions
are explained in the following section.
Also the code for various soil units, used by the Kenya Soil
Survey, is added. This code is based on the legend of the Soil
Map of the World, FAO-Unesco, 1974, scale 1: 5 000 000.
Map 15 and the description of Soil Units are based on the
Exploratory Soil Map of Kenya, Kenya Soil Survey, 1980, scale
1: 1 000 000.
Explanation of terms used:
Soil depth
Rocky
Stony
Calcareous
Saline
Sodic
Acid, humic topsoil
Poorly drained
Imperfectly drained
Moderately well
drained
Well drained
Somewhat excessively
drained
Excessively
drained
Shallow 0- 50 cm causes problems for
penetrating roots
Moderately 50- 80 cm can cause problems
deep for roots
Deep 80- 120 cm no restrictions for
roots
Very deep 120- 180 cm no restrictions for
roots
Extremely >180 cm no restrictions for
deep roots
Rock outcrops are common. Problems for roots and
workability.
Stones and boulders present in the surface layers.
Problems for roots and workability.
Soils contain lime (CaC03) which often favours the
growing conditions.
Soil-moisture contains many soluble salts. Too many
salts are toxic for plants. The salts extract water from
the soil so that not enough is left for the plants.
Soil material contains much sodium (Na). Too much
sodium is toxic for plants and it decreases the soil
structure dramatically. The soil becomes hard and
massive.
Acidity has a negative influence on plant growth.
The humic topsoil increases this acidity.
Water is removed from the soil too slowly. The soil
remains wet for a large part of the year. This results
in a shortage of oxygen in the soil during these
periods. Plantgrowth is threatened by this lack of oxygen.
Water is removed from the soil slowly enough to
keep it wet for significant periods. This can also
result in a shortage of oxygen.
Water is removed from the soil somewhat slowly.
The soil is wet for a small but significant time of the
year. For certain crops these soils may be too wet.
Water is removed from the soil readily but not rapid
ly. These soils commonly retain optimum amounts of
moisture for plantgrowth after rains or application of
irrigation water.
Water is removed from the soil rapidly. The amount
of water which is available for plantgrowth can be a
problem.
Water is removed from the soil very rapidly. The
amount of water available for plants usually is not
sufficient. Large amounts of rainfall or irrigationwater
are necessary for plantgrowth.
Description of Soil Units in West Pokot District.
Soils developed on mountainous areas
Unit Code
no
1 MFbc
MUbe
MUbh
Description
Well drained soils. A complex of shallow, rocky and stony to
deep, non-rocky and non stony soils. Natural fertility is
moderately good. Erosion susceptibility is rather low.
Somewhat excessively drained, shallow, rocky and stony
soils. They are young and little developed. Natural fertility is
moderately good, mainly depending on the mineral com
position of the parent material. The soils are not very
susceptible to erosion.
Well drained, moderately deep soils with an acid, humic topsoil
Natural fertility is rather low. The soils are not very prone
to erosion.
Soils developed on the hilly areas
HUre
HUrd
Somewhat excessively drained, shallow, rocky and stony
soils. Natural fertility is moderately good and the soils are
moderately prone to erosion.
A complex of excessively drained to well drained, shallow
soils In many places they are rocky and stony. In places theyhave
an acid, humic topsoil Natural fertiliy is rather low. The
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
soils are moderately susceptible to erosion
Soils developed on footslopes
FUlc
FYUIc
-Iv
UhNa-t-
+ bh
Well drained, very deep soils with a loose structure. Natural
fertility is moderately low. Erosion usually is no problem
because of the good infiltration capacity.
Well drained, moderately deep to deep soils. In dry periods
they have deep cracks due to the drying of these clay soils.
Natural fertility is moderately good. Erosion susceptibility is
rather low. In dry periods they are hard, in rainy periods wet
and soft.
Soils developed on almost flat areas
8 YUbk Well drained, deep, moderately calcareous soils. They have
a sodic deeper subsoil.
9 YUxh Moderately well drained, very deep, slightly to moderately
calcareous and slightly sodic soils. They are found in very
dry areas
Soils developed on sloping areas
A complex of two main soil groups.
10 UuUu a) Well drained, in places rocky very dark soils with an acid,
humic topsoil Natural fertility is rather low. The soils are not
very susceptible to erosion.
UuUbh b) Well drained, moderately deep, dark soils with a very thick
acid, humic topsoil Fertility and erosionsusceptibility are the
same as for a)
Well drained, moderately deep to deep soils with a thick
acid, humic topsoil. In places they are shallow and rocky.
Natural fertility is rather low and erosion is not common on
12 UmNal
these soils.
Well drained, moderately deep to deep soils. In places they
have an acid, humic topsoil. Natural fertility is rather low.
The soils are more susceptible to erosion than in units 10 and
11 because the topsoil structure is not as good. After heavy
rains a strong crust can be formed on the surface except
when a humic topsoil exists. This leads to low infiltration and
hence to run-off and erosion.
13 UmNIo Well drained, moderately deep soils. Natrural fertility is
moderately good. Erosion can be severe.
Soils developed on gently sloping areas old peneplains
14 UmUlc+ A complex of well drained, shallow to deep soils.
+ li Fertility and erosion susceptibility are the same as forunit 13
15 UlUlc Well drained, moderately deep to deep soils. In many places
they have a stone-line at a depth of 0.5 to 1.5 meters. This
is a layer of 10 to 50 cm., containing quartz stones. One ex
planation is that it originates from the activity of termites.
They bring the finer material to the surface and leave the
coarser stones behind. Fertility and erosion susceptibility
characteristics are the same as for unit 13.
16 UlUao A complex of well drained to imperfectly drained, shallow to
moderately deep, non- rocky to rocky and non stony to
stony soils. In some cases a hardened layer of ironstone or
a layer with iron concretions within the first meter from the
surface causes problems for cultivation. Fertility and erosion
characteristics are the same as fer uni; 13
17 UxUrc Well drained, shallow, strongly calcareous, moderately to
strongly sodic and saline soils. They have a very gravelly sur
face wich makes arable use almost impossible and extensive
ranching difficult.
Soils developed on flat areas
18 AAjc Well drained to imperfectly drained, very deep soils along
the major rivers. They show stratification due to sedimenta
tion. Finer and coarser material is deposited in layers on top
of each other by flooding. The soils are calcareous and have
a moderately good fertility. In very dry regions they can be
quite saline. There is no erosion in these flat areas. Flooding
and consequently accumulation of new material can cause
problems. Good soil is covered and young plants are damag
ed. On the other hand the new material often has a good
fertility.
19 BUso Imperfectly drained to poorly drained, very deep, dark,
slightly calcareous and strongly sodic soils on the bottom
lands.

West Pokot District soils
MAP 15
(See page 26 for Soil Unit description)
Soils developed on mountainous areas
1
2
3
Soils developed on hilly areas
4
5
Soils developed on footslopes
6
7
Soils developed on almost flat areas
8
9
Soils developed on sloping areas
10
11
12
13
Soils developed on gently sloping areas
-old peneplains—
14
15
16
17
Soils developed on flat areas
10
19
kkààààà Major Escarpment
i i i i i i i Minor Escarpment
27
18 Km
Based on draft of the Exploratory Soil Map of Kenya
1 : 1 000 000. 1981. Kenya Soil Survey
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985

28
Erosion
Erosion in West Pokot is mainly caused by water. The three
processes involved in erosion are: first detachment by
rainsplash and run-off, secondly transport through run-off or
overland flow and finally deposition when the volume and /or
velocity of water drops.
An important factor that influences erosion is the landcover
such as trees, shrub, grass, crops and stones. If the cover is
in bad condition, surface sealing will occur. The infiltration
capacity decreases and surface flow -erosion- will start. If the
cover is good, the structure of the soil remains good due to
root activity: infiltration is high and rainsplash and transport
are reduced. Instead of running off and causing erosion, the
water is absorbed in the soil where it is available for plantgrowth.
Figure 4a illustrates the relation between the groundcover
and erosion. A good forest cover is the best prevention
against erosion. Grassland has a rather low soil conservation
capacity. An agricultural cover lies somewhere in between.
Figure 4b shows the relation between each sort of cover and
erosion.
Other factors that influence erosion are:
Rainfall
erosivity
Soil
erodibiliy
Erosive power of rainfall. This depends on
intensity and duration of the showers. Erosivity
is greatest during the early part of the
rainy season when the cover is poor and the
rains are heavy and long lasting.
A sou has a certain erodibility value depending
on soil texture and soil structure. Erodibility
of the soils of West Pokot District was
Relation between erosion and groundcover
Erosion rate
incm/yr
2 A
1.5 •
1 -
0.5-
20
FIGURE 4a
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
40 60 80 Ground
cover in
Slope
characteristics
Management
indicated in the section on soils.
On a longer and steeper slope, run-off water
will generate more erosive power than on
shorter and gentler slopes. Terracing and the
interruption of flow by checkdams reduce
the length and steepness and therefore erosion.
Overgrazing and trampling contribute to surface
sealing and therefore erosion. Burning
might destroy the cover, also leading to erosion.
Crop cultivation on steep slopes causes
erosion if proper conservation practices
are not used.
Infrastructure Along roads, footpaths and
tracks erosion can become severe because
the cover is destroyed.
Another problem related to erosion is the deposition of transported
material at the foot slopes and in valleys. Soils are
buried with loose material. One cannot benefit from the good
characteristics of the buried soil. Also young crops can be
damaged.
Erosion is not always man-made as Map 16 shows. In very
dry areas where the soilcover is sparse, natural erosion
occurs. This is the case in a few places in the north eastern
part of West Pokot District. Other eroded parts of the district
however, suffered mainly from man-made erosion. The prevention
of further loss of land through erosion therefore also
lies with the people.
Sediment yield
(t/kmVyr)
10.000
1000 J
100 .
10 .
0 1 2 3
FIGURE 4b
6 7 8 9 10 Mean annual
run-off in mm
X 100
Source Dunne T 1977

West Pokot District erosion
MAP 16
[ | Little erosion
Moderate erosion
I Severe erosion
• • Natural erosion
29
Based on Topo map 1 : 250 000. Survey of Kenya,
Sheets NA-36-8 (Moroto) and NA-36-12 (Kapenguna)
Landsat No 2369-07081 and 2369-07083 of January 1976
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

31
Population
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985

32
History
The majority of the inhabitants of West Pokot District are
Pokot (singular: Pochon). The Pokot are one of the Kalenjin
group of people to which also the Nandi, Kipsigis, Tugen,
Sabaot, Keiyo and Marakwet belong. In former times the
Kalenjin were also, wrongly, called the 'Nandi-speaking people'.
Outsiders used the word 'Suk' or 'Wasuk' for Pokot. This
Approximate Pokot area around 1880 and 1930
Mt. Moroto
MAP 17a
1880 1930
Turkana
Marakwet
Uasin Gishu Masai
Elgeyo
Turkana
Mt. Tiati
Tuge
Samburu
ake Baringo
N/emps
The Kalenjin group of people all speak related languages.
They probably first formed around 2000 years ago in the area
to the north and the west of Lake Turkana and gradually
moved south towards their present location. Migration to the
other areas took place for various reasons. Among these
were shortage of land,, epidemics among peopie and
iivestock and wars with neighbouring groups.
For the Pokot people the relations with their non-Kalenjin
neighbours the Turkana, Karamojong, Samburu and Masai
have always been important for the land which they could
occupy. Depending on the military strength of each of the
groups and the land needed for their people, boundaries
changed all the time. Raiding of other peoples' land and
livestock by young men was an important and accepted way
to increase the territory and to prove their courage to society.
The Pokot were originally a pastoral people like all other
Kalenjin. When the Kalenjin moved south towards the highlands,
they started practising sedentary agriculture. Most
Kalenjin in Kenya are now sedentary farmers, although
livestock, especially cattle, still plays an important role in their
life and customs.
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
name is said to be given to the Pokot by the Masai and was
very much disliked by the people of the district.
Until independence West Pokot District was called West Suk
District. Kara Suk (later Karapokot) was the area to the north
and west of Suam river. East Suk, later East Pokot, the northern
part of Baringo District.
MAP 17b
Present West Pokot district boundary
Approximate range of Pokot settlement
jJSÉÉii Approximate agricultural core of Pokoiiand
KIPLEGIT Traditional division of Pokot land
Karama/ong Neighbouring tribe
W Mountain
• Centre
Source : Based on Reynolds 1982 and Barber 1968

History
The Pokot are probably the least sedentary of all Kalenjin. An
estimated fourty per cent of all Pokot in the district are
pastoralists. They are called the 'pi pö tich' people. These
pastoralists live in the lower areas of the district. Their way
of life involves a lot of movement with sections of their herds
to use available grazing and water. The younger men normally
take care of these movements while elder men, women
and children stay with some of the livestock at more permanent
homesteads.
Another section of the Pokot settled in the Cherangani Hills
and the highlands around Kapenguria and Kitale. This section
of the Pokot people is called the 'pi pö pagh'. While they continued
to keep livestock, they are mainly engaged in agriculture,
the most important crop being sorghum. In the foothills
of the Cheranganis and the valleys of the major streams these
farmers developed extended systems of furrow irrigation.
PLATE 4 Homestead with livestock enclosure of pastoral Pokot
33
Between these two sections of the Pokot people exchange
of goods takes place. At markets like Chesegon, Lomut and
Sigor animal products such as milk, skins and honey are
exchanged for grains and fruits from the shambas.
Maps 17a-b show how the approximate boundaries of the
land where the Pokot lived changed between 1880 and 1930.
Clearly visible is that the Pokot moved into areas previously
occupied by Karamojong. On the other hand, they lost some
land to the Turkana, who were invading Pokot territory from
the north and the west. Large tracts of land to the south of
Kapenguria, in the present Trans Nzoia District, had to be
abandoned when the Pokot were forced to make room for
European settlement since the 1920's. This period is still
known to Pokot elders as the time of 'Könyi Kwenda' or the
'Period of Kwenda' which is rude Kiswahili for 'Go'.
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

34
Historie events
In traditional societies, people relate to specific years in the
past by referring to important events which took place. The
Roman calender, which is now generally used was unknown
to traditional societies. At the time of the census of August
1979, a list was compiled of important events in the past, to
help people establish their ages etc. by referring to these
events. This list is the basis of the list of events printed below.
Year Event
1906 Katkata ket Mbara
1909 Luko Musunjon Kungetuno Kolowo
1910 Kiweru Musunjon nyo tagh Tiayatei nto kwit
Turkwel
1914 Purio Churuman
1919 Luko kirumti
1921 Luko Turkana ngo Pokot ompo Kapedo
1926 Konyi 'Kwenda'
Kima asis
1928 Koringring
1929 Kikitech skul nyo po tagh Kocholipai
1931-43 Kimi chonde koro pokot
1930 Teksio Kapenguria
1931 Kinyaka
1933 Konyomoi
1936 Teksio Nasokol
1939 Purio Churuman nyo po odeny
Kirwokin Adong'o ompo Mnagei
1940 Kirwokin Long'urakol ompo Mnagei
Yatata Makutano/Lityei
1943 Lokumurio .
1944 Wirata oro Marich
1944-6 Ighata oro Psikor
1950 Poryio Kolowo
1951-2 Kirwokin JTapoyo-Mnagei
1952-9 Kirwekin Pkemei Lokit Mnagei
1952 Kimi Poyon Kapenguria
1953 Kikipar Lorika
1954-9 D.C. Shariff
1955 Konyi sehemu
1959 Kirwokin Joshua Kakuko-Mnagei
1960 Konyi tounoto A. D.C.
1961 Rop nyo wow
Konyi Ptolok
1962 Porio Losidok
Aparipar
1963 Konyi Huru
Kulata Lorema ngo Kassachon
Tounoto Sirikwa County council
1965 Kirumuno Tapogh kongasis
Pagha America
1970 Konyi Mpaka (Kopokogh)
1972 Tounoto Pokot County Council
1978 Kirapas Poyon
1979 Konyi Kiparu
1980 Konyi Kumon, Koei, Tapan
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Mr. Hunter, D.C, planted foreign trees on Mbara hills
First European War at Kolowo in East Pokot with
Marakwet
First European to pass through Baringo to Turkwel in West Pokot
German fights (1st World war)
The fights of Mr. Crompton (D.C.)
Fights of Turkana and Pokot at Kapendo in in East Suk
The move from Trans Nzoia
The longest eclipse of the sun
The greatest earthquake
The first Government African scnool at Kacheliba
Mr. Chaundy in West Pokot
Kapenguria town built
The greatest swarm of locust
Rinderpest period
Nasokol opened
The German fights (2nd World War)
Mr. Adung'o-Chief Munagei
Pkemei Serma Longurokol was Chief of Mnagei
Makutano shops established
Time people were saved by cassava
The bridge at Marich over Muruny river was built
Making and opening of Kapenguria-Sigor road
Kolowo fight
James Taboyo Chief Mnagei
Pkemei Lokit Chief Mnagei
Mzee Kenyatta at Kapenguria
Lorika was killed
Shireff D.C.
Kongelai and Kipkomo restricted for grazing in dry season
Joshua Kakuko appointed Chief of Mnagei
African District Council (A.D.C.) established
Army worms
Heavy rains
Fight between Karamojong and Pokot
There was heavy loss of lives
Year of Independence
Loiema and Kassachon elected to Lower and Upper Houses
Sirikwa County Council established
Unusual star in the East
Yellow maize from U.S.A.
The Karapokot area was transfered to Kenya
Pokot County Council established
Kenyatta died
Pokot clash with Amin soldiers at Achorichor
The outbreak of cholera in Kopokogh region
Information updated and corrected by: Jackson Katina,
Hon. James Powon Korrelach M.P. and Rev. Daniel Tumkoi

Population development
Most of the information presented in this section is based on
the results of the National Population Census of 1979. This
census was the fourth to be held in Kenya. The earlier ones
were held in 1948, 1962 and 1969. The Central Bureau of Statistics,
in its comments on the last census, is reasonably
satisfied about the validity of its figures. It warns however
that it is impossible to conduct a faultless operation of this
scale, with the means at its disposal.
The Bureau also states that the last census was a vast improvement
over the quality of the 1969 census. The reader is therefore
warned to use the 1969 and earlier figures with even
more caution. An added complication in the comparison of
1969 figures with those of 1979 are a number of changes of
location boundaries during the 1969-79 period.
Figure 5 indicates that the total population of West Pokot
has grown in the period 1927 to 1979 from an estimated less
than 20 thousand to nearly 160 thousand, an increase of
about eight hundred per cent. Even if the earlier figures are
Estimated population density, 1932
MAP 18
Population density per km
1 VJ~l
2
48
Less than 2 |2
p- 79
111 2- 5
iiil 5-10
PH 10-20
| More than 20
* No data
26 Km
irce Proposals or Applications
affecting the Native Reserve
Boundaries
Vol I part D 1932
35
underestimations, the real population growth during the last
20 years is well above the national average of 3.9 per cent per
year. In the period 1969-79 the population increased with a
yearly average of 5.1 per cent and we estimate that in the
years from 1979 to 1983 an above average growth will again
be recorded.
Natural increase, through the surplus of births over deaths,
only partly explains this growth. Although no exact statistics
are available, we suspect that the death rate of children in
West Pokot is higher than the average for Kenya. Especially
outside Kapenguria division, health services are not yet
developed as elswhere in the Republic. On the other hand,
there are no indications that the number of children born per
woman is higher than the Kenya average.
A considerable part of the high yearly population increase
must therefore be explained by the movement of people into
the district. Areas where this occurs are Mnagei, Central and
Lelan locations.
Population growth, 1927-79
m _
Kara Pokot
zzi , v///
10 12 14 16
FIGURE 5 ËÜ West Pokot (excluding Kara Pokot I
Persons x 10 000
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

36
Population development
Population density is quite low in the district as a whole.
Even the most populated areas around Kapenguria show
densities of less than a quarter of figures that were calculated
for whole divisions in e.g. Kisii, Kakamega or Kiambu Districts.
An estimate of population density around 1932 is presented
in Map 18 (on page 35). The densities shown in this map
must have been based on rough estimates. It is still inte­
resting to compare these with the densities and distribution
in 1969 and 1979, presented in Maps 19, 20 and 21.
It appears that concentrations of population then, occupied
the same areas as they do now. Interesting exceptions are
concentrations in the east of the district, especially in Masol
location, which have disappeared of late due to an increase
in cattle rustling.
Population density, 1969 Population density, 1979
c
<
I \ 1
»
I
I
I
»-»
Administered by «
Uganda Government^,
Persons per dot Density per km
75 Less than 8
150 8-12
200 12-18
• 330 18-31
> 600 31-64
1 1250 More than 64
26 Km
MAP 19 Source CBS census 1969 MAP 20 Source CBS census 1979
headrest
PLATE 5 Traditional Pokot household implements
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985
gourd
continued on page 39

Population distribution in West Pokot District, 1979
MAP 21
• *. /
.*»•"••
. % $ • .::,
','*•• ' •
. 100 persons
• 1000 persons
18 Km
37
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985

38
Population development
We have indicated in the introduction that the above average
population growth of West Pokot District must be explained
partly by immigration into the district. This assertion seems
to be supported by the evidence presented in Map 22.
Unfortunately, information about population growth in
Kacheliba division is not available. This part of the district
was administered by Uganda Government by the time of the
1969 Census.
Of the twelve locations shown in Map 22, one shows a decline
in population. This is Masol location, where cattle rustling
intensified during the inter-census period and a number of
people left. Two other locations, Cheptulel and Sook, show
a growth rate lower than the national average. Apart from
Proportional population growth,
by location, 1969-79
MAP 22
I—H
I I
wm
PLATE 7 Young mother and child
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Growthrate
in ten years
negative
8 - 20%
20 - 50%
50 — 90%
90% and more
Average annual
growthrate
0 7-18%
1 8—4 1 %
4 1-6 6%
6 6% and more
Source C8S census 1969
and 1979
possible enumeration errors, poor medical facilities and poor
accesibility of these areas must be responsible. Three locations
register population growth comparable to the national
average. These are Weiwei, Mwino, and Lomut.
All the other locations show above average population
increase, two of them over 6.5 per cent annual growth.
The growth of Kapenguria and Makutano as up coming
administrative and trade centres and the relative abundance
of land compared to other parts of Kenya are important factors
to explain this growth. The assumption, worked out in
more detail in the last section of this chapter, is that the district
will continue to experience above average growth for
some time to come.
PLATE 6 Pokot elder, wearing traditional ornaments

Population characteristics
The age structure of the population of West Pokot was only
slightly different from the structure of the total Kenya population
in 1979.
Under fives accounted for 18.7 per cent of the total, for
Kenya as a whole they were 18.6 per cent. The school .age
population, 5-14 years old, in West Pokot was 29.0 per cent
of the total versus 29.8 per cent for Kenya as a whole.
The working age population, 15-54 years old, showed a difference
of one per cent. West Pokot had 46.2 per cent of its
people in this age group. Kenya as a whole showed 45.2 per
cent. This difference is explained by over representation of
adult males, mainly government employees, in Kapenguria
and Makutano. Wives and children of these men often live in
their home areas outside the district. The census figures for
Kapenguria and Makutano are very clear in this respect. Over
55 per cent of all people in these townships are males.
Population pyramids West Pokot District, 1969 and 1979
Age group
60*
50-59
40-49
30-39J
20-29.
10 19
0- 9
Age group
60*
50-59
40-49
30-39 J
20-29
10-19
0- 9
FIGURE 6a
Excludes Kacheliba division
Male
-i i 1 1 r
39
A slight difference occurs in the over 55 age group. The percentage
of this group for West Pokot was 6.0 per cent, for
Kenya as a whole 6.4 per cent.
The accuracy of the statistics available do not allow very
detailed conclusions about differences of age structure
within the district. As already stated, it is difficult to obtain
reliable and complete data about ages of people in traditional
societies. Also, under enumeration of young children occurs
regularly. Parents in traditional societies are reluctant to say
how many young children they have.
A very general conclusion derived from the statistics and the
maps might be that the southern and eastern locations of the
district, where settled agriculture is practized, have a younger
population than the perdominantly semi-nomadic areas in the
west and north of West Pokot District.
R Female
-T 1 1 1 1 1 r
14 12 10 8 6 4 2 00 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 Persons x 1000
i
r~
[
i
m -
i
I
I
-i 1 1 1 r
26 24 22 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6 4 2 00 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20 22 24 26 persons x 1000
FIGURE 6b
(Continued from Plate 5, page 36)
District Atlas West Pokot. «

40
Population characteristics
More reliable are the statistics on which Map 23 is based.
This map indicates very clearly the surplus of males over
females between 15 and 49 years of age in those sublocations
where jobs in the modern sector were found in 1979. Kapenguria,
where all government departments have their headquarters,
is the most important of these. Other sublocations
where considerably more males than females were enumerated,
are Orwa/Mbara, Ortum, and Wakor.
At the time of the 1979 census, all these sublocations housed
large numbers of (male) workers who were engaged in
the construction of the Kitale-Lodwar tarmac road.
Map 23 also suggests that many of these workers came from
neighbouring Weiwei and Cheptulel sublocations, where a
surplus of women was counted. One other sublocation where
considerably more women than men were counted was
Pcholio in Alale location. The low figure for adult males in
this area was probably due to their herding of cattle away
from the homesteads.
Migration of persons from outside into West Pokot District
was mentioned earlier to account for the above average
population growth in the southern part of the district. Until
independence, this in-migration was negligable. West Pokot
was a closed district then. Movements were strictly controlled
and no large scale migration was allowed. Only a small
number of Sebei and Luhya from Trans Nzoia were allowed
to settle in Mnagei location to demonstrate progressive farming
to the Pokot.
After independence in-migration increased. Kenyans from
other parts of the Republic settled in West Pokot and also the
number of government employees from outside increased
sharply. In 1969 just under 10 per cent of the population of
the district was of non-Pokot origin. Nearly 6 per cent was
non-Kalenjin. By 1979 the percentage of non-Kalenjin had
grown 11 per cent. People of Luhya, Kikuyu, and Turkana origin,
in that order, form the major groups of these immigrants.
Migration for work outside the district by residents is marginal
in West Pokot. Apart from the usual movements of
government employees a few hundred Pokot, born in the district,
work outside, mainly in Trans Nzoia.
Another form of migration is found in the pastoral areas of
the district. In the dry areas of Kacheliba and Sigor divisions
people rely on livestock for their survival. Because of irregular
rainfall, sparse vegetation and local or seasonal diseases,
such as sleeping sickness, livestock is moved to the most
appropriate land at all times of the year. The Pokot, like other
semi-nomadic herdsmen, have developed a quite sophisticated
system to get the highest benefit from these movements.
Sexratio, 1979
MAP 23
History of migration of 50 households in Alale location
Place of birth
MAP 24
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985
Number of males (15-49 years)
per 100 females
h~H Less than 77
CD 77-106
• More than 106
18 Km
Of late, a number of factors have developed which reduce
the semi-nomadic way of life. Increased population, international
boundaries, increase in violence related to cattle raiding
with powerful weapons are among these. It is expected that
the semi-nomadic way of life will gradually die out in West
Pokot District.
An illustration of the movement involved in this way of life
is given in Map 24. 50 households living in Alale location
were interviewed about their movements in previous years.
The maps show that nearly all households were concentrated
in a few places within the location in 1981. This year was at
the end of an exceptionally dry period in the area. Nearly everybody
was relying on famine relief and living near food distribution
centres. The maps, showing the location of the heads
of the households in 1979/83, their places of birth and the
places where they lived during their youth, illustrate the
movements of semi-nomadic pastoralists mentioned above.
Youth 1979/1980 1981 1982

Population projections
Tables 4 and 5 below show projections of the 1979 population
to 1988, the end of the 1984-88 plan period. The District
Planning Committee, considering the factors involved in
population growth, assumes a growth rate of 4.3 per cent for
the whole of the district. Ranges are from 3 per cent for
Kacheliba and Sigor divisions to 6 per cent for Kapenguria
division because of continuing in-migration. An unchecked
growth of 4.3 per cent per year would lead to a population
41
of over 385 thousand by the year 2000. A total population of
one million would already be reached in the year 2023.
Another consequence of a fast growing population is an
increasing number of children. Table 5 illustrates that the percentage
of children under five years of age grows by 2.3 per
cent of the total population and the 5-14 year olds by
nearly one per cent.
TABLE 4 Projected population and population density in West Pokot District,
1979-88, by division
KAPENGURIA DIV. CHEPARERIA DIV. SIGOR DIV. KACHELIBA DIV WEST POKOT DISTR
Year Popt dation No /km2 Population No/km2 Population No/km2 Population No/km2 Popi jlation No/km2
1979 55 954 34 35 089 25 34 225 17 33 348 8 158 652 17
1983 70 600 43 41 000 30 38 600 19 37 600 9 187 800 21
1984 74 900 46 42 700 31 39 700 20 38 700 10 196 000 22
1985 79 400 48 44 400 33 40 900 21 39 900 10 204 600 23
1986 84 100 51 46 200 34 42 100 21 41 100 10 213 500 24
1987 89 200 54 48 000 35 43 400 22 42 300 11 222 900 25
1988 94 500 58 49 900 36 44 700 23 43 600 11 232 700 26
Estimated
yearly 6 per cent 4 per cent 3 per cent 3 per cent 4.3 per cent
growth rate
Source: CBS 1979 and District Planning Committee
TABLE 5 Projected population by age group. West Pokot District, 1983-88
Age group
Male + female)
0- 4
5-14
15-54
55 +
1979
abs. perc.
29,663
45,926
73,222
9,548
18.7
29.0
46.3
6.0
1983
abs.
39,600
56.000
82,800
9,400
1984
abs.
41,400
58,400
86,400
9,800
1985
abs.
43,000
61,400
90,000
10,200
1986
abs.
44,900
63,900
94,000
10,700
1987
abs.
46,900
66,700
98,100
11,200
1988
abs. perc.
49,000 21.1
69,600 29.9
102,400 44.0
11,700 5.0
Total 158,359 100.0 187,800 196,000 204,600 213,500 222,900 232,700 100.0
Source: CBS and District Planning Committee
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985

Administration and
Government Staff
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

44
International boundaries
The modern administration of the present West Pokot District
started in the last years of the 19th century. In those
years the Government of Uganda Protectorate tried to assert
its authority over the area to the north of Mount Elgon and
west of Lake Turkana. Britain claimed this land as a result of
the Anglo-German Agreement of 1890. Through treaties with
the leaders of the Sebei, Karamojong and Pokot people,
some administrative control was established. The present
West Pokot District became part of Uganda's Eastern Province.
In 1902 the Eastern Province of Uganda was transferred to
Kenya Colony. Until 1926 the Suam River, from its origins on
Mount Elgon, through the Turkwel to Lake Turkana, formed
the international boundary between Kenya and Uganda. The
southern and eastern sections of the present district became
part of Naivasha Province of Kenya Colony. The area to the
north of Suam river, presently Kacheliba division, became
part of Rudolf Province of the Uganda Protectorate.
International boundary between
Uganda Protectorate and British
East Africa until 1902
Mt. Elgo
Mbale
I
f
/
/ Kital
Boundary between Uganda Protectorate and
• • • British East Africa/Kenya Colony
MAP 25
Present day boundary between Uganda
and Kenya
W38&M Present day West Pokot district
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
In 1926 the international boundary was changed again -oi
paper- to where it is nowadays. This last change was ai
attempt to align the border of the two territories with th
boundary between the land of the Pokot and that of thei
western neighbours, the Karamojong. The continuous move
ment of the groups in search of grazing and water for thei
livestock however, is the reason for frequent and longtern
border crossings even now.
Although the area north of Suam was now legally part o
Kenya, it continued to be administered by the Ugand«
Government until 1970, when the administration was formal
ly handed over to the Government of Kenya. After some dis
cussion about a possible special status as a sub-district
Karapokot division or Kacheliba division as it is called nowa
days, became a regular division of West Pokot District ir
1972.
International boundary between
Uganda Protectorate and Kenya
Colony, 1902-26
\
\
MorotoX
i
UGANDA,
PROTECTORATE*
1
Lodwar
Mt. Elgo Kapenguna
Mbale Y Kltale
.7
I
MAP 26 Based on Barber ( 1 968)

District headquarters and divisions
n 1910 the first government post was established at a place
ailed Ngabotok 'to administer the Suk and the Turkana'.
Igabotok does not exist anymore. It was situated near the
resent center of Kainuk in Turkana District. The post moved
1913 to Maerich. Maerich is the present day centre of
Vakor in Sigor division.
/Vest Suk/ West Pokot district
headquarters, 1910-83
MAP 27
18 km
EAST SUK
46
The next move already took place in 1915, when Kacheliba
was designated district headquarters. At that time, Kacheliba
was on the Uganda side of the international border. In June
1929 the district headquarters was moved to its present location
at Kapenguria. The various locations of the district headquarters
are shown on Map 27.
West Suk District was established in 1918, after a period
when it was administered together with Turkana.
Until 1921 it was part of Naivasha Province. From 1921 to
1929 West Suk was part of Kerio Province, then part of Turkana
Province until 1941. In 1941 the district was incorporated
in Rift Valley Province.
The name 'West Suk' was coined by the colonial administration.
'Suk' is said to be derived from the name given to the
Pokot people by the Masai. 'East Suk' was the part of Baringo
District, inhabited by Pokot.
The area to the north of Suam river, the present Kacheliba
division, was called 'Kara Suk'. The name 'West Pokot' is
used since independence.
The colonial government created the first locations in the
period 1920-2 and appointed chiefs. Also local courts were
formed around this time.
The system of divisions, administrative units comprising of
several locations, was established in 1957. In that year the
district was divided into a Kapenguria or Borna division and
a Lower or Sigor division. Karasuk or Karapokot was still
administered by Uganda until 1970.
Map 28b shows the situation from 1970 until 1979, when
West Pokot was divided in three divisions. The present situation,
established in 1979, is shown in Map 28c. In 1979 Chepareria
division was formed incorporating Kipkomo and Sook
locations of Kapenguria division and Batei location of Sigor
division.
/Vest Suk/ West Pokot District administrative divisions, 1957-83
MAP 28a
1957-70 1970-79 Since 1979
18 km
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

46
Locations and sublocations
Maps 29a and 29b show the location and sublocation boundaries,
as they appear on the maps used for the national
population census in 1969 and 1979 respectively.
The boundaries as at July 1983 are the agreed boundaries
that were used for the parliamentary and local government
elections of September 1983. (Map 30).
Administrative boundaries, 1969 and 1979
MAP 29 a
SOOK
1 Endugh
2 Ptoyo
3 Nakwijit
4 Chepnyal
A
KIPKOMO
5 Chesera
6 Chepkopegh
7 Chepareria
RIWA
8 Chesera
9 Kongelai
10 Kanyarkwat
1969
• Administered by
i Uganda Government
MNAGEI
11 Serewo
12 Kishaunet
13 Kamatira forest
14 Keringet
15 Kapenguria
LELAN
16 Chepkono
17 Kapsangar
18 Kapsait
19 Lelan forest
BATEI
20 Morobus
21 Parua
22 Ortum
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Location boundary
Sub-location boundary
13 26 Km
Source CBS populanon cer>sus 1969
WEIWEI
23 Wakor
24 Sangat
25 Korelach
26 Ptokou
MWINO
27 Ptalam
28 Kokwotendwo
29 Kale
30 Kitoyo
LOMUT
31 Ptuasis
32 Mogogh
33 Seito
34 Toghomo
CHEPTULEL
35 Chepkokogh
JU in'yOipùiwu
37 Lepei
MASOL
38 Katangun
39 Nyangaita
40 Akiriamet
41 Chepserem
SEKERR
42 Powei
43 Chepkondol
44 Mpara
45 Sarmai
46 Talon
It is necessary to point out that some boundaries are not £
clearly defined on the ground as they seem to appear in th
maps. In cases where rivers or roads are used as boundaries
there is no problem. Sometimes however they are define
along more doubtful lines.
MAP 29 b
ALALE
1 Lokitanyala
2 Aiaie
3 Pcholio
KASEI
4 Chepropogh
5 Korokou
KAPCHOK
6 Konyao
7 Kodich
SUAM
8 Kacheliba
9 Nakuyen
10 Kanyerus
1979
SOOK
11 Nakwijit
Ï2 Ptoyo
13 Endugh
14 Chepnyal
KIPKOMO
15 Chepkopegh
16 Chesira
17 Chepareria
BATEI
18 Ortum
19 Morobus
20 Parwa
RIWA
21 Chesera
22 Kongelai
23 Kanyarkwat
Source CBS population census 19
MNAGEI
24 Serewo
25 Kishaunet
26 Keringet
27 Talau
28 Siyoi
29 Kapenguria TC
30 Makutano
LELAN
31 Chepkono
32 Kapsait
33 Kapsangar
34 Chebon
MWINO
35 Kale
36 Kokwotendwo
37 Ptalam
LOMUT
38 Toghomo
39 Seito
40 Ptuasis
WEIWEI
41 Wakor
42 Ptokou
43 Korelach
SEKERR
44 Orwa/Mbara
45 Chepkondol
MASOL
46 Masol
CHEPTULEL
47 Nyorpotwo
48 Lepei

Administrative boundaries West Pokot District, 1983
Trans Nzoia "Springes » .s t -, -s
ualau,i^l v i > *^Chepkonci /- , Kapsangar
V
MAP 30 \
*LELAN /
* Chebon S
International boundary
— — District boundary
Division boundary
Location boundary
Sublocation boundary
* K
A " v '"s / ElgeyoMarakwet
47
"•N^/Kapkanyar
Kapsa
•- _ Jr 'X 18 Km
_i
District Atlas West Pokot, 1965

48
Electoral wards and constituencies
A 'Local Native Council' was formed by the colonial Government
in 1925. It was first composed of location chiefs and it's
activities were not significant.
In 1950 this Council was replaced by the 'African District
Council', which gradually became more important on local
issues. Some of its members were elected.
After indepence the Area Council of Pokot was established.
In the first years, it was a unit within the Sirikwa County
Council based at Eldoret. Eventually the County Council of
Pokot was gazetted. Its headquarters are at Kapenguria and
the Council covers the whole of West Pokot District.
Eighteen elected councillors represent the voters. The electo­
Electoral wards for the County
Council of Pokot, 1983
MAP 31
= One councillor
ral wards which they represent are shown on
Map 31. Apart from these eighteen elected members, the
Council has also three nominated members, while the District
Commisioner is an ex-officio member.
The first politician to represent West Pokot (or West Suk as
it was called in those days) in a national forum was Daniel
Arap Moi, who is now the President of the Republic o1
Kenya. In 1955 he was elected on the Legislative Council to
represent Rift Valley Province. <
Since 1964 the district is represented in Parliament by two
Members. The boundaries of the constituencies Pokot West
and Pokot East are indicated on Map 32.
Parliamentary constituencies, 1983
MAP 32
One member of parliament
TABLE 6 Administrative divisions, locations and approximate area, 1983
Location Number of
Sublocations
Lelan
Kapenguria
Mnagei
Riwa
5
3
4
3
Area in
square km
514
101
290
733
25 »Cm
Location Number of
Sublocati ons
Kipkomo
Batei
Sook
3
3
4
Area in
square km
KAPENGURIA DIV. 15 1638 CHEPARERIA DIV. 10 1358
Location
Wei wei
Sekerr
Masol
Lomut
Cheptulel
Mwino
Number of
Sublocations
3
4
3
3
?
3
Area in
square km
253
511
622
412
69
110
Location
Suam
Kapchok
Kasei
Chemerongit
Alale
Number of
Sublocations
3
3
3
2
4
321
343
694
Area in
square km
376
724
1265
540
1106
SIGOR DIV. 18 1980 KACHELIBA DIV. 15 4013
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

Development of government establishment
Until independence, few civil servants were posted to West
Pokot. Generally, the activities of the colonial government
were limited to keeping of law and order.
Only from the 1950's onwards some systematic attempts
were made to generate economic development. The scheme
under which these development projects were organized,
was the ALDEV programme. ALDEV stands for African Land
Development. The programme was the result of a change of
heart by the colonial administration, when nationalism
increased in Kenya and more attention for the development
of the agriculture and livestock industry of the African population
was called for.
The turnover of colonial administrators in West Pokot District
was high. A total of 39 different Commissioners have been
in charge of the district from 1913 to independence in 1964.
For ease of administration. West Pokot has been a 'closed
district' until 1964. The official reason for this isolation was
the protection of the indigenous people against European or
African outsiders, who would take over their land. On the
other hand it also meant isolation from the rest of the nation.
Closed districts such as West Pokot therefore lagged behind
other parts of Kenya in social and economic development at
the time of independence.
While exact numbers of civil servants employed in West
Pokot until the present time are not available to us, it is safe
to state that their numbers increased at least six times since
independence, and more than 20 times since the 1950's. We
49
know for example that in 1957 the district had only eleven
senior and intermediate level (European) civil servants: a District
Commissioner, one District Officer, one forester, one prison
warden, two police officers, one school principal, two
agricultural workers and two veterinary technicians. In 1983
the district boasted 67 senior and 599 intermediate level
government-employees, not counting teaching staff, security
personnel and parastatal employees.
Before independence, only few Ministries had offices and
staff at district level. In many cases Turkana, West Pokot and
Trans Nzoia District were served from Kitale.
The result was that West Pokot and Turkana did not receive
a lot of attention. A final big boost to the full establishment
of all government services in West Pokot was given by inauguration
of the District Focus for Rural Development in July
1983. Under this policy the district will receive even more
qualified staff, while at the same time a number of decisions
formerly made at provincial or national headquarters will now
devolve to the district.
The increase of government employees and services in West
Pokot has severly strained the housing and available office
capacity of the district headquarters. Apart from the Special
Rural Development Programme in the mid seventies and a
major hospital expansion programme which included new
staff housing, not many of such facilities were added since
the great influx of civil servants began.
PLATE 8 Distict Commissioner's Office
at Kapenguria
PLATE 9 District Development Office
under construction
District Attas West Pokot, 1985

50
Government establishment
Table 7 below lists the government employees by department
and according to groups of salary scales. It also indicates
the number working at district headquarters and civil
servants working at divisional, locational and sublocational
level. In the table these last three groups are all listed under
divisional level.
Excluded from the tabulation are security personnel (Kenya
Police, Administration Police, General Service Unit and Kenya
Armed Forces). Also excluded are employees of parastatal
organizations such as Agricultural Finance Corporation, Kerio
TABLE 7
Valley Development Authority, National Youth Service etc.
A third category, not shown in this tabulation, are teachers
in primary and secondary schools. Their numbers, qualifications
and distribution are presented in a separate section of
this atlas (pages 113/114 and 116).
While the total number of employees receiving their salaries
from the government in the table is 2488, a similar number
can safely be added to account for the other categories of
government paid workers, excluded from Table 7.
Number of government employees by department, district headquarters and
division, January 1983 Number of government
employees
Government Department
Agriculture
Adult Education
Basic Education
Coop. Development
County Council
Culture and Social Services
Economic Planning & Development
Forest Department
Health
Information
Land Adjudication
Survey Department
Livestock
National Registration
Prison Department
Provincial Administration
Registrar General
Revenue
Tourism & Wildlife
Trade
Transport & Communication (roads)
Transport & Communication (RARP)
Water Development
Works & Housing
Total
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985
1
• 5
• 10
• 40
District headquarters Kapenguria division Sigor division
Sen Int Jun Oth Sen Int Jun Oth Sen Int Jun Oth
I..
I
I«
.... ••..
•:
i
.*
• ••
•••
>••• ••
:- A •••
52
•- ••
• • •
•••
339 361 61
••
••
••• ••
>••• ••
••••
••••:l
4 83 242 401 4 64 185 71

Government establishment
Interesting differences appear in the establishments of the
major Ministries at the district and the sub-district level. At
the time of compiling the data eight departments were headed
by civil servants lower than jobgroup H. 1t may be expected
that with the implementation of the District Focus for
Rural Development, more senior officers will be posted in
West Pokot soon. Another interesting feature is the distribution
of government employees, over district headquarters
and sub-district level. On the one side of the scale, the
Type of government employees
Sen = Senior(JobgroupsH and above)
Int = Intermediate (Jobgroups D-G)
Jun = Junior (Jobgroups A-C)
Oth = Workspaid and casual workers
Chepareria division
Sen Int
••••
Jun
Oth
•••
Kacheliba division
Sen Int Jun
•••
••••
Oth
54 146 95 69 125 125
51
Ministry of Health maintains a very big and highly qualified
establishment at the district hospital (15 senior, 120 intermediate
and 38 junior staff). The rest of the district (health
centres and dispensaries) had 1 senior health staff, 45 intermediate
and 18 junior workers employed by the Ministry.
The opposite picture appears with the Rural Access Roads
Programme with 469 junior and 17 intermediate staff in the
field, whilst there are only 6 intermediate and one junior level
staff at the district level at January 1983.
Government Department Total West Pokot District
Sen Ini Jun Oth
Agriculture 2 43 47 —
Adult Education 1 8 3 140
Basic Education 9 18 96 13
Coop. Development 4 7 3 -
County Council 3 17 36 —
Culture and Social Services 2 44 15 —
Economic Planning & Development — 3 3 113
Forest Department 2 12 239 —
Health 16 165 57 —
Information — 3 3 —
Land Adjudication 2 27 5 61
Survey Department 1 12 12 28
Livestock 4 46 48 —
iNational Registration 1 10 10 —
Prison Department 1 5 68 —
Provincial Administration 14 86 110 —
Registrar General — 1 1 —
Revenue 1 3 1 —
iTourism & Wildlife 1 6 49 14
'Trade - 7 1 —
.Transport & Communication (roads) — 31 93 —
ITransport & Communication (RARP) — 23 2 470
Water Development 2 13 53 7
(Works & Housing 1 9 21 —
Total 67 599 976 846
District Atlas West Pokot, 1965

Agriculture and Livestock
53
District Attas West Pokot, 1986

54
Land adjudication
In former times land ownership was vested in a clan or a
tribe. Each tribe had its rules governing the use of land by individuals
and families. Also inheritance of the use of land was
regulated by customs. Courts of elders, in some societies
traditional chiefs, decided in case of disagreements or complications
as the guardians of the law of their people.
Also in traditional Pokot society such rules exist. Because
of the nature of their land, the Pokot developed two distinctly
different ways of life, as was indicated in the chapter about
population One section of the Pokot people, called 'pi pö
tich', occupies the lower and drier parts of the district. Their
economy revolves around livestock. A number of their
customs and laws were borrowed from semi-nomadic
neighbours, the Karamojong and the Turkana. The rules they
developed about land use, have to help them to survive in
areas where rainfall and vegetation are scarce. Movement of
their herds and access to seasonal grazing and water are
essential.
The other section of the Pokot, the 'pi pö pagh' or
agricultural people, have a more settled way of life. The traditional
rules to govern their use of land contribute to their survival
as sedentary farmers. Some Pokot practise furrow
irrigation. In that case regulations must exist about the access
to these furrows.
Development of land adjudication, 1973-83
MAP 33b
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985
With the advent of modern commercial farming, influx of
outsiders into the district and increasing population, the old
rules cannot cope anymore. Commercial farming requires investment
of capital in the land. A farmer will only invest such
capital, if he is assured that the land will continue to be his.
Also credit is necessary to develop farming enterprises. To
obtain credit from a bank or another credit source, the farmer
must be able to deposit the certificate of ownership (title
deed) of his land with the credit institution as security against
defaulting on repayment.
The process to transfer land from traditional ownership to
modern freehold or leasehold is called land adjudication. The
Land Adjudication Department in the Ministry of Lands and
Settlement is responsible for its implementation. Councils of
elders, chiefs, Survey Department and District Land Board
are other agencies involved in the process.
The process itself consists of three phases. An area is first
declared adjudication section. People claim their (traditional)
rights on certain pieces of land, an area is set aside for public
purposes, then surveyors measure and map all land. All the
results of this first phase are published for everyone concerned
to study. After publication of the preliminary boundaries
people may raise objections, which are then settled. A section
is finalized when all disputes are settled. Details and
1973
1976
V,
Declared
'T/A Published
Finalized

Land adjudication
cadastral maps of each parcel are centered in a District Land
Registry. After registration the owner can obtain a title deed
to his or her land.
Land adjudication in West Pokot District started in the early
1970's. By that time large tracts of land had already been
registered in other parts of Kenya. The Special Rural
Development Programme in Kapenguria division, which had
improved modern farming as one of its aims, supported the
MAP 33e
55
initial exercise. The progress of adjudication over the years is
shown in Maps 33a-e Nearly a quarter of a million hectares
of land or almost 30 per cent of the land area of West Pokot
was under adjudication in 1983. Of this total about half was
finalized. Of all the land adjudicated, or under adjudication,
approximately one eighth was parcelled up as small holder
farms; the remainder as group ranches.
1979
1981
1983
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

56
Land adjudication
Adjudication sections in West Pokot District, status and characteristics, 1983
Number Name of the Characteristic Area in Number of Number Name of the Characteristic Area in Number o
on map section hectares parcels on map section hectares parcels
1. Pachu Goupranch 8 207 15. Kodich Groupranch . .
2. Orwa Groupranch 14 638 16. Katikomor Groupranch 600 1
3. Ortum West Groupranch 3 660 17. Kanyarkwat
'B Smallholdings 3 131 154
4. Morobus Groupranch 7 548 18. Keringet 'B' Smallholdings 1 146 129
5. Chepkobegh Groupranch 17 500 19. Kishaunet Smallholdings 4 591 355
6. Nakwijit Groupranch 20 614 20. Keringet 'A' Smallholdings 5 839 730
7. Chesera Groupranch 10 635 21. Chemwochoi
'A' Smallholdings 5 109 378
8. Chemwochoi 'B Groupranch 1 835 22. Siyoi 'A' Smallholdings 7 346 743
9. Kongelai Groupranch 2 221 23. Siyoi 'B' Smallholdings 1 761 46
10. Serewa Groupranch 10 102 4 24 Chepareria Smallholdings - -
11. Kanyarkwat Groupranch 3 131 1 25. Chepkono - - -
12. Kanyerus Groupranch - - 26. Parua 'A' - - -
13. Nakuyen Groupranch - - 27. Ortum East - - -
14. Kacheliba Groupranch - -
MAP 34
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
•*iip M
IK
S\
Smallholdings
Groupranch
No characteristic yet
/
/
/
/
V
/
•~-~w
...
x
ƒ
S

Farming systems
In the section about land adjudication, we have indicated
that the Pokot people had two distinctly different methods of
subsistence.
In the plains, people were dependent on livestock for their
needs. The important role of livestock in all spheres of their
life, gave rise to the term 'cattle-complex'. This term was
coined by anthropologists. An idea developed that
pastoralists had an irrational love for cattle and that the sheer
number of livestock was the only thing they were interested
in. Such misconceptions still exist today. In the following
section about livestock, we will explain that the way
pastoralists manage their herds are much more rational and
sophisticated than is sometimes suggested. On the other
hand, a number of external factors have developed, which
will surely cause the extinction of this method of subsistence.
Another section of the Pokot people, who lived in the
Cherangani and Sekerr hills and the highlands around
Kapenguria, subsisted as settled farmers. While their
methods were called 'primitive' by colonial observers, closer
observation shows that they also used their environment very
intelligently. One of the features of their farming system is the
use of different agro- climatic zones by one farming family.
Thus the risk of crop failure is spread and harvests are staggered
over the year. The Hill Pokot (and their neighbours the
Marakwet) also developed extensive furrow irrigation
systems. In this respect, they were advanced compared to
other agricultural peoples of Kenya, where irrigation was only
introduced very recently. The major crops grown by the
agricultural Pokot were millet and sorghum, of which they
knew several varieties.
One person who has been very important for the moderniza­
Modern and traditional farming by location, 1982
MAP 35a
57
tion of agriculture in West Pokot, and whose name is still
familiar to many people in the district, was Mr. G.H. Chaundy.
This agronomist was posted to West Suk in 1931 ' to
make a close study of the Suk, with respect to the best
methods to adopt in the new school to help them socially
and economically'. He started an agricultural training at the
Government African School at Kapenguria. In this school,
boys of various parts of the district were taught more up to
date methods of farming; new crops were introduced and soil
conservation methods demonstrated. School leavers from
Chaundy's course were posted to various parts of West
Pokot to start demonstration plots and chiefs were encouraged
to invite their people to see and imitate these methods.
Chaundy himself toured the district tirelessly to supervise,
demonstrate and promote modern crops and agricultural
methods. Although his work did not rneet with succes
everywhere at once, he certainly contributed to the development
of modern agriculture in West Pokot. A considerable
number of his students became the progressive farmers one
finds nowadays in the southern part of the district.
Maps 35a-c show, by location, the estimated proportion of
households engaged in modern mixed farming, subsistence
farming and pastoralism respectively. As might be expected,
modern mixed farming -production of crops and livestock
produce mainly for the market- dominates only in Lelan,
Kapenguria and Mnagei locations in the south of West Pokot.
In Kipkomo and Batei locations, this way of farming is gaining
in importance. In the remainder of the district, the majority
of households produce for their own consumption, either
through cultivation of crops or keeping of livestock. Usually
the family has a combination of both. A small surplus may
be traded for cash or other goods.
Modern mixed farming Agriculture for home consumption Semi pastoralism
Percentage of all households involved
less than 10 W l 40-70
10-40 more than 70
18 km
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

58
Farming systems
The various combinations of crops and livestock at the different
farmtypes in the district are worked out in some more
detail in Figure 7 and Map 36. This figure and map are based
on unpublished data from the Central Bureau of Statistics,
who conducted surveys in clusters of households in the nine
places shown, during 1982 and 1983.
Interesting differences appear in both illustrations. Contrary
to many other parts of Kenya, the average number of acres
under cultivation by one household, depicted on Map 36, is
equally dependent on labour and technology in the
household, as it is on the amount of land a family may have
access to. Only in the southern part of the district, close to
Kapenguria, has subdivision of land started. There, plot sizes
are in some areas being reduced to what is more usual in
other high potential districts in Kenya. Intensive land use
through zero grazing, vegetable growing etc. have to make
up for unavailability of more land. Of the crops, maize is
clearly the most common, while livestock is lead by cattle,
closely followed by goats as the second common animal.
The great variation of altitudes and soils in the district is the
cause of considerable variation in crops and also in planting
and harvesting dates as Figure 8 indicates. More details of
Average number of acres per
household at nine places, 1982
MAP 36
o 8
o 6
© 7
25 Km
Number of acres per household
© less than 5
O 5—10
• more than 10
1 Kishaunet
2 Talau
3 Keringet
4 Chepkono
5 Parus
6 Chepkopegh
7 Chepkondol
8 Chepnyal
9 Toghomo
the various agro-climatic zones and the soils of West Pokot
were given in Part 2 of this atlas.
Estimates about the potential of landuse by the Ministry of
Agriculture and Livestock Development indicate that less
than 3 per cent of the total land of West Pokot is of high
potential. Nearly 6 per cent is medium potential, 28 per cent
is marginal and 44 per cent has range potential. The rest is
taken up by forests and unusable land.
Recent evaluations of the population carrying capacity of the
district show that annual rainfall is critical for the amount of
food the district can produce. This is explained by the large
proportion of marginal land, that will only produce food in
years with sufficient rainfall. In years when rainfall is below
average. West Pokot is a food-deficit district, assuming the
present levels of farm management. With improved management,
cultivation of all arable land and increased use of irrigation,
the district should be able to produce a surplus, any
year, for the present number of people. The picture is more
positive for years with average rainfall. In such years West
Pokot produces considerably more food than the present
population consumes. In fact, calculations show that in such
years the district could support more than half a million people
under present levels of management.
Location of places in Figure 8
MAP 37
Crops and livestock on farms at nine places, 1982
1 Kishaunet £
2 Talau •
3 Keringet •
4 Chepkono 0
5 Parua 4 J
6 Chepkopegh „) »
7 Chepkondol J a »
8 Chepnyal 1 h *
9 Toghomo % » *
FIGURE 7
District Atlas West Pokot, 19a 5
** al KokwoterxKvo
Maize Millet Sorghum Beans Pyrethrum Cassava Bananas Cattle Goats Sheep
*
*
*
Chepareria Tamkat
m
Percentage of all households
growing certain crops
• or keeping certain livestock
J
»
k * less than 25%
» 25-50%
J • 50—75%
a » • more than 75%
9
•
> 9 Source : CBS unpublished 1982/1983
* • k

Farming systems
PLATE 10 View of an agricultural Pokot house PLATE 11 View of a pastoral Pokot house
Planting and harvesting periods at various altitudes
Location and altitude
Lelan—2500 m
Maize (hybrid 614.61 1)
Potatoes
Mnagei—1950 m
Maize (hybrid 625,611)
Potatoes
Kokwotendwo—2150 m
Maize (local)
Fingermillet
Chepareria —1800 m
Maize (hybrid 511.512)
Fingermillet
Sorghum
Tamkal—1500 m
Fingermillet
Tamkal—1350 m
Maize (local)
Sorghum
Fingermillet
Weiwei—1050 m
Sorghum
Fingermillet
Kongelai—1250 m
Maize (511, Katumani. local)
Alale—1700 m
Sorghum
Male—2400 m
FIGURE 8
Maize (local)
Maize (Hybrid 625,611)
March April May June July August Sept
O-o—o—
o •o-o
o-O
a
o-o
o-o
O-o
o-O—
o
o
oo-
O
O-O
o—
o
o
o
o Some planting
Q___) Mam planting
Some harvesting
Mam harvesting
o
59
Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb March April
Planting period
Growing period
Source Porter W 1964
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

60
Distribution of crops in West Pokot District, 1982
Coffee
Sunflower
Maize
MAP 38
Pyrethrum
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
*
r y
°ßl
-%
Vi
tijß*e
^
Coffee
Sunflower
Maize
Pyrethrum
Cotton
f* Fruits
Irish Potatoes
Sorghum
Beans
I .V f
G>!
f (I
Irish Potatoes
Fruits (Pawpaw,
Citrus, Bananas)
Wla
• TH
y
°ß
Cotton
Sorghum
Beans
18 Km

Crop development
In the section about farming systems we have said that
fingermillet and sorghum were the two important grain crops
of the Pokot. Fingermillet was the major crop in the hills of
the district. A new plot was cleared every year on a slope.
The reason given for this pratice, which encourages erosion,
was that people said that it prevented a disease called 'Cheptaita'.
This disease would attack millet grown on the flat and
make the seeds rot.
More sophisticated was the growing of sorghum. This crop
was cultivated mainly in the valleys in the north eastern part
of the district. Farmers used five distinctly different varieties
of seed, each adapted to special cicumstances. Sorghum
was sown in April and harvested in September. Often a
second crop was planted in October, or the first crop cut off
to sprout again. The harvest of the second crop would be in
February. Furrow irrigation was used to provide water if rainfall
was insufficient. Irrigated fields, where sorghum was
grown, were more permanent than millet fields. Through a
system of small plots at various altitudes along a slope,
farmers ensured that the risks of crop failure were spread and
also that the harvests were spread over the year. Pokot
farmers in the hills distinguished four zones from high to low:
mösop, kamas, too and kew, all of which were used for farming.
In the early 1930's, a number of new crops were introduced
in the district. They were tried out at the Government African
School at Kapenguria. Seeds, and other planting materials
were distributed to farmers through demonstration plots. The
new crops -maize, English potatoes, cassava, bananas,
pigeon peas, groundnuts and sweet potatoes- proved to do
well in the appropriate agro-climatic zones. However, it was
more difficult to get the crops established as part of the normal
cropping pattern of the Pokot farmers in the hills.
Although people liked the taste of most of the new food,
they were suspicious about its effects and the reasons for the
trouble the colonial government took to introduce them. It
was said that the Europeans were only trying out the new
crops to establish where they would do well, so that they
could later take the land, as had happened in Trans Nzoia
District. Also the crops themselves were looked at with suspicion.
The Pokot reasoned that God had given them cattle,
goats and sheep. If they would add chickens and other
foreign foods God might take one of the old ones away.
Other fears were that the sweet taste of maize might make
the women too fat to be able to bear children.
Still, slowly, the new crops caught on. Especially maize gained
in popularity. The sweet taste, the higher yields compared
to millet and sorghum and the resistance against diseases
and birds were appreciated by the farmers. In the river valleys
of Weiwei, Mwino, Lomut and Cheptulel locations bananas,
sweet potato and cassava became gradually part of the cropping
pattern. Irrigation appeared to be very conducive to
these crops. Later other fruits such as mangoes and
pawpaws were added.
In the period around 1955, two new crops were added. Coffee,
which appeared to do well around Kapenguria and
pyrethrum for the highlands of Lelan, were promoted as cash
crops. In the meantime, beans got established as a popular
foodcrop, normally interplanted with maize. For the lowlands
and irrigated fields, fruits such as mangoes and pawpaw,
received attention again and the planting of citrus fruits was
encouraged.
The latest crops were introduced after independence. These
are sunflowers and cotton. Both are not very important yet,
although the area planted with sunflowers is increasing. On
a smaller scale, a number of other crops have been found
suitable for the circumstances of the district. Sugarcane and
Development of maize
hectarage, 1967-83
FIGURE 9
61
I 1 Local varieties
ES3 Hybrid maut
rice have been grown succesfully, amongst other crops, by
the Kerio Valley Development Authority at an experimental
irrigated farm near Sigor. Also tea, which is not yet grown in
West Pokot, should do well in parts of Kapenguria and Lelan
locations.
Apart from the major field crops mentioned above, the
acreage under vegetables for home consumption and the
local market increased considerably with the growing population
and availability of cash in the district. Tomatoes, cabbages,
onions, carrots, sukumawiki (Kale) etc. are sold daily
at the markets in the district. In Map 38 we have depicted the
major crops in West Pokot and the places where they are
grown.
Figure 9 summarizes the estimated maize hectarage in the
period 1967-83. It must be emphasized that the area under
maize, shown in this figure, is an estimate only. Although the
Departement of Agriculture makes a serious effort* to
establish the acreage under each crop, the size and inaccessibility
of parts of the district make it impossible to do
more than make a well educated guess. Also interplanting of
various crops in one field and shifting cultivation in more
remote areas complicate the measurement of fields under
cultivation.
It is estimated that about 12 thousand hectares are cropped
with maize during the last few years. The hectarage is likely
to increase yearly with a growing population and clearing of
more land for agriculture. The yield in each year is dependent
on the rainfall. This relation is especially critical for the lower
areas of the district. In a year with good rainfall such as the
1982/83 crop year, the district produces about 40 thousand
tons of maize. If rains are erratic or far under the average, the
total yield may be less than half of this.
The maximum amount of maize sold in any one year to the
National Cereals and Produce Board was 120 689 bags in the
1981/82 season. Apart from maize, officially sold to the
Board, a considerable amount is sold unofficially or through
the local market.
Ironically, even in years of considerable surplus, maize is also
imported into West Pokot. Because the district has no major
grain storage facilities to date, maize is transported to storage
in Kitale in the months of January, February and March. In
the highlands of West Pokot people have normally remained
with enough stock to last them to the next harvest. The
lowlands, however, normally experience a shortage starting
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

62
Crop development
from June or July. Maize is then brought back to the district
from Kitale or further away. Also maize for neighbouring
Turkana District, which experiences a chronic shortage of
this commodity, is normally taken there from Kitale or further
away. Plans are underway to establish a NCPB grain storage
facility at Makutano, thus eliminating transport expenses to
and from Kitale.
Because of its great variation in altitude and consequently
rainfall, all maize seed varieties, marketed in Kenya, are
grown in the district. Figure 9 also shows that local maize
varieties have largely been replaced by commercial varieties,
mainly hybrids, appropriate to the particular altitude.
Figure 10a summarizes the hectarage of other major foodcrops
occuping a large hectarage. Again a warning about
uncertainty of the figures shown, should be given. The beans
hectarage is notoriously difficult to estimate. Beans are normally
interplanted with maize and plant densities vary considerably.
Nevertheless, the trend and the orders of
magnitude are realistic. The total area under beans is increasing
yearly. Beans, which have been part of the menu in other
parts of Kenya for a long time, are gaining popularity as
nutritious food in West Pokot. To date, only little of the
surplus is marketed officially through the NCPB. Most of the
production is consumed locally and surplusses traded
through local markets or transported to other parts of Kenya
in small quantities. The largest quantity ever sold to NCPB
was 3 855 bags in the 1981/82 season, only 15 per cent of the
estimated total production in that year.
The two traditional foodcrops, fingermillet and sorghum,
appear to maintain a steady area of about 1800 and 500 to
600 hectares respectively. A number of years ago, before
maize became the universally popular foodcrop in West
Pokot, the area under these crops must have been more
extensive. Apart from providing grain to be ground and cooked
as ugali, fingermillet is used to brew beer trough fermentation.
Also part of the sorghum crop is used this way.
Sorghum is experiencing a modest revival as ä foodcrop of
late. Its resistance to drought and the availability of varieties,
less susceptible to bird damage, are useful for more secure
food production in the semi arid areas of West Pokot. The
nutritional value of sorghum is also higher than that of maize.
Surplusses of sorghum and millet are only traded locally.
Small quantities may end up as far as Kitale, but the bulk is
consumed locally.
The other crops, shown in Figure 10b, occupy presently less
then one hundred hectares each. Again the warning given
before applies. Our estimates must be treated with caution.
Each of the crops is agronomically suited to certain parts of
the district. Their low hectarage is more a resuit of the
required level of investment and management, sometimes
combined with marketing problems, than anything else.
Of the crops shown in Figure 10b, potatoes, groundnuts,
cassava, bananas and citrus are consumed locally.
Surplusses are traded at local markets. Only small quantities
may end up in neighbouring districts. The potential of each
of the crops is considerably larger than the present production.
It is likely that both the area and the yield per hectare
will increase in the coming years.
Potatoes grow very well in the highlands of Lelan, Mnagei
and Kapenguria locations. Together with beans, their
popularity as a foodcrop is growing. Potatoes presently yield
up to 20 tons per hectare. With good quality seed potatoes,
proper spacing and fertilizing, yields can be doubled in a
good season. One of the problems of potato growing is the
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Development of various crops, 1979-83
Ha
6000-1
5000-
4 000-
3 000-
2 000-
1 000-
0-
1979
FIGURE 10a
1980 1982 1983
Sorghum
J Fingermillei
Pulses : Beans
transport to the market. Potatoes are a bulky crop with a
comparatively low value and relatively short storage life.
Good roads to potato growing areas, especially in Lelan, are
therefore essential for its further development
Groundnuts are grown in the lower areas of the district, for
home consumption and local trading. Although some
varieties are reasonably drought resistant, groundnuts benefit
much from irrigation. Improved varieties, proper husbandry
and fertilizing would increase yields considerably. Groundnuts
are a high value crop and fetch good prices at national
and international markets.
Cassava, as elsewhere in Kenya, is liked for its drought resistant
qualities. In West Pokot, it is planted in small plots, or
interplanted with other crops in the lower areas of the
district. A lot of cassava is grown along irrigation furrows in
Sigor division. Of late, the crop was also introduced to
Kacheliba division and Riwa location of Kapenguria division.
Many of the cuttings from local plants suffer from virus
diseases. In order to boost the production of this useful
famine crop, virus free planting material needs to be
distributed.
Bananas are grown in small quantities throughout the
district, except in the highest areas. The largest concentrations
are found in the areas of traditional irrigation in Sigor
and Chepareria divisions. Bananas like fertile soils and plenty
of water. To date, bananas are mainly grown for home consumption
and local trading. Bananas are also bought by
traders, together with other fruits, at markets in Sigor,
Lomut, Chesegon, Tamkal and Sebit and then transported to
Kapenguria or Kitale.
Citrus fruits are a relatively new crop in West Pokot. They
are grown on small acreages in most parts of the district. Like
bananas, citrus fruits -lemons, oranges and grapefruits- do
very well in the lower areas, where irrigation is available.
Nurseries at Kapenguria, Sigor (Kerio Valley Development
Authority) and Amolem Irrigation Scheme supply seedlings
to interested farmers.
Figure 10b also presents information about the estimated
hectarage of a number of pure cashcrops: sunflower,
pyrethrum, cotton and coffee.
Sunflower was introduced in West Pokot District in the mid
1970's. It was taken up as a promising cash crop by a number
of farmers, especially in Mnagei and Kapenguria locations.
Interest soon declined, when it appeared that the prices paid
were disappointing and that the farmers could make a better
profit growing maize. Since 1979 sunflower picked up again,
because the prices increased.
Pyrethrum is another cash crop with fluctuating fortunes. It
was stimulated as a cash crop for Lelan location under the
Special Rural Development Programme since 1973. Later the
promotion was continued under the Integrated Agricultural

Crop development
Development Programme (IADP). The pyrethrum hectarage
more than doubled in the 1979/80 crop year from under 35
to over 70 hectares. A serious problem arose when payments
to farmers started delaying in 1981, 1982 and 1983. In fact,
the hectarage shown for pyrethrum in Figure 10b may be
overestimated as farmers started to uproot some of their
pyrethrum plants when problems with payments continued.
If the Pyrethrum Board can resolve its payment problems, the
area under this crop may increase again. Pyrethrum does
very well in Lelan location. The pyrethrum content of the
flowers grown there is 1.6 per cent, which is high by national
standards.
Cotton is a cash crop which is not yet established among
farmers in the district. To date it is grown on the irrigation
schemes operated by Kerio Valley Development Authority at
Sigor and National Youth Service at Lomut. For the time
being, its requirements of inputs and management and the
difficulty of marketing, prevent its popularity as a cash
earner. Improvement of the main road from Marich to Biretwo
in Elgeyo Marakwet, from where cotton could reach the
new ginnery at Salawa, would make cotton growing more
Development of various crops, 1979-83
Ha
100_
80-
60-
40-
20-
0-
"I 1 1
1979 83
FIGURE 10b
Potatoes
I Sunflower
i — i — i — i — i
79 83
Pyrethrum
79 83 79 83
Cassava
i i i i i
79 83
63
attractive for farmers in Sigor division.
The last cash crop, dealt with in this section, is coffee. Coffee
as a cash crop entered the district around 1955, promoted
under the African Land Development (ALDEV) scheme.
Although the crop was well suited for the land in Mnagei and
Kapenguria locations, its management requirements
appeared quite difficult for most farmers. Nevertheless, a coffee
factory was opened in 1963, near Tartar, about 10
kilometers to the south of Kapenguria. Coffee farmers
struggled on with mixed results for some time until they were
discouraged very much in 1978 through a theft of coffee from
their factory. Many of the coffee trees were left to grow wild
without any care. During the last years, since 1980, a serious
effort is made to revitalize the coffee industry in West Pokot
through the Smallholder Coffee Improvement Project (SCIP).
The factory at Tartar has been rehabilitated, extension
strengthened and seedlings are being raised at a nursery at
Kapenguria. With the good prices the crop fetches and the
increasing sophistication of farmers, it may be expected that
the coffee area will steadily increase.
Groundnuts
• Bananas
i—i—i—i—i
79 83 79 83 79
*
Coffee
i—i—i
83
Citrus
i—i—i—i—i
79 83
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

64
Irrigation
Contrary to most other peoples of Kenya, where irrigated
agriculture was introduced recently, the Pokot have known
this art for a long time. It is not sure when the first irrigation
furrows appeared in the district, but oral history suggests
that this was hundreds of years ago.
The areas where traditional irrigation is practised are shown
in Map 39. They are concentrated in and around the
Cherangani Hills and the Sekerr Hills. Water is diverted from
the streams in these hills and conveyed by furrows to the
fields. In some cases furrows have a considerable length, up
to ten kilometers and have to descend over hundreds of
meters to reach the crops. The engineering involved in aligning
furrows over such distances and drops in altitude is quite
complicated. The Pokot farmers did this work without any
formal schooling in engineering, or any sophisticated
measuring instruments.
Furrows were used to irrigate land, especially sorghum
crops, when rainfall failed during the growing season. It was
even more vital for growing a second crop from September
to December, when rainfall is usually little. Also other crops,
such as bananas, cassava, and sugarcane received extra
water through irrigation.
The construction and maintenance of the furrows has
always been the work of men in Pokot society. Also the lopping
of trees and fencing of plots is mens' work. Communal
work is organized through the 'Kokwo'. Kokwo is a meeting
of elder men from a number of homesteads, who discuss and
decide upon all matters of public interest. Meetings are normally
held under a big tree and may involve, depending on
the nature of the subject discussed, the slaughter and consumption
of animals.
Cultivation of the land is carried out by women. Also children
are involved, to scare away birds from growing crops and to
look after livestock, which every household has.
The use of furrows for irrigation has decreased during the
last twenty to twenty five years. The introduction of maize -
with larger yields, easier husbandry and good taste- caused
a considerable decline in sorghum and millet production.
Maize was -and is- normally planted at somewhat higher
altitudes, near the tops of hills and escarpments. A lot of
forest has been cleared for maize growing, which in turn led
to erosion, landslides and flashfloods, playing havoc with the
furrow systems. Another factor, leading to a less intensive
use of furrows, was availability of paid work for (young) men
and the pressure on parents to send their children to school.
Also gold panning between Ortum and Marich, in Endugh
sub-location of Sook and on Sekerr Hills, lured many young
men away from farming. The result of these developments
has been that a number of furrows have become disused.
Damage, caused by erosion or landslides, defeated the users;
fftw people were available to maintain and repair iliem.
Of late, a reversal of this trend is noticeable. Failure of the
maize harvest, when rainfall is insufficient, increasing population
and the beginning of marketing of surplus crops,
especially fruits, makes furrow irrigation again a more feasible
and attractive proposition.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development
assists farmers in the rehabilitation of furrows and also tries
to improve the use of water on the shambas through extension.
All in all, furrow irrigation has a promising future in
West Pokot District. With very small investments, compared
to modern schemes, large acreages can be irrigated employing
many people productively. If marketing and perhaps processing
of food will gradually be made possible, the area
might produce a large surplus of foodstuffs, apart from the
subsistence for its own people. Serious attention to stop
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
forest encroachment and continued extension are however a
condition for such a bright future.
Irrigation
West Pokot District had three operational modern irrigation
schemes in 1983 and one under construction.
The first modern scheme is at Amolem, near the boundary
with Turkana District. Amolem was started in 1976 as part of
the so called 'Turkana Irrigation Cluster'. It has been managed
under this project from Lodwar and Nakuru, until part of its
management was transferred to the District Agricultural
Officer of West Pokot recently. The size of the scheme is 31.5
hectares, divided amongst just over 100 farming families.
Initially irrigation water was pumped from Weiwei
(Malmalte) river to the primary canal, while application to the
crops was by ridge and furrow. This system necessitated
considerable machinery and fuel. During the last few years
an intake canal of 2.7 kilometers was dug to allow the water
to reach the scheme through gravity. Application on the
crops is now through basin irrigation. These modifications
reduced the overhead cost considerably. Main crops grown
are maize and sorghum. Other crops are green grams,
sunflower, simsim, groundnuts, bananas, citrus fruits and
vegetables.
The second scheme is at Lomut. It is operated by the
National Youth Service and was started in 1979. About 20
hectares are irrigated. Water is obtained from a traditional
furrow, diverted from Siya river and is stored in a dam before
application through sprinklers. About 250 service men are
based at Lomut to operate the farm. Cotton and maize are
the main crops. Minor crops are vegetables, green grams,
bananas, sorghum and citrus fruits.
The third modern scheme was initiated near Sigor by the
Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA). The intake for
this scheme is at Weiwei river, about 10 kilometers from the
farm. Water runs by gravity through a furrow and is stored

igation
dams before application. Flooding and ridge and furrow
îtems are used in the field. KVDA operates tractors and
ne other machinery to run the farm. In times of peak
tour demand, a few hundred casual labourers may be
iployed, apart from about 60 permanent staff. The farm,
lich started in 1981, consisted of about 300 hectares
ared land in 1983.
pending on the season, up to 80 hectares are irrigated.
lize and sunflower are the main crops. Other crops grown
vegetables, bananas, citrus fruits, cassava, sugarcane
|d sorghum. The Authority also operates a fruit tree nursery
the scheme. Extension of the farm to 2000 hectares is
inned.
65
A fourth scheme, in its initial stages of construction in 1983,
is planned near Kodich in Kacheliba division. Implementation
is in the hands of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock
Development. The scheme will be run by a farmers' committee,
assisted by extension staff. The planned irrigated area is
about 25 hectares for 60 families. Water from Suam river will
reach the plots by gravity through a 3.5 kilometer intake canal
and be applied through basins. Maize and beans and possibly
seeds for dryland crop varieties will be the most important
crops.
PLATE 12 Citrus fruits at Sebit demonstration plot
ATE T3 Main intake canal under construction at Kodich Irrigation PLATE 14 Traditional irrigation furrow near Ortum
-heme
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

66
Livestock
Livestock is essential for the subsistence of the Pokot people
in the lowland areas of the district. We have seen before
(page 57), that nearly one third of the residents of the district
can be characterized as predominantly pastoralist. Herds,
belonging to pastoralists are mixed. They normally consists
of cattle, goats and sheep. Along the northern and eastern
edges of the district some (rich) families may also have
camels. In order to survive in their semi-arid habitat, herd
owners have to move their herds from place to place, according
to availability of grazing, shrubs, disease-free areas and
water.
Management of livestock in semi-arid areas is much more
complicated, than is sometimes assumed by outsiders. People
must know the conditions of the range over a large area,
to make the best decisions about movements. The herd has
to be split up to allow a number of animals to remain with
women, children and old people to provide them with nutrition.
Other animals will be taken further away by young men,
to make use of available grazing and water.
A very general indication of the areas where livestock is herded-
during the dry and wet season is given in Map 40. It
shows that the hills of the northern part of Kacheliba, the
Pkopoch Hills and the escarpments towards Kapenguria, the
area between Kerio river and Weiwei and the Kadam Mountains
in Uganda are normally grazed in the dry season, when
fodder is scarce in the plains. Also the area along Suam river
is used for dry season grazing. During the wet season, in normal
years, animals graze and browse in the plains to allow
other vegetation to recover for the dry season and also to
prevent infection by tsetse flies, which occurs along the
Suam river.
Drought and disease, which occur at least once in five to
seven years, can decimate herds of livestock and bring
families to poverty and famine within a short time. One of the
ways through which the Pokot try to reduce the danger of
complete loss of livestock is the so called 'tiliantan'. Tiliantan
is a insurance system among pastoralists, sometimes also
involving the agricultural Pokot in the highlands. Through this
practice, cows are 'loaned' to relatives or friends in other
parts of the district in exchange for a steer. The cows provide
milk for the person who receives it. Its calfs are the property
of the original owner. If a pastoralist has 'loaned' cows to
other people, it gives him prestige. More importantly, it gives
him also the right to claim assistance from his tiliantan partners,
when he is in need of help.
In the diet of pastoralists, milk is the most important item.
When milk is not available or insufficient, blood is taken from
a life animal. Meat is relatively unimportant for the nutrition
of pastoral people. Goats and sheep are slaughtered mainly
at special occasions. Cattle is rarely slaughtered for meat.
Only young steers and old bulls may be consumed communally
at very .special occasions, such as 'sapana', the transition
of young men into adulthood.
A factor that interferes seriously with the social and
economic life of the range areas is cattle rustling. Raiding of
livestock from other tribes has been part of the traditional
culture and indeed the economy of pastoralist in many parts
of the world. It has been a way for young men to show their
quality as warriors. It also was one of the few ways for young
men to start building a herd which they would need to get
a wife and to subsist.
With the introduction of modern weapons, the nature of cattle
rustling changed. In many cases it has degenerated into
ordinary thuggery, murder and theft, without any relation to
the old traditions. Map 41 shows the areas mainly affected by
cattle rustling and the years, when increasing violence caus-
Traditional grazing areas
ed people to abandon such land temporarily or permanent
as is the case in Masol in the east of the district.
The consequences of insecurity are serious. It results
underutilization of dangerous areas, followed by bu
encroachment; the 'safer' areas are overpopulated, overgrc
ed and show serious erosion. Facilities for schooling ar
healthcare are temporarily abandoned, civil servants a
reluctant to work in such areas, police, GSU or array oper
tions are costly in terms of human suffering and expense et
For the social and economic development of the range area
peace is essential. It must also be understood that peace c<
only remain, when all groups involved abandon th(
weapons and pastoralists throughout the region can c
about their business undisturbed. The proximity of the int«
national boundary with Uganda is no help in this respect di
ing the last years.
Distribution of various sorts of livestock throughout WE
Pokot is shown on Map 42. We have omitted a table givir
numbers of various animals in the district. Data availab
especially for traditional (zebu) cattle, goats and sheep she
such variation that they would only confuse the reader. F
a number of reasons, it is very difficult to establish tl
number of livestock in semi- arid areas. Insecurity, leading
the loss of livestock and sudden movement of herds, h
been mentioned before. Seasonal movements, depending (
rainfall and prospects of grazing and water are another facto

istribution of livestock. West Pokot District
Û
fi?
rf _
Zebu cattle
} V
L;
*m
a
Goats and Sheep
Grade cattle
& iamels
0Jf*Tr Wool sheep
6?
/Vool sheep Zebu cattle Goats and sheep
fîr
târ
Grade cattle < ^
MAP 42
for
W
w (rvr
^?
*Hr
«?
fi?
< ^ er
*^ w 51 (j^ 51
e?
18 Km
_i i
67
District Atlas West Pokoi, 1986

68
Livestock
Livestock, owned by Kenyan herders may graze in Uganda
during certain times of the year. Ugandan pastoralists may
bring their animals into Kenya during other times. Diseases
are a major factor, causing tremendous fluctuations in
number of animals. An outbreak of Contagious Bovine
Pleura Pneumonia (CBPP) or Contagious Caprine Pleura
Pneumonia (CCPP) can literally decimate the livestock
population in certain areas, as happened in 1980. The enormous
variation in statistics about zebu cattle, local sheep and
goats is also due to lack of facilities to organize a comprehensive
livestock census.
The West Pokot District Development Plan 1979-83
estimated the number of zebu cattle in 1976 at 177 500, local
sheep at 73 500 and goats at 280 000. Figures prepared by
the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development for
the 1983-88 Development Plan give estimates of 92 030 for
zebu cattle, 66 670 for sheep and 148 700 for goats. The
Kenya Rangeland Ecological Monitoring Unit (KREMU) gave
statistics based on aerial sample counting as follows: zebu
cattle 168 908 (1977) and 53 596 (1981), goats and sheep
together 96 921 (1977) and 41 436 (1981). An extra complication
is that the KREMU census appears to have used the old
district boundaries (changed in 1970!), leaving out the whole
of Kacheliba division. On the other hand, their statistics claim
to cover 9090 square kilometers, which would again include
the whole of Kacheliba division. All in all the numerical information
about traditional livestock is far from satisfactory.
More accurate statistics are available about the number of
grade or cross breed dairy cattle and woolsheep. These
animals are only kept in the highland parts of the district,
more specifically in Mnagei, Kapenguria and Lelan locations.
Part of the milk of improved cattle breeds and all the wool
produced from woolsheep is marketed. Most of the marketed
milk is sold locally, some of it ends up at Kenya Cooperative
Creameries (KCC). All wool is sold through Muruny Farmers
Cooperative Society to the Kenya Farmers Association
(KFA). In 1983, the number of cross breed and pure bred
dairy cattle together was estimated at nearly 4 000.
Woolsheep were estimated to be about 35 000 head. Marketed
milk was estimated to be over 215 000 liters, marketed
wool about 65 000 kg. A total of nearly 40 000 hides and skins
were sold.
Of the other sorts of livestock found in West Pokot camels
vary in number over time from less then one hundred to
possibly a few thousand in other periods.
Donkeys are estimated at just over one thousand.
Poultry, to date, is important for subsistence, mainly in the
higher locations. Their total number is estimated to be
around 200 000. Only a few hundred hybrid layers were kept
for egg sales in 1983. All the other chickens are of the
indigenous type. Sales of surplus eggs and animals are
through local markets. Chepareria developed of iate a reputa-
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Areas affected by cattle rustling
MAP 41
tion as a lively poultry and egg market.
A large potential exists for honey production, although it
barely exploited. Kodich Farmers Cooperative Socie
attempts to refine and sell honey, collected in Kapchok loc
tion, with fluctuating succes. The total number of tradition
beehives in the whole district is estimated to be over 10 OX
with a potential production of at least 30 tons of refine
honey per year. Honey, available for refining and sal
increases yearly as refined sugar, soft drinks and bottled bei
replace part of the traditional use of honey for sweetenir
and brewing. i

ps in West Pokot District, 1983
AP 44
o
o
o
O
o
o A
v ?*• €
© B #
O
C
o t)
Cattle dip Sheep dip Spray race
Operational 9
Under construction f)
Not operational Q
o
O A
O
I
•
A
18 Kr
69
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

70
Livestock services and marketing
We have mentioned before that a number of diseases
threaten the health and productivity of livestock in the
district. Most important among these are Rinderpest, East
Coast Fever, Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness), Contagious
Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia, Contagious Caprine
Pleuro Pneumonia and Foot and Mouth disease. Apart from
viruses, which infect animals, tsetse flies and ticks are important
vectors of diseases.
The areas, affected by tsetse flies, the carriers of sleeping
sickness, are indicated on Map 43. Tsetse flies multiply rapidly
in warm, moist and wooded surroundings. Livestock is
therefore kept away, as much as possible, from the bush and
forests along rivers during the rains. Also treatment of
affected animals with drugs is available.
Tick born diseases, such as East Coast Fever, can be
prevented through regular dipping of livestock in a solution
of water and acaracide. Map 44 indicates that all 25 dipping
facilities, claimed to be operational in 1983, were concentrated
in the southern half of the district. More careful
analysis of a survey, carried out in 1983, shows that only a
handful of these dips functioned as required, i.e. regular dipping
with a prescribed concentration of chemicals.
Other diseases can be prevented through vaccination. Campaigns
to vaccinate all cattle against Rinderpest and Contagious
Bovine Pleura Pneumonia are organized yearly
district wide. Depending on availability of sufficient vaccine,
transport, the prevailing security situation, the availability of
grazing and water during the campaign and the assesment of
pastoralists about the seriousness of threats by these
diseases, the exercise will be more or less succesful. Returns
from the 1981/82 campaign show that 73 836 animals were
vaccinated, which was considered a good coverage.
When an outbreak of a contagious livestock disease has
been established, the District Veterinary Officer declares a
quarantaine for the affected area. During such quarantaines,
no movement of livestock is allowed into or out of the
affected areas to prevent further spread of the disease. Figure
11 summarizes the quarantaines in the period 1977-83.
Availability of livestock watering sources, through dams, is
indicated on Map 45. Similar to dips, also these facilities were
concentrated in the southern part of West Pokot. A number
of facilities require rehabilitation, while additional ones are
necessary for the underserved areas.
Livestock marketing, especially marketing of beef cattle, is
less than succesful to date in West Pokot. Several projects
Quarantaine periods, 1977-83
Division
Kapenguria
Kacheliba
Chepareria and Sigor
FIGURE 11
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Location 1977
Mnagei
Lelan
Riwa
Suam
Other locations
Keringet
Mwisho farm
m
Quarantaine because of
contagious bovine pleuro
pneumonia
Areas affected by tsetse fly
MAP 43
and programmes have been devised in the course of t
recent history to increase off-take of livestock for slaught
Reluctance by pastoralists to sell off large numbers of animi
is often quoted as the most important reason for low sale
People, depending on livestock for their subsistence and ru
ning the risk of great losses through drought, diseases
theft, may have good reasons to hold on to a considerate
number of animals. On the other hand, general insecurity
some range areas, poor organization of auctions and Ic
prices offered through the official marketing channels, <
also not stimulate trading. We suspect that most of tl
livestock sales, certainly of small stock, take place unoffici;
ly. The total number of animals, inspected after slaughter
1982 was 2 940 cattle, 2 575 goats and 438 sheep. The to
number handled through the Livestock Marketing Division
the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development w
a poor 3 217 head in 1982, of which an unknown numb
were held at Mwisho farm, to be bought by private trade
Records from the Veterinary Department for 1982 show th
only 145 movements of livestock to Kenya Meat Commisk
at Athi River were reported. Apart from Mwisho farm ar
Keringet Outspan the other holding grounds have been bar
ly used from 1978 to 1983.
78 79
•J—'—• ife:.mjjj;::!: :>•••••:«
80 81 82
i i
Quarantaine because of foot
and mouth disease
83

West Pokot District, 1983
3
©
3
3
Dams
# Operational
I Requires desilting but holding water
0 Not operational
A
Holding grounds
1 Mwisho farm
2 Keringet Outspan
3 Nasakutu
4 Sigor
5 Pkopoch
6 Kacheliba
7 Lotongot
A
3
©
3
3 ^
3 «
© 3
J
3
i
3
3
A •
3
9 18 Km
_i i
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

72
Co-operatives
The first co-operative society, registered in the district, was
Pokot Farmers' Co-operative Society in the early 1960's. Until
the mid 1970's it was the only registered society in the
district. It was affiliated with the then Sirikwa Co-operative
Union, based at Eldoret and handled mainly the marketing of
coffee. In 1983 the district had 14 co-operative societies and
one co-operative union. Membership of ten societies, which
show any activity, was 3 490.
The development of co-operative societies was stimulated in
the period 1972-7 through the Special Rural Development
Programme (SRDP) in Kapenguria division and subsequently
through the Integrated Agricultural Development Programme
(IADP). Map 46 shows that the co-operative movement is
quite strongly established in the southern parts of the district,
while it is nearly absent in the rest of West Pokot. The degree
of commercialization in different parts of the district is
obviously correlated to this distribution.
Of the fourteen societies, nine are mainly marketing agencies
for agricultural produce. The largest and most active of them
is Muruny Farmers Co-operative Society of Lelan location,
which markets pyrethrum, milk and wool. Depending on the
management of the day and the season, the activities of the
other societies vary from dormant to fairly active.
Three credit and saving societies are registered in the district,
none of them are very active. Finally, there is one consumer
co-operative society. Its members are 30 women groups in
the district. West Pokot has one co-operative union, with five
affiliated co-operative societies. This union is relatively new
and is meant to take over some functions of Pokot Farmers
Co-operative Society, which was, unofficialy, handling the
unions' functions.
Records of the co-operative department show that turnover
of agricultural produce through the co-operative societies
amounted to shs 1 642 7000 in 1982, excluding maize and
beans. The largest turnover was for wool, which grossed shs
848 800 in that year. Milk was second with shs 537 000 and
Production at tree nurseries, 1974-82
Name of tree
nursery
1 Kapenguria
(LAS)
2 Kapenguria
(RAES)
3 Kacheliba
(RAES)
4 Lomut
(RAES)
5 Lelan
(RAES)
6 Sigor
(RAES)
7 Chepnyal
(RAES)
FIGURE 12
Year of
establishment
1966
1974
1977
1980
1974
1974
1982
District Adas West Pokot, 1985
1974
mm
» mm tmt «m m*
1976
Ö Ö O a
m
MM •••-•'* »
honey third with shs 96 000 before coffee with shs 86
Gold, which is also meant to be handled through one of
two gold mining co-operative societies, showed a turnovt
only 74 400 Estimates of production indicate that the 1
value of gold mined in West Pokot in 1982, must be well i
shs 6 000 000.
Cooperative societies and
cooperative unions, 1983
MAP
a
B
m
1978
ux*** /gtid M M ..—i
B O B m
mmm
flflfl
1980
fflöflÖ
Ö Ö O f l
»
BB
BB«
m = 20 000 seedlings
flÖflÖ
Ö
1982
-1-*» • "»I ,11,.« ,¥ÄU.\
mmmm&
mm
BB
mm
m&mm
mm
LAS = Local Afforestation Scheme
RAES" Rural Afforestation Extension Schert!

orests and wildlife
ompared to most other districts in Kenya, West Pokot has
•ge forested areas. The Cherangani Hills, Sekerr Hills and
9 hills in the northern part of Kacheliba division cover tens
thousands of hectares of forested land. Only one of these
fests is gazetted to date. This is Kapkanyar/Kapsangar
rest in Leian location. Its size is 39 984 hectares. As time
3nt on, a considerable number of people moved into this
rest and started cultivating and clearing land for crops,
azing of woolsheep and dairy cattle. Presently, a proposal
being finalized to excise approximately 18 000 hectares
>m the original gazetted forest and allow cultivation there,
ie remaining forest is then to be left absolutely free from
iman habitation and cultivation,
lèverai species of indigenous highland trees can be found
the forests of West Pokot. Quite common are the follow-
(g: Podo (Pokot: Sasaito), Podocarpus gracilior. Cedar
okot: Tarokwe), Juniperusprocera, Muiri (Pokot: Tendwo),
unus africanum, Mkorombosi (Pokot: Sororwo), Hagenia
lessin/ca, Bamboo (Pokot: Techam), Arundinatia alpina.
orest areas, tree nurseries
nd game reserves, 1983
73
When population was relatively scarce in West Pokot, trees
were left alone. Small patches were cleared for cultivation,
but left to regenerate after a few years, when farmers moved
on to another plot. Forest products such as timber, honey,
roots, edible fruits, vegetables, medicines and small game
animals were used without disturbing the forest. The relationship
between a good forest cover and retention of water
was well known to the Pokot, who depended on the streams
in the highlands for their irrigation in the low valleys.
With the introduction of maize -more suitable for higher
altitudes-, increasing population, the need to grow surplus
crops for cash and to keep livestock for sale of animal products
and the increasing cash and utility value of timber and
charcoal, trees are cut at a high rate. Large areas, denuded
of natural vegetation, are now visible in West Pokot, especially
in the Cherangani Hills. Farmers in the. lowlands, depending
on irrigation, complain that their brothers in the higher
areas have interfered with the streams and that a lot less
water is available.
The County Council of Pokot and the District Development
Committee have made several attempts to have other
valuable water catchments and hilltops, apart from Kapsangar/Kapkanyar,
gazetted as forest reserves, but so far
without result.
West Pokot had only one planted forest of a reasonable size
in 1983. This is Kamatira forest, about 6 000 hectares, just
north of Kapenguria, planted in the late 1950's by prisoners
detained at Kapenguria during the independence struggle.
To increase the forest cover in the district the Forest Department
operates a number of tree nurseries. The largest is
Kapenguria. The location of forest nurseries is shown on Map
47 and the production of seedlings in Figure 12. Together
with tree nurseries operated by the Ministry of Agriculture
and Livestock Development, chief's nurseries and nurseries
operated by non-governmental agencies, total production of
seedlings in 1982 was well over one million seedlings, nearly
all of them exotic species. While this number is certainly
impressive, the rate of survival of seedlings, after planting in
the field, is less impressive. It is estimated that more than
half, and in dry years possibly as many as three quarters, of
all seedlings do not survive. Neglicence by farmers, drought,
insect damage and destruction by livestock are claimed as
the main reasons for low survival rates.
Free ranging wildlife is not very common in West Pokot.
Although most species of wildlife, occuring in the various
ecological zones of Kenya, have been spotted in the district,
it is not usual to meet large numbers of game animals while
travelling in the district.
The district has one game park. This is Nasolot National
Reserve on the boundary with Turkana District near the
Turkwel Gorge (Map 47). Nasolot National Reserve has a size
of 100 square kilometers. It was gazetted in 1979 and its
development is in the hands of the County Council of Pokot.
The Council receives a yearly Grant in Aid from the Ministry
of Tourism and Wildlife for this purpose.
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

Satellite Image Interpretation
75
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

76
Satellite image interpretation
The use of aircraft to obtain vertical photographs of the earth
has been developed into a very sophisticated activity which
produces detailed maps of the earth's surface. From this
technology it became possible to use the photograph itself as
a picture map and very accurate photo maps are known
ortho-photo-maps. In such products, positions are accurately
shown and the photograph has additional information shown
as line detail.
Since 1972 the Landsat series of earth resources orbitting
satellites have been producing views of the earth from an
altitude of some 980 kilometers. These satellites all carry a
sensor, known as a Multispectral Scanner (MSS). From the
data collected by the MSS images, large portions of the
earth's surface can be processed into photographic form.
Such a photograph can then be used to asses the earth's surface
cover over a given area. Forests may be readily
PLATE 15 Annotated photo map of West Pokot District
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985
delineated in many areas and different types of land use cs
be discriminated. The major geological and geomorpholoc
cal features of the area can be seen, together with largi
streams, major rivers and areas devoid of vegetation. In mar
regions, the satellite images contain more detailed inform,
tion than is shown on conventional maps. Although the pi«
ture is in fact a picture map, it is difficult to comprehen
unless certain features in the picture itself are identified s
that the geography of the area can be appreciated.
The image map, Plate 16, of West Pokot has been compile
in this way. Two images from the Landsat satellite, made i
January 1976, were specially processed for this colour prin
Selected point and line information such as place name;
population centres, roads and boundaries have been addec
Additional locational and descriptive information is provide
on the annotated map, Plate 15, opposite the image map
1 The forested areas of the Cherangani Hills, Sekerr Hills
Mt. Elgon, and other elevated areas are green tones o
the colour image. The riparian vegetation along th
Turkwel river in Turkana District is also green toned.
2. Clouds with associated shadows to the north west.
3 Small holder mixed farming area to the south c
Kapenguria.
4. Area of mixed small scale and large scale farms in Tran
Nzoia, ADC farms, large maize farms harvested i
December and January.
5. Extensive grass and bush fire burn scars are dark tonec
Dark brown on the photograph.
6. The very light tones are often areas of little ground cove
often due to overgrazing and subsequent soil erosion
(See also Map 16, page 29).
7 Semi-arid regions of better cover, which may be suitabl
for pastoralism.
8. Major escarpments. (See also Map 15, page 27).
9. Light toned soils and very little vegetation.
10. Site for proposed Turkwel Gorge Dam for hydro- elec
tricity.
11. Water in the Suam and Turkwel river is not visible in thi
image, but the sand and gravel deposits along the watei
way are the very light tones within the riverine vegeta
tion.
PLATE 16 Landsat image of West Poke

X
«t v
*. /
>
$ %
W
m
V ^

79
Infrastructure
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

80
introduction
The modern infrastructure of West Pokot District -roads,
telecommunication, water supplies etc.- was developed during
the last twenty years. At the time of independence, when
the status as closed district was removed, West Pokot was
a remote and barely accesible part of Kenya. The choice of
Kapenguh'a as the place of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta's trial in
1952, was mainly based on the remoteness of the district. It
was safely away from Nairobi and Central Province, where
Kenyatta's supporters and the international press might have
interfered with the proceedings of the trial.
This image of remoteness and backwardness is still in the
minds of people who do not know the district. As we will
show in this part, West Pokot in 1983 is very rapidly being
absorbed in the mainstream of Kenya's social and economic
life. If the high speed of development is maintained during
the coming years, its facilities and economy might well overtake
other so called 'developed' districts in the Republic.
In earlier parts we have shown that the colonial government
restricted itself to law and order in the years before the 1950's.
Minimal attention was given to the economic improvement
of the people in the district. A few exceptions, which were
mentioned before were the activities of Chaundy, who worked
energetically for the improvement of agriculture in the
period 1931-46. Some schools were started, but even here
most activities were undertaken by missionaries of the
Anglican and Roman Catholic churches.
In the 1950's the efforts towards economic development
accelerated with the launching of the African Land Development
Programme (ALDEV). Some of the main issues tackled
through ALDEV were the overgrazing of large parts of the
lowlands of the district and soil erosion in the agricultural
highlands. Rotational grazing -sehemu' in the vocabulary of
the pastoralists- was introduced. Dams ana other watering
points were constructed. Soil conservation measures were
enforced on the hilly shambas in the highlands. People were
encouraged to sell their surplus crops and livestock for cash.
While reports about these projects lead us to believe that the
new practices met with some success, the programmes col­
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985
lapsed towards the time of independence. It became clea
that the pastoralists found the controlled grazing something
imposed on them by the colonial government. They wen
glad to see the end of it and reverted to the old system o
land use. Also the farmers abandoned the soil conservator
measures, considering them an unnecessary burden forcée
on them by outsiders. It would take another fifteen yean
before better land use would again be considered an impor
tant issue.
The first big step towards modern economic practices ir
West Pokot was taken in the early 1970's. The credit for th«
spectacular modernization of Kapenguria division, ther
including Kipkomo and Sook locations, should go for a larg«
part to the Special Rural Development Programme. This pro
gramme, meant to be a pilot project in nine administrativ«
divisions throughout the Republic, boosted infrastructure anc
modern agriculture considerably. Land adjudication wai
started, a labour intensive road construction projec
pioneered, new crops such as pyrethrum and potatoes wen
stimulated, improved cattle breeds and animal husbandn
introduced, soil conservation practices and rotational grazing
revived etc.. Kapenguria town developed into a full fledget
district headquarters and neighbouring Makutano becam«
the economic centre of the district.
Since this time West Pokot has not looked back. Govern
ment and non-government investment in public infrastruc
ture increased year by year to a level of over 60 millior
shillings per year in 1983/84. The tarmacing of the Kitale
Lodwar road, passing through the district for over one hun
dred kilometers was completed in 1983. A new distric
hospital with 200 beds and numerous other facilities is nea
completion, new dispensaries, schools, roads, water sup
plies, cattle dips, forest nurseries are added year by year. 0
late the Kerio Valley Development Authority and the Arid am
Semi Arid Lands (ASAL) Development Programme are als«
tackling the economic development of the lowlands of th
district.
PLATE 17 Prison where Mzee Jomo Kenyatta was held during the trial
of 1953

tural Development Fund projects
rhe Rural Development Fund was introduced in the 1974/75
nancial year. Although its allocations are modest in comarison
to the total public investment in the district, it has
ome interesting aspects.
^ural Development Fund (RDF) projects are selected by the
'istrict Development Committee, from priorities forwarded
om the locations and the divisions. The projects have a self
elp contribution, thus supporting the people's own efforts
rith public funds. RDF funds were among the first public
evelopment funds in Kenya to be controlled at the district
ivel. In this way RDF has pioneered some of the procedures
tfiich are now extended for many more development proicts
under the District Focus for Rural Development.
: igure 13 and Map 48 (pages 82 and 83) summarize some
formation about RDF projects, financed in the period from
374/75 to 1982/83. The table shows that a total of shs 2 273
55 was allocated to RDF projects during this period. The
roportion of the total, which each division received, is quite
lose to its proportion of the total district population. Only
hepareria division gets nearly 32 per cent of the total allocaon
with 22 per cent of the district population. The other
ivisions received approximately 3 per cent less of the total
location than their population number would warrant.
LATE 19 Nursery for tree seedlings at Ortum, funded through Rural
development Fund
81
PLATE 18 Cattle dip at Kapkoris, funded by Rural Development Fund
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985

82
Rural Development Fund Projects 1974/75-1982/83, by location and division
Nature of project, allocation, distribution and status of implementation
Kapchok location
shs 22 000
•"Desilting of dams" .
has been divided in two projectsVpÄ,.
One of shs 22 000 in Kapchok N.

*ural Development Fund Projects in West Pokot District,!974/75-1983
r1AP48
â
• .A A
• • •
n
• L
•
Nature of Status of implementation
project
Completed Under implementation
Soil conservation/
Tree nursery ' B
Cattle dip • 4
Water supply/Dam A 1
Other +
0 9 18 Km
• 1 1
83
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

84
Water development
Clean water, in sufficient quantities within a short distance
of the homestead is a powerful stimulus for social and
economic development. It is important for the health of people,
it reduces the burden of fetching, especially for women,
and it enables economic activities to develop faster.
West Pokot District is blessed with a reasonable potential of
water resources. In the hills throughout the district, surface
water from streams and springs can be tapped. In many
cases, it is possible to use gravity to bring the water closer
to its users. Although this might call for a considerable
investment because of the distances involved, it has several
advantages. There is no need for pumping equipment, no
energy -electricity or diesel- is needed to run pumps and
breakdowns are minimal and normally easy to repair.
In the lowlands, with its seasonal streams, surface water is
not often available. Even if there are surface water sources,
such as along Suam River, development would normally cost
too much for the number of people to benefit from this
investment. Pastoralists, who need considerable amounts of
water for their livestock, therefore move their animals to the
available sources such as rivers, natural wells, riverbed wells
or dams. In order to get the most benefit from grass and
water throughout the year, the movements of the herds have
to be planned carefully. It is important to understand these
movements and their consequences when new waterpoints,
such as dams, are being developed in pastorai areas. To provide
drinking water in lowland places where people live permanently,
shallow wells or deep boreholes are often a good
solution.
A Water Resources Assesment Study, carried out by the
Ministry of Water Development in 1982 and 1983, provided an
assesment of available water resources and opportunities for
development. The area studied was restricted to West Pokot,
south of Kanyangareng river, about two thirds of the total
district area.
The total outflow of the two main rivers, Suam and Muruny,
at Kongelai and Marich respectively, was calculated to be
between 300 and 500 million cubic meter annualy. Ground­
TABLE 8 Piped watersupplies , 1983
water, available for development on a sustainable basis, wa
estimated at about 4 million cubic meter per year. Oppoi
tunities for groundwater development are in genere
restricted to hand-pumped wells. In the alluvial deposits nea
river beds shallow, hand dug or hand drilled wells will normal
ly be adequate. In other areas, boreholes to a depth of abou
60 meters, could be succesfully drilled after more detaile«
investigation. Valley bottom reservoirs and subsurface dam
are also feasible and practical solutions for the drier parts c
the district.
The first piped water supply in West Pokot was commission
ed in 1954 in Kapenguria. The intake is near the confluenc
of two small streams to the south of the township. Fror
there, water is pumped to treatment works near Kapenguri
Primary School. After treatment, the water, is pumped up t
high level storage for distribution. The machinery used fc
the supply is old and the capacity insufficient. A large par
of Kapenguria is now served from Makutano Water SuppK
commissioned in 1973. This system has more powerfi
pumps and thus a larger capacity. Diesel is used to power th
watersupplies until (cheaper) electricity has reached th
district. The allocation, which the Ministry of Water Develod
ment makes available for these supplies, is insufficient t
pump continuously. Rationing is therefore used throughoi
the year. A feasibility study has been made te replace th
Kapenguria and Makutano watersuppiies with a gravit
scheme, fed from rivers to the east of Siyoi, about eigr
kilometers from the district headquarters. This scheme wi
go a long way to provide sufficient clean and cheap water fc
the growing population of Kapenguria and Makutan«
including neighbouring areas such as Siyoi, Karas, an
Chewoyet.
By 1983, all divisional headquarters in the district had pipe
watersupplies. Chepareria and Sigor (under construction) ai
served by gravity from neighbouring streams. The intake
Kacheliba Water Supply is a well in Suam river. This la
scheme is due for some improvements, which will increaî
output.
Name Year Pumping or Length of Number of Source Funding
commissioned Gravity piping in km connections
Kapenguria 1954 P 10 300 R MoWD
Makutano 1973 P 11 220 R MoWD
Sigor 1975 G 21 50 R MoWD
Tartar 1979 P 16 70 R MoWD
Karas 1979 P b 40 R RDF
Kanyerus 1980 G 2 3 S MoH
Chepareria 1981 G 17 45 R RDF/CAR
Alale 1981 G 7 3 S AIC
Kacheliba 1982 P 9 15 w MoWD
Ta lau 1982 G 3 20 s H
Kaibichbich 1983 P 19 10 R EEC/MoW
Ort um 1983 G 4 25 R RDF
MoWD = Ministry of Water Development p = Pumping
RDF = Rural Development Fund G = Gravity
MoH = Ministry of Health R = River
EEC = European Economic Community W = Well
AIC = African Inland Church S = Spring
H = Harambee
CARE = CARE-Kenya
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

Piped watersupplies in West Pokot District, 1983
Kanyarua \
I
/
Kanyarkwat
CD
Nauyapong
1 / '
V
%^*^
EZ)
Kunyai
Under construction
Undar conatructlon
-- Limits of water supply
- Distribution line
O Watertank
• Water pumping station
^ — Rising main or gravity main
r 1 " 1 Gravity intake
[77] Proposed schemes
Distribution network
not to scale
CD
18 Km
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

86
Boreholes in West Pokot District, 1983
MAP 50
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
v • Operational borehole fitted with handpump
K
© ©
•$
©
#
$ Dry borehole 01 destroyed borehole
© Borehole to be drilled before March 1984
©
©
©

Water development
All piped water supplies, existing or under construction in
1983, are shown in Map 49 and information about each of
them appears in Table 8. All supplies together serve not more
than 15 to 20 per cent of the district population. However, if
we take into consideration that only one water supply existed
at the time of independence and that in the meantime the
population of the district has more than doubled, than this
is not a bad performance. Moreover several new water supply
schemes are at various stages of consideration and planning.
We have said above, that shallow wells and deep boreholes
are important sources of drinking water in the lower, drier and
more sparsely populated rangeland of West Pokot. Another
source of water in these areas are wells in riverbeds. The sand
n seasonal streambeds stores considerable amounts of
k/vater. By digging down in the sand, water can be reached.
Even in driest periods, water is found in the major
3 LAT E 21 Kitale to Lodwar
Al trunk road, descending north of
Kapenguria
continued from page
naintenance of classified roads is based on four Roads Main-
:enance Camps (Kapenguria, Mtembur, Kogelai and Sigor).
z rom these camps, permanent staff of the Ministry of Trans-
Dort and Communications maintains neighbouring sections
?f classified roads with the use of mechanized graders and
87
streambeds, although one has to dig down a few meters.
About thirty boreholes were drilled in the present Kacheliba
division in 1952 and 1953. The United Nations Children and
Educational Fund (UNICEF) carried out this programme on
behalf of the Uganda Government, who administered the
area until 1970. The boreholes were fitted with the so-called
Uganda Hand Pump. Some of the original pumps are still in
use; others are replaced by an improved version of the same
pump. In 1981 and 1982 a number of these boreholes which
had broken down, were cleaned and rehabilitated and new
ones drilled. By the end of 1983 the district had 54 operational
boreholes while another ten or so were to be drilled
before the end of 1984. At the same time, plans are under
way to set up a Maintenance Unit at Kacheliba to carry out
maintenance and repairs of these water supplies.
PLATE 20 Borehole with hand pump
at Natemeri
other machinery- Frequent breakdowns of equipment, low
allocation for fuel etc. however prevent proper maintenance.
In general, the rural access roads, maintained with hand tools
only are in a better state of repair than the grader maintained
classified roads in the district.
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

88
Roads in West Pokot District, 1983
MAP 51
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985
(
Tarmac road
1* fr ——^— ^—— Other Motorable Road
\jAlale
)
/
I
l
\ ^
Murkwijit
f-
V
-J
*/
^
Kasei
KapsaitA
\
\
Nasolot^^q
Amolem
18 Km

toads
Motorable roads, passable by ordinary small vehicles througlout
the year, contribute to the social and economic developnent
of a district. The road network of West Pokot in 1983
/vas not of this standard yet. A number of locations, most
notably Sook and Mwino, have only one road reaching their
chiefs camp from the outside. The interiors of these locaties
can only be reached on foot. In some other parts, roads
jre not passable during heavy rains and are few and far between.
The mountainous nature of the terrain in large sections
)f the district and the relatively sparse population, make road
ievelopment difficult, technically as well as economically.
Nevertheless, the road network of West Pokot was extended
md improved considerably since independence. New roads,
nainly through the Rural Access Roads Programme (RARP),
ire still opened year by year, existing roads are improved,
>ridges and culverts inserted etc..
Before the beginning of this century, no roads existed in
West Pokot District. People moved along tracks through the
)lains and the hills. Loads were carried on the head or on the
>ack; sometimes donkeys were used. Traffic of goods was
ittle anyway. Journals from 19th century travellers describe
îunting expeditions as the only contact between West Pokot
md the outside world, besides small scale trading and occational
cattle rustling with neighbours. The hunting expedities
of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries
beared most of the large game, which roamed the plains in
jreat numbers. Also neighbouring areas of Karamoja and
îouth Turkana had their game population depleted by huning
caravans.
The first colonial administrators also moved in caravans, with
jroups of porters and askaris. The first routes in West Pokot,
ater converted into more permanent tracks, led from Baringo
'ia the Kerio Valley and followed approximately the alignment
)f the B4 road on Map 51, turning north towards Lotongot
'ia the present D 346 road. When the government post
noved to Wakor in 1913, tracks developed towards the centre
»f the present district. The next move to Kacheliba in 1915
gave rise to a track from Ortum due west through Chepko-
Degh and Chesira to Kongelai opposite Kacheliba on the
Suam river. One section of this track, from Ortum to Chepkojegh
still appears on Survey of Kenya maps but is overgrown
jnd unused. Generally, even the most recent Survey of

90
Road distances in West Pokot District, 1983
Kanyerus
MAP 52
to Lorugumu
to Kitale
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
to Kitale
Kapsait
_» Distance in kilometres
=^ Bridge*
O Other major rivercrossing'
o Town
'Not all bridges and other nvercrossmgs
are shown

Public transport
The main means of public transport in West Pokot District
is the matatu. The results of a survey carried out in
November 1983 to establish the frequency of services and the
rates are presented in Map 53 and Figure 14. The data are
averages, counted during the month of November 1983. The
matatu business is very competitive and responds
immediately to increased demand. It is therefore likely that
the density of services will increase with the growing commercialization
of the district. The fares vary all the time,
depending on business available and also the cost of
operating the vehicles.
Apart from matatus, three bus services operated from and
to Kapenguria in 1983. Akamba Bus Services and OTC had
daily services to Nairobi. Mawingo operated a daily service to
Kakamega and Kisumu.
The nearest railway station, only accepting freight, is at
Kitale. The nearest airfield, from where public services depart
is also at Kitale. Air Kenya operated five return flights per
week between Kitale and Nairobi in 1983.
Frequency of matatu service per day, 1983
Keiyo farm
MAP 53
to Kitale
to Kitale
91
Matatu price schedule, November 1983
Chepareria
22 Kacheiiba
© 65 Kainuk
© 12 @ Kapenguria
38 40 63 © Kapsangar
18 16 41 8 36 Keringet
@ 23 @©43 18 Kitale
42 @ 65 32 60 36 43 Kunyao
© © © © © © © © Makutano
© 35 © 25 55 31 © 55 @ Marien
© 30 © 20 60 26 © 50 © © Ortum
© 40 © 30 50 36 60 43 @ ® © Sigor
16 14 37 © @ 10 17 34 © @ © ©Siyoi
FIGURE 14
Frequency in both directions
per day
irregular (marketdays)
1- 4
•••••• * 5—14
J 15—24
25 and more
to Lodwar
20 Price in shs.
© Direct connection
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

92
Miscellaneous services
Police
The whole of West Pokot is one Police Division with headquarters
at Kapenguria. Kapenguria presently has the only
police station in the district. Plans are underway to create a
second police station at Kacheliba. In 1983 the district had
eight police posts and five patrol bases.
A considerable part of police work in West Pokot is related
to cattle rustling, which occurs in the rangelands of the
district, especially in the boundary areas with Uganda in
Kacheliba division and. the boundary with Turkana district in
Sekerr and Masol locations. Apart from Kenya Police, others
involved in the combat of cattle rustling are the Administration
Police, General Service Unit and in exceptional circumstances,
units of the Kenya Army.
Postal services and telephone
The district has one full post office, where all postal services
are offered. This is Kapenguria Post office, upgraded in 1978
to this status. It has its premises at Makutano Trading Centre.
One sub-post office at Sigor offers postal services, savings,
bank and postal orders, while the others offer only postal
orders apart from postal services. For a few years, a sub-post
office has been operational at Lomut. It is planned to reinstall
service there. New sub-post offices are also planned for
Kongelai and Kaibichbich.
Telephone services are available only in Makutano and
Kapenguria and their immediate surroundings. The two centres
together had three public call boxes and 51 subscribers
at the end of 1983. The present telephone exchange is based
at the District Commisioner's office at Kapenguria. It is to be
transferred to Makutano in 1985. The quality of telephone
services will improve considerably when the North West
Kenya Communication Project is fully operational. Through
this project, a chain of microwave stations is constructed to
link Turkana District and West Pokot with Kitale. For the time
being, the chain stretches from Kitale to Lokitaung in Turkana
with a branchline from Lodwar to Lokichogio, altogether 18
stations. It is meant to join similar chains in Sudan and
Ethiopia. The microwave chain carries 120 communication
channels. The station at Makutano beams directly to Kitale,
doing away with the need for cables between the new
exchange and Kitale exchange. With the planned introduction
of Self Trunk Dialling (STD) services in Kitale, telephone
connections from Kapenguria to the rest of the world should
improve considerably.
Airstrips
West Pokot District had four operational airstrips in 1983.
None of these was used for scheduled air services. The
nearest airfield from where scheduled flights depart, is Kitale.
Marich airstrip has been used quite extensively during the
construction of the A1 tarmac road from Kitale to Lodwar. It
also serves movements of people involved in Kerio Valley
Development Authority projects at Sigor and Turkwel Gorge
areas. The other airstrips are not much used. Flying Doctor
Service, Police Airwing and missionary organizations are the
most common users.
Other services
Barclays Bank operates a sub-branch office from Kitale at
Makutano three mornings per week. Plans are under way to
establish a full branch of the Kenya Commercial Bank, also
at Makutano.
Apart from government departments, having their own
storage tanks, there is only one petrol station in the district.
It is at Makutano.
District Atlas West Pokol, 1985
Mains electricity has not reached West Pokot. Together with
Tana River District, West Pokot is the only district in the
Republic where electricity has not reached the District Headquarters.
Plans to extend the national grid from Kitale to
Kapenguria exist for a number of years. Some institutions,
such as Kapenguria hospital, boarding schools, mission stations
etc. operate their own diesel powered generators.
Ironically, West Pokot has great potential for hydro power
generated electricity. Turkwel Gorge, in the north east of the
district on the boundary with Turkana, has a capacity to
generate 120 megawatt. This amounts to 22 per cent of the
total electricity generated in Kenya during 1982. The Kerio
Valley Development Authority is charged with the development
of this potential. The construction of a reservoir and
electricity generating plant is planned for the late 1980's, after
exhaustion of hydro potential in the Tana River. The planned
investment is estimated at shs 2 000 million. It involves the
construction of a dam of 490 meters length, across the gorge,
to a height of 84 meters above the riverbed. The storage
reservoir behind this dam will stretch upstream all the way to
the neighbourhood of Nakujit and Kunyao. Apart from this
major national project at Turkwel Gorge, potential for mini
hydro electric plants has been established at several sites in
the Cherangani Hills.
PLATE 22 Microwave relay station, north of Kapenguria on Mnage
Hill

Miscellaneous services in West Pokot District, 1982
vlAP 54
©
£
©
©
O 4-
©
fi
o ~B à
3*
O
û
# Police station
O Police post
CS Police base
a
i
Police post proposed
Post office (all services)
Sub post office (savings, bank and postal orders)
Sub post office (postal orders only)
Airstrips
1 under construction
2 maintained by M.O.T.C.
3 maintained by M.O.T.C
4 maintained by R.C Church
5 maintained by A.I.C.
Microwave station
Area in which telephone service is
available
Petrol station
Bank
18 Km
93
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

94
Business premises
The commercial life of West Pokot is dominated by the
southern part of the district, including Chepareria town.
More than half of all licensed business premises in the district
are concentrated within a radius of less than 20 kilometer by
road from Kapenguria, or less than one seventh of the total
area of the district. The largest number of licensed
businesses are to be found at Makutano (99), second is
Chepareria-(78) and the third largest number is at Kapenguria
(66). Eighteen centres have only one or two licensed business
premises.
A shift towards the more remote areas is however noticeable.
The completion of the tarmac road from Kitale via Makutano,
Chepareria and Ortum towards Lodwar in Turkana, assisted
greatly in the economic development of the central part of
the district. Especially in Chepareria and Ortum new shops
were established at a high pace.
Manufacturing is still relatively unimportant in the district
economy. It is restricted to small scale workshops, producing
timber and metal products for local sales.
Markets correspond with the general picture sketched above.
The County Council of Pokot operates one permanent
market building at Makutano. Other daily markets with
makeshift or open air stalls are held at Kapenguria, and Siyoi.
Major weekly markets are held at Chepareria (Thursday),
Ortum (Wednesday), Sebit (Friday), Chepkobegh (Tuesday),
Sigor (Thursday), Lomut (Saturday), Chesegon (Wednesday
and Sunday), Tamkal (Tuesday), Kanyarkwat (Thursday and
Sunday) and Kapsait (Friday).
TABLE 9 Licensed business premises in West Pokot District, 1982
Number Center Shop Hotel Bar Posho Butcher Boarding Whole Other Total
on map Kiosk mill Lodging sale
Kapenguria 34 20 2 2 4 4 66
2 Bendera 3 2 1 6
3 Kamatira 2 1 3
4 Paraywa 1 1 2
5 Siyol 16 7 3 4 2 32
6 Kaibos 3 1 2 1 7
Chorok 5 1 1 1 B
8 Chepyomut 2 1 1 1 1 6
KAPENGURIA LOCATION 66 33 3 10 11 7 130
9 Makutano 43 16 5 5 S 4 8 10 99
10 Kishaunet 6 1 7
Kapkoris 1 1 2
12 Murkwijit 10 3 •• 1 3 1 22
13 Kennget 10 7 2 2 2 23
14 Tatar 2 2
15 Serewa 2 2
16 Mtembur 2 2
MNAGEI LOCATION 74 26 11 9 14 4 8 13 159
17 Kongelai 4 2 6
18 Kanyarkwat 2 2
RIWA LOCATION
19 Chepkono
20 Kaibichbich
6
6
3
2
4
1
1
1 '-- 1
8
10
9
21 Kapsait 1 1 2
22 Kapsangar 1 1
LELAN LOCATION li 5 2 1 3 22
KAPENGURIA DIVISION 157 66 16 20 28 4 8 20 319
23 Chepareria 19 51 2 2 4 78
24 Kapchemogem 1 1 2
25 Chepkopegh 1 1
KIPKOMO LOCATION
26 Onum
21
3
51
6
2
2
i
1
4
6 1 1
B1
26
27 Sebit 3 2 1 6
28 Morobus 1 i
BATEI LOCATION
29 Chepnyal
13
2
8 2 1 7
1
1
•
33
3
30 Tamugh 2 2
SOOK LOCATION 4 1 5
CHEPARERIA DIVISION 38 59 4 4 12 1 1 119
31 Sigor 5 2 . • I3
32 Wakor 1 1 2
33 Chepkoghm 1 1
WEIWEI LOCATION
34 Lomut
LOMUT LOCATION
MWINO LOCATION
7
2
2
3 2 3
1 3
3t> Cnesegon
CHEPTULEL LOCATION
2
1 1
1
1 ' -
5
5
36 Amolem B 9
MASOL LOCATION B 9
37 Manch 2 3 1 7
38 Sermach 1 1
SEKERR LOCATION 3 3 1 1 B
SIGOR DIVISION 22 6 4 1 7 - -
40
39 Kacheliba (3 - 2 • 4 28
SUAM LOCATION 13 a - 1 4 28
40 Kodich 4 4
41
42
Kunyao
Losam
7 2 •
10
3
43 Nakwijit
KAPCHOK LOCATION
KASEI LOCATION
12 '
2 1
1
14
44 Kimpur 1 1
CHEMERONGIT LOCATION 1 1
45 Alale 2 2
46 Amakunet
47 Nauyapong
ALALE LOCATION
5
: 9
5
2
'j
KACHELIBA DIVISION 26 to 3 4 4 47
TOTAL WEST POKOT 243 141 27 29 51 5 8 21 526
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Based on licenses issued by County Council of Poko

icensed business premises in West Pokot District, 1982
J 8
•47
• 45
# 39
.41
»40
• 16
-42
.25
.15 ^ .24
_k 9
.30
,28
•# u • 7 •
L29
20
9
#27
.21
33
.32
•22
Number of licensed
business premises per centre
• 1 or 2
• 3 — 12
ft 13 — 35
38
#37
More than 35
131
,36
134
,35
0 9 18 Km
i 1 i
95
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

96
Newspapers
Nearly one thousand newspapers were sold daily in West
Pokot, when a survey was carried out in November 1983. They
were normally available form 9 a.m. onwards in Makutano and
reached their furthest point of distribution, Kacheliba, by noon.
The Nation was the most popular of all newspapers, with half of
the total sales. Apartfrom newspapers, all magazines published
in Kenya, are normally available in Makutano. Also some international
magazines such as Time and Newsweek are sold in
Makutano.
Daily newspaper sales,
November 1983
MAP 56
Daily newspaper sales in West Pokot District, November 1983
Place and approximate
time of arrival
Makutano 9.00 pm
Kapenguria 9.30 pm
Kesegon 9.30 pm
Ortum 11.30 pm
Kacheliba 12.00 pm
FIGURE 15
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Nation
Kenya Times Standard Kenya Leo
Vf?'
O Kacheliba
O Kesegon via Makutano
\_) Ortum
18 km
Kapenguna
Makutano
Taifa Leo
Number of newspapers
^
5
& 25
6?
50

'own centres
laps 57 to 60 (pages 98 to 101) depict the physical developed
plans of Makutano and Kapenguria and the 1983 situa-
>n of the commercial areas of both centres,
lese two main centres in West Pokot District are quite difrent
in character. Kapenguria is an administrative town,
[uated on a ridge with views towards Mount Elgon to the
luth west and the Cherangani Hills to the north east. The
wn was established in 1928, when the colonial government
oved the district headquarters from Kacheliba to its present
;e. Under colonial rule, Kapenguria was reserved for the
iropean administration and few government institutions
ich as a school, a hospital and a prison. The commercial life
the district developed near the junction of roads, leading
Kitale to the south west, Kacheliba and Uganda to the
»rth west and Kapenguria, Lelan and south Turkana to the
irth east. Early commercial life in Makutano, as this junc-
»n was called, was dominated by a few traders of Asian and
>mali origin.
he difference in character between the two places is still
ticeable today, although both Kapenguria and Makutano
ve expanded beyond recognition. The total number of
iidents counted during the 1979 Census was 2 752 and 2
for Kapenguria and Makutano respectively. We suspect
at the population of both townships was
derenumerated. Also the enumeration area was restricted
the immediate centres of the two towns, not counting
ople in sub-urban areas as residents. A third reason why
suspect that the actual number of residents was higher,
the date of the census. The actual counting took place in
igust 1979, during the school holidays. The total populan
of three boarding schools (Kapenguria Primary,
^ewoyet and Nasokol) in the immediate surrounding of
penguria and Makutano would add another 850 to the
mber of residents.
ince 1979 the number of residents of the two towns has
)wn steadily with not less than 6 to 8 per cent yearly. We
timate that the total number of residents of the two
wnships together was not less than 9 000 in 1983. In this
:imate we have included residents of the immediate surjndings
of both centres and the area between Makutano
d Kapenguria, which is rapidly filling up.
move to convert the two townships Kapenguria and
^kutano into one urban centre, was initiated by the County
uncil of Pokot. Although the new status was not gazetted
1983 it is expected that this will happen shortly. The prehrt
areas of Chewoyet, Bendera and the land between
ATE 23 Makutano Township
97
Bendera and Makutano will be included within the proposed
boundaries of the new town. The total area of the new town
council will be 57 square kilometers.
The two physical development plans, depicted on Maps 59
and 60 (pages 100 and 101) will then be obsolete. In fact, the
two plans were already of questionable value in 1983. They
were compiled in 1975, when the growth of Kapenguria and
Makutano was not foreseen to the extent it takes place these
days. The plans also seem to have been put together before
enough detailed survey was carried out in the townships.
Proposed roads are drawn crossing several contours. If such
roads would be constructed only vehicles with very strong
engines would be able to climb them!
We see that the physical development of both townships has
taken place rather haphazardly so far. The County Council of
Pokot, which is the controlling agency for such development,
does not have the manpower and resources, as yet, to keep
construction of new houses, offices and shops within planned
limits. The serious shortage of houses for civil servants
and other persons, working in the town, has given rise to
mushrooming of semi-permanent rental rooms, sometimes in
the most unlikely places.
As far as public services is concerned, Kapenguria and
Makutano still lack a number of facilities, which are provided
in the older established towns. As yet, no sewage system
exists, no buspark, permanent slaughter house, refuse collection
or fire fighting services are provided. Nevertheless, the
construction of permanent buildings of good quality, is taking
place at a growing pace. So far availability of space, has
not necessitated multi-storey buildings. Unavoidably, these
will also start appearing before the turn of the century.
The variety and quantity of business premises in the two
townships is shown on Maps 57 and 58 (pages 98 and 99).
Makutano is clearly the most important centre in the district
in this respect. Quite a number of businesses, established in
Makutano, serve the whole of West Pokot. This is true for
wholesalers, bank, petrol station, photographic studio,
bookshop and newspaper distribution. Makutano is also the
hub of public transport within the district, and from West
Pokot to other parts of the country. In contrast, the shops
and business in the Kapenguria commercial centre (Ramaget),
only serve the local residents and perhaps customers
from nearby villages within walking distance. It also seems
most likely that, if industry is to develop in West Pokot,
Makutano will be the best site, especially after electricity has
reached the district.
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

98
Makutano commercial area, 1983
LO
masasBHïiw s a°
Î
MAP 57
N
35 m
....
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
a f a
••
• •
•
•
• •
• .
f
e
b
n
a
d J
D E3
Market
• ••
•
!
II
b o £ J_
( - oV
b
/
ƒ
f
a
a
&
i
k
c
f
e
k
J
k
a b •
P
a
a e
a
a
u
f 3
a
b
<
f «
e
a * •
a $
a
a I
£.
b
_3-
.a
b
-2a
J_
h \
g .
a
m
G .
°fflaD
J J
U Post office
~1 under construction
I 'i\ #1
Makutano primary school
Ü

Capenguria (Ramaget) commercial area, 1983
Under construction/Closed
Shop (selling many things!
General Store (same as b but biggerl
Bakery
Butchery
Butcnery ^\
Hotel/Bar/Restaurant/Lodging/Nightclub \à\
Shoeshop
Laundry
Carpentry
Bicycle repair
Hardware
Photo/Music studio
Bookshop
Barber
Tailor
Whole sale
Kiosk
Garage
Posho mill
Office
Dispensary
Church
Open air business
IAP58
99
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

100
Physical plan of Kapenguria
MAP 59
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985
Tarmac road
Road not tarmaced
Proposed road
Stream
Boundary between types of landuse
or proposed types of landuse
Built up areas
Proposed type of landuse
Re Residential
I Industrial
E Educational
R Recreational
Pp Public purposes
Pf Publicfacilities
T Transportation
C Commercial
D Deferred
Source: Physical Planning Decartment. Nairobi. 197

Physical plan of Makutano
225 m
1AP 60 Source: Physical Planning Department. Nairobi, 1979
Tarmac road
Major road
Minor road or proposed road
101
Boundary between types of landuse
or proposed types of landuse
Built up areas
I I proposed type of landuse
Re Residential
I Industrial
E Educational
R Recreational
Pp Public purposes
Pf Public facilities
T Transportation
C Commercial
D Deferred
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

102
Service level by location
Map 61 on page 103 is an attempt to summarize the sen/ice
level by location in 1983. Sen/ices are provided by the government,
church agencies and the private sector.
The map is based on a point system. An agreed number of
points was given for each kind of service. The total is added
and gives the number of service points for that location,
represented by circles of different sizes in the map. The
shading within each circle indicates the proportion of services
in that location, offered by either government, mission or
private sector. An exercise such as this is of course not
foolproof. An element of subjective judgment is involved
when points are awarded, the value of each service being a
matter of interpretation. The following services were taken
into consideration:
- Government administration services: district headquarters,
divisional headquarters, chiefs, assistant chiefs.
- Security services: police station, police posts, General
Service Unit (GSU) camp, prison.
- Roads: tarmac road, classified motorable road, Rural
Acces Road, Road Maintenance Camp.
- Education: number of teachers at primary schools, secondary
schools, village polytechnics, special schools, adult
education centres.
- Water supplies: piped water supply, boreholes.
- Veterinary services: cattle dip, spray races.
- Health care facilities: hospitals, health centres, dispensaries,
mobile clinics.
- Commercial activities: shops, hotels, bars, butcheries, etc.
as per County Council licenses in 1982.
- Public transport: matatu, bus.
- Markets: daily, weekly.
- Women groups.
- Co-operatives.
- Churches: major mission station, church.
- Post office.
- Airfield.
- Tree nursery.
A total of 3430 service points was distributed to all services
in the district. Of this total, 45 per cent were services provided
by the government, 28 per cent through the churches and
27 per cent by the private sector.
Map 61 shows that Kapenguria and Mnagei location exceed
all other locations in services provided. In fact, services provided
in each of these two locations are at least twice those
PLATE 24 Ortum Mission Hospital
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
in any other location. The largest difference is betweer
Mnagei location (625 points) and Chemerongit (34 servie«
points).
More relevant to judge the level of services in West Poko
District are the number of service points by location, in rela
tion to its number of inhabitants. For the whole of Wes
Pokot District, a ratio of 20 service points per one thousant
people was calculated. Of all 18 locations in the district, 1
are within a range of 18-22 points per one thousam
inhabitants. Exceeding the average service level ar
Kapenguria location (30 points) and Mnagei location (2J
points). Lower scores than the average 18-22 points per thoü
sand people were calculated for Riwa (13 points), Sook (1
points), Lomut (15 points), Alale (10 points) and Chemerong
(5 points).
We have indicated above that the government is responsibl
for nearly half of all services provided in West Pokot. Mis
sions and private sector make up just over one quarter each
The ratio between the three is different for the various locé
tions. In six locations services, provided by government, cor
stitute more than half of the total. In all other location:
except two, government is at least the largest provider of se
vices. One exceptional location in this respect is M nage
where the private sector provides 39 per cent of the service:
the government 35 per cent, the remaining 26 per cent pr<
vided by church agencies. The other unusual location
Kasei, where church agencies are resonsible for 56 per ceil
of the total, government for 43 per cent and the private set
tor for just over 1 per cent only.
As a conclusion for this section, we may state that in generl
the service level throughout West Pokot is surprisingly litt
biased, considering the large differences in potential ar
socio-economic development within the district. Five ser
arid locations -Chemerongit, Alale, Riwa, Sook and Lomi
have a significantly lower level of services than the rest of tl
district. Kapenguria and Mnagei, on the other hand, offer
significantly higher level.
A second conclusion may be that the public sector, whi

Services provided by government, mission and private sector in West Pokot
district, by location, 1983
IAP61
Alale
Kapchok
Mnage
Chemerongit
Kasei
Kapenguria
Sook
Lelan
Number of service points
Provision of services
_ 351-650
_ 201-350
101-200
61-100
30- 60
Government Mission
Sekerr
Private
Masol
Lomut
Cheptulel
• •
18 Km
_J
103
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

105
Social Development
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

106
Primary education
Introduction
Formal education in West Pokot District started in 1928. In
that year a government primary school was opened in Kacheliba.
It was transferred, together with the district headquarters
to Kapenguria in the following year. The first teacher
employed by the government was Waita wa Kituto.
Lessons were conducted in Kiswahili and the daily schedule
looked as follows:
7.00- 8.00 am
9.00-10.00 am
10.00-11.00 am
11.00-11.30 am
4.00- 5.00 pm
5.00- 6.00 pm
Physical excercises
Reading
Reading of books by teacher
Cleaning of quarters
Football
Boxing
Missionary organizations contributed much to the development
of education in the district. Even today most schools
are sponsored by the churches.
Primary schools, 1966-83
MAP 62a
Primary schools
The first mission to enter West Pokot was the Bible Churchman's
Missionary Society (BCMS), the predecessor of the
Church of the Province of Kenya (CPK). BCMS started a mission
school in Kacheliba in 1931. The first missionaries were
Rev. and Mrs. Totty. Their names are still well known throughout
the district. The BCMS station and school moved tc
Nasokol, close to Kapenguria, in 1936. BCMS also opened sc
called 'outschools' in Tamkal and Sigor.
The second Christian mission in West Pokot was the Roman
Catholic Church. Their first school opened at Tartar, 8 kilometers
from Kapenguria, in 1942. In 1956 the Catholics moved
their main station to Ortum where a school and a hospita
were founded. Of the eight new schools opened in the disn
trict between 1950 and 1960 six were run by the Catholic
Church.
In 1963 the following schools were operating in the district
22 primary schools up to standard 4 or lower
1 intermediate school (standard 5-7)
5 full primary schools
1 secondary school
1966 1979 1983
Maps 62a-c show how the number and the distribution of
schools developed rapidly after independence. Particularly
after 1979, the increase in the number of primary schools is
spectacular. From 80 schools in 1979 the number rose to 159
in 1980, to 179 in 1981 and to 202 in 1982. It is only during
these last few years that primary education outside the direct
surroundings of Kapenguria is starting to catch up with the
rest of Kenya.
The rapid rise in the number of new primary schools is summarized
in Figure 16. The breakdown by division shows that
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
MAP 62c
18 ki
the prominent position of Kapenguria division has diminishe
from 1979 onwards. Because so many schools started recen
ly, we see that more than half go only up to standard 3 i
1982. In Kacheliba division less than a third of all primai
schools taught beyond standard 3 in 1982.
It is also necessary to keep in mind that when a new schol
has opened this does not mean that classes are full from tl
beginning. Even if a reasonable number of children are enr(
led at the start of the year, the number per class may dr<
to five or six in some cases.

3ri rimary education
Slumber of primary schools by division, 1966-82
Schools
Kapenguria
3CU
: ^
20-j
10J
0« KSÄ
0 j ^4^(S^^1 ^
oj
20J
lOJ
IGURE 16
1
1
^
0 : ^ N ^ ^
Sigor
^
cssrns^^
Chepareria
ESàsS:
É» E^*^
jsssfSiS
Kacheliba
_ES^
Standard 1, 1-2. 1-3
f???£ $É|
KWtxVV^ Standard 1-7.4-7
1966 76 79 82 1966 76 79 82 1966 76 79 82 1966 76 79 82
Education is something new in many parts of West Pokot
District. Many parents, as yet, do not see the use of it. They
often need their children to look after livestock. Also cattle
rustling, which disturbs the peace in some parts of the district,
makes people leave certain areas, after which schools
close down.
PLATE 25 Primary school under
construction at Chepkopegh
^
Standard 1-4. 1-5
H^.^M Standard 1-6
107
The rapid increase in numbers has also caused a shortage
of trained teachers. Many of the new schools lack basic facilities
such as classrooms, water, sanitation and teachers houses.
District Atlas West Pokot. 1985

108
TABLE 10 Primary schools in West Pokot District, 1983
Numb«! Name of the school
i
I •
-1
i •
6 •
•
7 • •
8 Paraywa
9 Kaprech
10 Siyoi
Kaibos
12 • •
13 •
.
•
IS Cheptuya
Makutano
\asûko.
•
Kam.tü
Lokumo
Nstateng
Miemour
Se.ewö
Tampaiai
Ngoleyo
Bp»
Kangeiivwan
Cheniaiiin
Chepkono
Kapkanvar
Cnafö"
Kalotwar
Kaibichb.cn
Ringring
»Capsöti
KaptabuK
Kspsangar
• •
Potowo
Tapach
Prop
K torn won y
Mukevon
S.rno:Ao
Cheparten
Kapkunyuk
Tangssia
Kode, ga
Kerenger
Kanyarkwai
Cfieptuiymei
Kreswo
Chepkemet
Morolome
Kitalakapel
Adufkoi!
Konyanga
Pooie
Simotvya
Kongelai
Nachecheyai
. .. 'Tomen
Wak or
0 noch
Yawyavy
Sangai
ipeeï
Piokou
Sigor
Chepsetum
Paroo
To-skino
•. - «votendwi
Sondaoy
Tororo
Nyarkulian
Kaie
Soiion
Enaow
Tamkai
Takar
Parkino
Chesta
Chemutioko.yo
Kokvyontit
Otiot
Maros
• • •
Sekerot
Lomut
Kokwomeses
Arpolo
An net
Chesegon
Ptirap
Akariamet
LOKarkar
Amolem
Marien
Sostin
Mbara
Temow
Sengelei
Orwa
Chepîen
Chepkondoi
Ngoyomwo
Siflp
Sarmacri
Tota. Sigo» Division
•
DEB
Kapenguna DEB Da«
Kaoenguria DES
Kapenguna PEFA Day
Kapenguna DES
•
•
•
PK
Kapenguna
Kapenguna
Day
Kapenguna DEB Dat
Kapenquna
Kapenguna
DEB
Kapenguna - c _d.
Mnage. •
•'•
Day
J„»
.,.,.
Mnage. RC Da«
Mnage. RC S & D
Mnage. CPK Day
Mnage. 8 & D
Mnage.
Da«
.'.' ..
...
• Dat
• " - •
v age FH Dat
M ige :PK
Mnagei ..o.
Vlnage. RC Dat
Mnage. CPK Day
M tage CPK Day
OEB Dat
Mnage. RC 3d,
Leian RC 3...
.
Leian
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
: - N Dat
„o,
RC
-
-:•
„d,
RC Day
ü Day
Day
B & D
Leian RC
Leian AIC
Leian RC Day
Leian RC Day
Leian RC D ly
Leian RC
Man RC Day
Leian RC Day
Leian RC
Lelai
RC
RC 3d,
Leian RC Day
Laten RC Dat
- a RC
a,»va Dat
R.wa PH „o.
Riwa SPK Dat
R.wa AIC Ld.
Riwa FH Dat
Riwa ACCK Dat
Riwa
FH
R.wa RC Day
R
Day
Riwa FH Day
-
FH Day
R ta RG Day
Riwa Fh Day
Riwa RC Tempo
-
I 3
3
4
27!
487
463
349
199
::*
107
69
278
124
556
28S
; 70
r
67
54
24S
21!
32
-
259
4«
161
66
197
.--
299
618
458
221
Tom No of
pupil» lea
che't
272 8
957 25
son f
•
ig
39
338
ne
522
623
y
48
100
266
2 13
489
3 -'ri 3
3G1 M
n, . •
!47
171 9 -.
Sponso r Day Classe» Ne No ot No o< Total No ot
Boarding B Boys Girls pupils tea
Weiwe. RC Day
Weiwe.
Weiwe.
Wei»ve.
Weiwe.
RC
CPK
JPK
:PK
Day
Day
Day
Dat
1 3
: 3
1 7
i 3
We.we. RC Day 1-6
Weiwe. DEB -^dV ; ?
Weiwe. RC Od, : 2
Mwmo RCEA Day ' 6
Myvmo CPK Cd, 1 2
Mwmo CPK 3a« 1 7
Mwmo RCEA 3.-,, 1-3
Mwmo RCEA Day 1 3
Mwmo DEB Day 1-3
Mwino
Mwmo
CPK day
day
M
1 2
.:.-.
. . : • _ Day 2
Mwmo PI Day 1 7
Mwmo ;PK Day 3
Lomul
Lomut
Lomut
RC
unh
UltJ
Day
Board
Day
l-S
1-5
1-3
Lomut RC Day 4
Lomut DEB Day 1-6
Lomut RC day
3C 1-3
Lomut RCEA -a. M
Lomut RC day 1-7
Cheptuiei RC 3a, ' 3
Cheptuiel RC 3av 1 7
Cheptuiei RC Ja. 1-6
Cheptuiel CPK Day 1-7
Cheptuiei RC 3a. 1 3
Masol RCEA Day Temporarily
Masoi RCEA •3 a. 1 5
Masoi RCEA Ja. 1 7
Sekerr RC 3av i 7
Sekerr UM* Day 1 3
Sekerr RC Day 1-4
Sekerr Unti Day • 3
Sekerr Lutti Day 3
Sekerr DEB Day 1-4
Sekerr RCEA Day ' 3
Sekerr RC -•a« 1-4
Saken With Day 13
Sekerr RCEA 3a» 1 3
Sekerr RCEA Day ; 3
206
53
205
"9
31
31
29
'401 16575 492
307
452
167
BS
9
J
:
Numbor Name o' the
:
Che'omooi
i Cheparena
4 Senetwû
b •
tl •
Chep:.:
e
3
10
H
12
•
•
Mcvngorton
•3 •
14 Kapche
• rwaïaieke
16 Msiywon
• ' Pr opoy
Kosuloi
-
.i - Sielpogn
Tamogh
. Empogn
Mungit
... Chepnyal
Cholpogh
.-
.:
.
29 ..-. •
28 - haptoQti
3£
•
:.
34 •:.•
Kap.ata
•
«angwa
Sinjo
Cheotrom
tfa Momoro
>r Kmch
Chewaiany
18 Sam.cn
;
39
41 -
•
Pa-uo
Kochich
42
.:, 44
Morouus
Samor
4b SeOit
46
47 Kapch.k^r
4H Psiywo
49 Orturri
Ortum ..girisi
-> 51
-
Sava
Total Cneparena Division
Num bec Name ot the sen
on map
1 Kanyerus
2 Kapoi.o
3 Makuyen
4
5 Kacheiioaig.ris
g KacheiiDa.mixec
7 Kaiomengor
.-. 9
Kosia
Karon
IU Lokichai
11 Timale
13 .
'4
v. aa
Kodich
lb Karamel
18 Kunyao
1 : Kapchok
19 -
-osam
\atemere.
-
.. a
24
Kamketo
Kaseï
Korokou
Kaptolomwo
Chepk
28 Chelopoy
28 Katunaa
36 Sasa«
37 Kaiapata
38 Nauyapong
Total Kacheliba Division
TOTAL WEST POKOT DISTRICT
Abbreviations of spons
RC
ose
CPK
ACCK
AIC
RCEA
Luth
PEFA
FH
AGC
" No information
Locat.on Spons. Day Classes No ol No ol Total No c
Boarding Boy» G.-1» pupils Isa
cher
3FÏ Si 50 109
Kipkomo RC C ,, 170 157 327 1
Kipkomo
_-;
Day ' 7 36' : ; Kipkomo
K.pkomo
RC
RC
Day
Day
l-fi 153
21
-i
109
'b
621
262
r:
1
< 68
' -
K.pkomo RC I : 30 •
Kipkomo RC Day ' 3
' -
Romar. Catholic Church
District Education Board Mm ot Education I
Church of the Province ot Kenya
Associated Cristian Churches ol Kenya
African Inland Church
Reformed Cnurcn of East Africa
Evangelical Lutheran Churcn ot Kenya
Pentacostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa
Faith Homes of Kenya
African Gospel Church
RC Day • E 9G 33 123
Kipkomo RC B Er D 99 IC 109
Kipkomo RC Da«
c.pkomo R : 3a. • 4 6t 37 97
FH Day ' 3 i.: 28 62
Kipkomo FH Day 108 94 200
Kipkomo DES Day 1 t. 38 56 154
Kipkomo CPK 3d« 5 127 110 237
• •
• : • ; -
Kipkomo RC Day 1-3 38 83
Kipkomo Luth Day • s 265
: •
• : •
• • • •
K.pkomo CPK Day 23 43
S ook
Soo«
Sook
Sook
RC
RG
Rl
RC
Day
Day
;=,
1 2
1-3
33
16
40
12
41 -
3
45
19
161
43
Soot RC Day ' C 32 11 43
Sook DES Board 1 7 184 'C 260 !
Sook
Sook
Sook
PK
RC -
Day
Day
Day
' 3 -
i 3
38
58
46
26
.. .6
64
30
72 ;
Sook AGC Day I : 31 19 50
Sook AGC Day 1 3 103 s 163 1
Sook DEB 3d, - i 124 K 159 1
Sook HC .yd. i 3 48 6C
•
Sook
Sook
Sook
RC
RC
3d,
Day
3d,
i 2
' 3
41
^ 51
43
11
10
; 3
52
53 ...
46
So it
Sook
Ban
Bate
Bate.
latei
-c
RC
Rl
DES
RC
Day
Day
Dai
Day
Day
Day
i 3
1 . 3
1 4
1-7
i 3
BS
36
'c
9E
20C
52
12
34 ;
-^ 68
:I
97
37
110
136
268
84
,
- • •
- • ;
Ban RC Day 1 3 52 '3 65
•. RC Day 1 7 131 99 230 <
Batei
Bate
RC
DE8
RC
DEB
3d,
Day
Cu.
3d,
1 3
1 7
b
3
B7
4-
53 -
27
64
X
8
94
205
135
61
1
1
(
Bate. RC Day
31 103
Batei RC B 6 D • 7 6! 474 1
--
: •:
• ;
Bate. Ï: Board 3 7 217 217
Bate. RC Day 1 3 41 114
RC 3,-,, 4 58 '3 68
18
82
441S 2371 6790 233
Location Sponso Day Classes No ol No ol Total No o«
Boarding Boys G.ris pupil» tu
chars
Suam -C Ca, • 4 25 24 49 3
RC Od« Temporar . . osed
Suam C E ; Day Tempora-
Suam Tempor a -
Suam RC B Er D 1-5 168 166 6
Suam RC Day 1-7 397 160 557 13
Suam Cd. Temporar v ciosea
Suam RC Cd« Temporar y closed
Suam RC 3a« Temporar y ciosea
Kapchok RC Day 1-4 72 72 4
Kapchok
Kapcnok
Kapcnok
Kapcnok
Kapcnok
CPK
RC
RC
CPK
RC
B Et D
Day
B Et D
B Er D
Day
1-4
• 7 :
13
97
'3
53
57
28
33
5
38
•" 12
130
18
191
74
40
5
2
11
1
1
Kapcnok
Kapchok
DEB B Er D 1-7 •42 t 250 9
Kapcnok CPK B Et D 14 6' 34 101 4
Kssa RC Day 1-4 i.. 15 97 3
KdS^
Kase.
ACCK
ACCK
Za,
Day
1-3
1 3
sa
6v
Cr
6
89
56
3
2
Kase. RC 3a. 1 36 7 42
Kase:
Kase«
Kase.
Kase.
Kase.
AIC
ACCK
AIC
AIC
ACCK
3d,
3d«
Day
Day
Day
1
1-2
1
1
1-4
28
28
.S
•s
157
12
4 '-
50 :
40
34
32
30
207 4
Kase.
Chemerongit
AIC
RC
3a,
Day
1-4
12
93
9
19
1
111
10
3
1
Chemerongn
Alale
Alale
RC
RC
RC
3d,
Day
B & D
1
• 5 ;
21
31
198
13
19
il
34
50
228 6
Alale MC Day i 21 •3 34
RC Day 12 22 4 26 3
Alale AIC Day 1 32 t 38
Alaie R'C Day 1 20 36 56
910 3070 92
19751 12416 32167 98-

Primary schools in West Pokot District, by division, 1983
O
© A
^ Day school
(?) Boarding school
( ) Temporary closed
See opposite page
Kapenguna
division
S i gor
division
Chepareria
division
Kacheliba
division
109
9 18 Kms
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

110
Primary education
Primary school enrolment
Primary school enrolment started late and very slow in West
Pokot District compared to many parts of Kenya. In 1935 only
60 children attended school and none of them were Pokot.
Three years later there were a few Pokot among the 75 boys
and 15 girls enrolled. In 1961 the total number of children
going to school was about 1700. Of these, 160 went to standard
5 or higher. At independence, only 11 per cent of all
male residents of West Pokot and less than 3 per cent of the
females had had any schooling. Not many of these literate
people were born in the district.
Between 1966 and 1982 the number of children enrolled in
primary schools increased from 2634 to 32167, or more than
twelve times. The great jump between 1979 and 1980, also
visible in the development of new schools, occurs here again.
In 1979 President Daniel Arap Moi visited West Pokot and
directed that all children in the district should go to school.
In the same year the remainder of school fees was abolished
and free school milk was introduced.
Another factor that influences school attendance is the availability
of food in the district. In times of food shortages,
resulting from drought or livestock djseases, more parents
will send their children to school. They will then at least receive
one meal per day. 1980 and 1981 were years when food
shortages occured in Kacheliba division and parts of Chepareria
and Sigor divisions. The enrolment of girls is especially
affected by these food crises.
The growth of primary school enrolment between 1979 and
1982 is broken down by location in Map 64. This breakdown
shows clearly how enrolment increased spectacularly, outside
those few locations around Kapenguria, where attendance
was already relatively high earlier. One exception is Suam
location, where the bad security situation forced the closure
of a number of schools.
Proportional growth of school
enrolment, by location, 1979-82
MAP 64
Number of children enrolled in primary school, 1970-82
1970
71
72
it
73 till
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
8?
FIGURE 17
f'
# tu
III
Boys
illll mu MM u
IÏIÏÏ ftfff tffft m
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
IZZI 23 100"0
CD 1 00— 1 50"o
E--] 1 50—200%
EH 200-350°o
More than 350%
H
1000 Pupils

Primary education
Boys and girls enrolled in primary school, by location, 1982
MAP 65 a
Boys Girls
Prior to 1979, education was only relatively well developed
in the present Kapenguria division. In the period from 1970 to
1978 children from this division accounted for more than two
thirds of total enrolment in the district. Since 1979 the other
divisions and the two 'remote' locations of Kapenguria divi­
111
18 km
sion, Riwa and Lelan, are starting to catch up as Figure 18
illustrates. Figure 18 and Maps 65a-c show at the same time
that they still have a long way to go. They also clearly indicate
that enrolment of girls is lagging even further behind.
Number of children enrolled in primary school, by division, 1970-82
8000 .
6000 .
4000.
2000
FIGURE 18
:ls
Kappngiirm t—i
s
\
\
si
s
SJ
S
s
iSJ
1970 73 76 79 82
Cheparena
ES ^ a
1970 73 76 79 82
Sigor
n. n
1970 73 76 79 82
Kacheliba
1970 73 76 79 82
fcj Girls
Boys
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

112
Primary education
Boys/girls enrolled in primary school as proportion of all boys/girls between
5-14 years, by location, 1982
Location
Chemerongit
Suam
Alale
Masol
Kapchok
Riwa
Sekerr
Cheptulel
S ook
Lomut
Kipkomo
Kasei
Batei
Weiwei
Mwmo
Mnagei
Lelan
Kapenguna
FIGURE 19
n '"1
Location
|
1 Boys -
1
.Vil
1
1
^_
Chemerongit
Alale
Kapchok
Sook
Cheptulel
Kasei
Masol
Mwmo
Sekerr
Suam
Lomut
Girls I
j
i
i
i
i
i
Riwa
Kipkomo
Weiwei
Lelan
Kapenguna
Mnagei
1" ' i t i r ( i' ' i i i ' i
Batei
20 40 60 80 100 120 20 40 60 80 100 %
Absolute numbers of children enrolled and percentages of
growth tell only part of the story. We must also look at the
number of children enrolled in primary schools as a proportion
of all children between 4 and 15 years in that location.
Figure 19 summarizes the results of this comparison, by location,
for 1982.
Again the vast differences within the district show clearly.
Boys in Kapenguria, Lelan and Mnagei locations score over
100 per cent, because children from outside attend school
there. On the other hand school enrolment in Chemerongit is
less than 10 per cent of all children.
The figures must be interpreted with some caution. They are
based on estimates of the total number of boys and girls between
5 and 14 years of age in every location in 1982. The
base for these estimates are the census returns of 1979. The
number of children enrolled may also be inflated in some
locations when there are a number of boarding schools
attracting children from outside. This is the case in Kapenguria,
Mnagei and Batei locations with many children from outside
the location or even from outside the district.
For the district as a whole, 72 per cent of the boys and 46
per cent of all girls between 5 and 14 years were enrolled
in primary education in 1982. In 1979 only 41 per cent of all
boys and not more than 28 per cent of the girls, or 34 per
cent of all children, attended-school. For Kenya as a whole
the enrolment was already 67 per cent in that year.
Teachers in primary schools
Deviation from mean district enrolment, by location, 1382
Above mean Below mean Above mean
MAP 66 a
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Along with the explosive growth of new schools and school
enrolment went an impressive increase in the number of tea
chers. The absolute number of teachers has kept up remarka
bly well with the fast growing number of children (Figure 20)
Only during the boom years 1979 and 1980 did the availability
of teachers lag behind the numbers of new children comind
to school. Apart from those years, the number of pupils pe
teacher varied between 25 and 33 in the period 1966-82 fo
West Pokot.
Although this ratio is very reasonable as an average, there ard
quite a number of exceptions. In some large centres such a;
Kapenguria and Makutano teachers may be having classes o
more than 50 children. In some of the remote areas, classes
may be as small as 5 or 6 pupils. Table 10 (page 108) gives
the details per school. The average number of students pei
teacher for each location in 1982 is shown in Map 67.
MAP 66 b
Girls
Below mean
ê

imary education
lumber of trained and untrained
rimary school teachers, 1971-82
00-,
)0 .
k).
K>.
)o.
X) .
X) .
X) .
X) .
KD . v\
0
/
A /
/
/ '
1971 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82
SURE 20
ÛJE 26 Standard 5 class, Cheptuya Primary School
',
Number of students per primary
school teacher, by location, 1982
MAP 67
Il II 24-26
Il II 27-32
I II 33-37
UM\ 38-41
113
District Atlas West Pokot, 1385

114
Primary education
The absolute numbers of teachers kept more or less in step
with the growing number of schoolchildren as we have seen.
The proportion of trained teachers however, declined. In
1967, out of a total of 87 teachers 81, or more than 90 per
cent, was trained. In 1973 149 out of a total of 242, or just
over 60 per cent was trained. In 1983 the district had 540 trained
teachers and 444 untrained ones. The academic qualifications
of untrained teachers are very low in some instances.
The distribution of trained teachers over the district is uneven
as Map 68 indicates. Again the central locations of Mnagei
and Kapenguria have considerably more trained teachers
than the rest of the district. The quality of education in locations
such as Alale, Chemerongit and Sekerr must be doubtful
as less than 20 per cent of the teachers in these locations
ate trained.
Of all the teachers in West Pokot nearly four fifth were recruited
from outside the district.
PLATE 27 Nasokol Primary School, one of the first schools in the district
PLATE 28 Kunyao Primary School, obtained the best CPE results
during the last years
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Trained primary school teachers
as proportion of all primary
school teachers, by location, 1982
Minage
MAP 68 Kapengut.a
I l Less than 20%
20-40%
40—55%
55—60%
More than 60%

mary education
tificate of primary education
ie statistics about the number of candidates and the Cerate
of Primary Education (CPE) results over the years are
ented in Figures 21 and 22. The number of candidates
steadily over the years as expected.
examination results obtained by the candidates from
t Pokot fluctuated considerably over the years. After bad
ts in 1973 and 1974 the period 1975-8 showed excellent
ts with over 80 per cent passes. The declining percentaf
passes during the last years is probably caused by a
:er number of untrained teachers and very large classes
ime schools. Also a number of 'new' schools, with no
rience in the preparation of students for examinations,
•ed candidates during these last years.
) 69 shows that theresultsof the 'old' schools are above
ige. 'Old' schools are those that already entered candidaor
CPE in 1973. Nasokol Primary School produced the
test number of passes over the 10 years reviewed. 629
ren from this school obtained CPE passes during this
.d.
highest percentage of passes during the period was
Ined by children from Kaibichbich Primary School and
m Boys School with 82 per cent pass rates.
E results, 1973-82
115
Number of candidates entered for CPE,
1973-82
1800
1400
1000.
600.
200.
i i i ' iTi f " Tii i "'""i i i i
1973 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82
FIGURE 21
)73 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982
RE 22
E results of 12 primary schools, 1973-82
Number of candidates
O 200- 400
O 401- 600
O 601- 800
O 801-1000
m pï 8
Irm* à
5 4 2 ' ' '
nly schools in the districtenlering CPE candidates during
iol« pariod
P69
Percentage passes Na me of the school
[ 1 64—70% 1 Chepareria
lui 70—74%
1 74—78%
2
3
4
Kabichbich
Kanyarkwat
Kapenguria
•^B 78—82% 5.
6
Kamorow
Makutano
7. Nasokol
8. Ortum (boys)
9 Ortum (girls)
10 Sigor
11 Tartar
12 Tomena (Kapenguria
I 1 Passed
I I Failed
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

116
Secondary education
West Pokot District had only five secondary schools in 1983.
As recent as 1977 there were only two, both of them national
schools with a great majority of students from outside the
district.
The oldest secondary school in the district is Kapenguria
(Chewoyet) Boys Secondary School. Chewoyet started it's
life as an agricultural school in 1947. It was converted to
secondary in 1956. A useful reminder of the first period is a
fully developed school farm, of nearly 150 hectares, which
supplies the school residents with food.
Chewoyet is also famous in Kenya history as the place where
the Kapenguria trial of 1953 took place, Two classrooms were
used as the courtroom where Mzee Jomo Kenyatta and five
other nationalists were tried.
The other 'old' secondary school is Nasokol Girls, also close
TABLE 11 Secondary schools in West Pokot District, 1983
Name of the school
Sponsor and government
involvement
Year first opened 1958
Boys/Girls
Boys
Boarding/Day school Boarding
Number of classes, '83 9
Number of students,'833 375
Teachers
P1 A level
S1
4
Approved
1
Graduate
10
Total number
of teachers 15
Kapenguria
Boys Secondary
School (Chewoyet)
Secondary schools, 1983
MAP 70
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Nasokol Girls
Secondary School
Government school Started by CPK
Since 1977
government
1965
Girls
Boarding
4
168
1
5
1
1
Tartar Harambee Secondary school
Kapenguria (Chewoyet)
Boys Secondary school
Nasokol Girls Secondary school
Chepareria Girls Secondary school
Ortum Boys Secondary school
to Kapenguria. On the compound of the existing prima
school the Church of the Province of Kenya started a gir
boarding school in 1965. In 1973 the government took ov
responsibility for Form 1 and since 1977 Nasokol is a gover
ment school.
The third secondary school was opened in Ortum, anoth
old centre of education in West Pokot, by the Catho
Church. Since 1980, the government is assisting Ortum Bo
Secondary, through the take-over of one class per year.
The Catholic Church are also sponsors of the two newe
secondary schools, Tartar and Chepareria. These schools <
not receive government assistance so far.
Chewoyet is the only secondary school in West Pokot th
offers A-level courses. The first Form 5 intake took place
1983.
Ortum Boys
Secondary
School
Started by
Catholic Church
Since 1980
government aid
1977
Boys
Boarding
7
304
1
6
1
Tartar Harambee
Secondary School
Catholic Church
No government
assistence
1980
Mixed
Day shool
7
218
6
1
PLATE 29 Ortum Boys Secondary School
1
Chepareria
Harambee Girl
Second. Schoc
Catholic Church
No government
assistance
1983
Girls
Boarding
1
48
2

duit education
duit literacy at independence, defined as percentage of perns
over 20 years of age who had been to school for at least
v years, was estimated to be eleven per cent of all male
ult residents of West Pokot and only three per cent for the
nales. The population census of 1979 recorded that twenty
e per cent of all males over 20 years of age and ten per cent
all females over 20 years of age received at least some for-
)l education. We have seen in the section about primary
ucation that enrolment increased impressively during the
st independence period, especially after 1979. The results
this increased enrolment will only appear in literacy rates
adults after one generation.
dult education classes were only organized by some church
janizations from the time before independence to about
^0. The Bible and religious literature, translated in Pokot or
swahili, were the only textbooks available to teachers and
fdents. By 1970 an adult literacy programme was launched
the district. The campaign received assistance through the
ecial Rural Development Programme and was concentra-
1 in Kapenguria division. 722 students (348 men and 374
imen) were enrolled in 20 classes in 1970. The number of
sses had risen to 42 in 1975. The number of students,
wever, had gone down to 673 (347 men and 326 women).
1978 enrolment stood at 754 students of whom 462 were
in and 292 were women. The number of classes was 38.
3Cords for the four years from 1980 to 1983 are presented
Figure 23 and 24. Some interesting developments can be
KTE 30 Chewoyet (Kapenguria) Boys High School. The classrooms
to the left of the entrance were used as the courtroom
during the trial of Mzee Jomo Kenyatta in 1953.
117
deduced from these records. The maximum number of adult
students enrolled was recorded in 1981. A total of 3 840 students
of whom 2 130 were men and 1 710 women were
registered in that year. Surprisingly, the number went down
by more than a third in the next year and was only 57 per cent
of the 1981 enrolment in the year 1983. The decline is mainly
due to considerable reduction of students in Kapenguria division.
On the other hand, the high enrolment in 1981 was
mainly caused by impressive growth of adult students in
Sigor and Chepareria divisions, where the number of students
in self help and part-time classes was approaching those
of Kapenguria division.
Another interesting conclusion from Figure 24 is that women
exceed men in adult classes in Kapenguria division. Of just
over 1 250 students enrolled in the top year 1981, a total of
700, or 58 per cent, were women. The ratio of men to women
for the whole of the district was exactly the opposite: 58 per
cent men and 42 per cent women.
"Centres with part-time teachers enrol more students than
any of the other types of adult education centres. Figure 23
shows also that the number of centres with part-time teachers
is considerably higher than the others. This is very pronounced
in Kapenguria division where the number of centres
with part-time teachers increased from 30 to 46 in the period
1980-3, while the number of self help centres went down
from 25 to 3 in the same period.
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

118
Adult education
Distribution of adult education centres, 1983
Self help Part time Full time
MAP 71a MAP 71b ? • 2 . 61 ""' MAP 71c
Adult education centres, by division, 1980-83
Kapenguria (_
Sigor (£;
Chepareria
Kacheliba l^ f**'-
Kapenguria
Sigor
Chepareria
Kacheliba
1980
^ f

Adult education
Adult education centres, number of students enrolled and characteristics,
by division, 1980-83
: .
1980
81
82 m
Self help
Part time Full time
Kapenguria division
83 I Sigor division
1980 m
s, 1
82
jffliiMüsa
Chepareria division
83 Kacheliba division
FIGURE 24
0 50 150 250 350 0 50 150 250 350 450 0 50 150 250 350 «III Illlllllllllllll Male
39 full-time teachers were employed in 1983 by the Department
of Adult Education to man the centres. The establishment
for part-time teachers was 98 in 1983, while the number
of self help teachers is not exactly known but ranges between
fourty to sixty. The missionary organizations still play a role
L Z ~ ~ : i Female
119
in adult education, especially in the self help centres. It is well
possible that the records, reproduced here, do not contain
the full information about these self help adult literacy
groups, as quite a number call themselves Biblestudy groups.
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

120
Adult education
Figure 25 shows that very few students of adult classes persevere
until they sit for the Certificate of Primary Examination.
The top year for CPE results was again 1981, when 32
candidates were enrolled, of whom 12 obtained a pass. In
order to catch up with the rest of the Republic, and indeed
with the development of other sectors of development within
West Pokot, more input seems to be necessary to increase
literacy of adults in the district.
Adult education, CPE enrolment and
results, 1973-82
1973
1975
1977
1979
1981
1982
FIGURE 25
Males
mitt
ttttt ttt
) flflft
ttttt ttt tt
ttttt ttt
tttt
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Females
tt
ttttt
ttt
tttt
m
t
Each figure = 1 student
U enrolled for CPE.
I passed
PLATE 31 Carpentry trainees at work at Chepareria Village Polytec\
nie
PLATE 32 New masonry and carpentry workshops at Kodich Villat
Polytechnic

'olytechnics and special schools
West Pokot had five village polytechnics in 1983 as indicated
>n Map 72. The village polytechnic movement started in the
970's in the district. During colonial times, practical skills
vere part of the syllabus at the so-called Government African
Schools and also a number of mission schools. These subsets
were dropped when the Certificate of Primary Schools
CPE) syllabus was introduced after independence. After
964, practical and technical skills were taught only at the
econdary technical level and at a few other institutions,
iuch as the Institutes of Technology. Before the Village Polyechnic
movement started in the district, some churches
;onducted informal training for youngsters in skills such as
;arpentry, masonry and metal work. Some girls received
nstruction in sewing, needlework and homescience.
The Church of the Province of Kenya (CPK), through its
Christian Rural Service programme, promoted and sponsored
he first village polytechnics in the district in the mid-1970's.
kapenguria, Sigor, Ortum, Chepareria and Kodich in that
»rder were established in the period 1976 to 1981. Gradually
he government, through the Ministry of Culture and Social
îervices, took over the payment of salaries of the teaching
taff. In 1983 the government payed a total of 23 members
if staff as managers and instructors at the five village polyechnics.
According to records from the Ministry of Culture and Social
îervices a total of 164 students were enrolled in the village
lolytechnics of whom 141 were boys and 23 girls. Masonry
nd carpentry were taken as subjects by 129 students, all of
hem boys. The second popular subject was tailoring and
lome economics with 4 boys and 20 girls. The accomodation
nd teaching staff could at least cope with double the num­
Polytechnics and special schools, 1983
WAP 72
^ vmage Polytechnic
£) Blind school
25Km
121
ber of students. It is somewhat surprising that a district,
which has at least one thousand school leavers per year who
cannot enter secondary schools, should be unable to fill at
least three hundred polytechnic places.
Map 72 also shows one special school. This is St. Francis
School for the Blind It was started in 1977 as a réhabilitation
centre by the Church of the Province of Kenya (CPK) and
admitted 15 blind youngsters in that year. In 1981, St. Francis
started teaching the primary school syllabus for most of its
pupils. In 1983 the primary school went up to Standard 5 with
47 students in total. By that time the school had five teachers,
seconded by the Ministry of Education. Ten other
pupils, attended rehabilitation, three of them at Kapenguria,
two others at Kongelai near Kacheliba. By 1987, the school
will teach a full primary school curriculum. Apart from the
Ministry of Education, the institution is assisted by the
Christoffel Blinden Mission, a charitable organization based
in Germany.
One other institution, not shown on Map 72, might be grouped
under these special educational institutions. This is the
Family Life Training Centre (FLTC). This centre is also based
at Kapenguria, occupying a large plot between the village
polytechnic and St. Francis School for the Blind. The FLTC
has as its aim to give assistance to malnourished children and
their mothers, through rehabilitation and instruction of the
mothers in childcare and nutrition. In 1983 the centre was still
expanding its facilities. Although the centre had 17 members
of staff, few mothers and children were admitted so. On the
other hand the accomodation was used for seminars of various
kinds, ranging from a few days to six weeks, duration.
PLATE 33 Sewing class at Chepareria Village Polytechnic
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

122
Health services
Introduction Static facilities
In this section we will first deal with the health facilities and
programmes, based on modern, western medicine. It should
be understood that this sort of medical care is only one part
of the health services in the district. As elsewhere in Kenya,
many people use traditional healing and preventive methods,
often alongside modern medical treatment. No quantitative
data are available about traditional health care. In the section
about Level of health care (pages 128-9), we will try to explain
some of its principles and its importance.
Due to the climatic differences within West Pokot's boundaries
and the different level of socio-economic development of
its residents, nearly all diseases, diagnosed in the Republic,
appear in the district's hospital records. Infectious diseases
are often treated through the 'modern' health care.
Of the infectious diseases, malaria has a high occurence in
the lower areas of the district. Also ailments such as bronchitis
and pneumonia are frequently seen at out-patients departments
or admitted for hospital treatment. In the vernacular
of the patients, seeking cure, these diseases are indicated as
'homa' (fever). In approximate order of frequency other infectious
diseases prevalent in West Pokot are: gastro- enteritis
(infectious diseases of the abdomen), measles, eye infections,
tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, kaia azar,
and typhoid. A serious epidemic of cholera raged in West
Pokot in 1980, especially in Kacheliba division.
Most common of the non-infectious diseases are: obstetric
problems, (spontaneous) abortions, abcesses needing surgery
and complications when giving birth. Also cuts and bruises
are seen regularly at out patient departments.
The prevelance of some diseases is related to the seasons.
The general resistance of people against infections also declines
when the food situation is precarious. Increased mortality
is clearly related to drought and livestock diseases, causing
starvation and malnutrition in the semi-arid areas, as happened
in 1980.
Statistics about mortality of the district's population or
about the status of its health, e.g. percentages of malnourished
children, are not available. Few surveys have ever been
held to obtain this information. The surveys held were based
on too few respondents and were conducted in exceptional
periods of drought. The United Nations Children and Educational
Fund (UNICEF) estimates mortality of children under
24 months in West Pokot District in 1979 at 216 per thousand
PLATE 34 View of the District Hospital at Kapenguria
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Modern medical facilities in West Pokot District are opera
by the Ministry of Health or by Church agencies, in so
instances in combination. Only one private clinic operate<
the district in 1983, at Makutano. Distribution of all the st«
medical facilities is depicted in Map 73.
The district has two hospitals. The Ministry of Health op«
tes the District Hospital at Kapenguria. Statistics about 1
hospital and its operations are given on pages 124-5.
second hospital is at Ortum, run by the Catholic Chur
Ortum hospital receives a yearly grant from the Ministry
Health covering about 20 per cent of its expenditure,
remainder is collected through grants from overseas and fe
received for services. Ortum hospital has 104 beds. It é
conducts a training for Enrolled Midwives. Plans to com
this training into a course for Enrolled. Community Nur
were in an advanced stage in 1983. The first intake of ^
dents for this new course is to take place in 1985. The r
training will also use facilities at Kapenguria District Hospj
where accomodation for 38 students was nearly complet
The Ministry of Health operates three health centres
Kacheliba, Sigor and Kaibichbich respectively. Health Cen
are medical facilities, offering more comprehensive servi
than dispensaries. These include beds for patients admissi
ante-natal and maternity services, mother and child he
care, including family planning. Health centres also serv«
referral centres for a number of dispensaries and bases
mobile clinics and have laboratory facilities. An on-gc
construction programme will increase the size and facilitie
the three health centres and the housing available for tl
staff considerably, when completed in 1986.
Non governmental agencies run dispensaries and mobile
nies, apart from the above mentioned Ortum hospital,
practice two of them, Amolem dispensary and Kiwawa cl
-managed by Reformed Church of East Africa (RCEA)
Associated Christian Churches of Kenya (AC(
respectively- offer services comparable to government he
centres.
Of all dispensaries, working in 1983, seven are managed^
the Ministry of Health and eight by Church agencies,
were closed because of insecurity and three were un|
construction.
Statistics on pages 124 and 125 (Figures 26 to 32) are bal
on the returns of the district hospital at Kapenguria. W

Static health facilities in West Pokot District, 1983
m
MAP 73
Nauyapong
i\ A.African Inland Church
'
Amakuriet
O
tCiinvan
Kacheliba
Kacneliba acffelil
A Failh Homes
/ W Kenya
Nakuyen
c
Kanyarkwat
Kiwawa
Catholic Church
Makutano akutc
O
Kauriong
Associated Christian
Churches of Kenya
£
Chepareria
Chepnyal
T8mough
Catholic Church
African Gospel
Church
Kapenguria ^%
Pentacoatal Evangelistic ^ ^
i Fellowship of Africa Kaibichbich
Murkwijit
Ministry of Health
^P Hospital
^} Health centre
#"") Dispensary
(_} Dispensary
under construction
Nasolot
Reformed Church
East Africa
Û
Orwa
/\ Lutheran Church
Sengeiei
Manch
P
Sigor
k Catholic Church
Ortum it
4$
Amoiem
Catholic ÛTTOR Church
Chesta
€
Tamkal
Reformed Church
of East Africa
.Lutheran Church
C
Lomut
Church facilities
J^ Hospital
^ Health centre
i\ Dispensary
A Dispensary
under construction
| I Private clinic
0 Temporary closed
18 Km
_i
123
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

124
Health services
Outpatients attendence, Kapenguria hospital, 1972-82
150 000.
140 000
130 000
120 000 J
110000
100 000
FIGURE 26
f £?
4^Ä
£ZÂ
1972 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82
this hospital is the largest health facility in West Pokot,
employing more than.two thirds of all health staff in the entire
district, it handles less than one third of all cases. As a referral
hospital, Kapenguria hospital is equiped to handle more specialized
treatment and surgery than other facilities.
According to records in the Annual Reports of the Medical
Officer of Health, government institutions handled just over
three quarters of 503 000 patients, seen at all health facilities
in 1983 (including mobile clinics). 81 000 first attendances
and 77 000 re-attendances were recorded at the out-patients
department of the district hospital; by far the busiest in West
Pokot with 31.5 per cent of all recorded attendances. Second
was Kacheliba Health Centre with 46 000 and third Amolem
dispensary with 38 000.
The occupancy rate of hospital beds at the district hospital
(Figure 30) has been as high as nearly 300 per cent average
during some years. This means an average of three patients
per bed. With the completion of the new hospital buildings,
this figure will be reduced considerably, although instances of
Number of beds,
Kapenguria hospital, 1974-82
1974
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
FIGURE 28
150n
100
50
0
1974 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
a
Number of in-patients,
Kapenguria hospital,
1972-82
1972 (tttt t
74 ttttt t
" »tttt H
78 ttttt ttt
80 ttttt ttt
82 ttttt ttttt
FIGURE 27
= 500 pati(
patients, sharing one bed in certain wards, will continue.
Occupancy rates at Ortum Mission hospital, where patients
pay a fee for medical service, have always been somewhat
lower than those of the government run, free, institutions. A
total of 302 hospital beds was^available in the district in 1982
(180 at the district hospital, 104 at Ortum hospital, 12 at the
three government health centres, and 6 at Kiwawa clinic).
Overall, this gives a ratio of one hospital bed per 622 people,
compared to one bed for 680 people in the whole of the Rift
Valley Province and 565 people per bed nationally.
The number of medical doctors, available for health care in
the district has varied from a minimum of two to a maximum
of six during the years from 1972 to 1983. While Kapenguria
hospital has a establishment of three medical doctors, most
of the time only two are available. Similarly Ortum Hospital,
which should have two medical doctors, has to manage with
only one for long periods. Somewhat better is the situation
of other medical and nursing staff, especially during the last
years of the period under review. It must be noted, however,
Bed-days and number of bed-days
per admission, Kapenguria hospital
1974-82
1974 index = 100
IrvdftX _ . ....
oeuuays inoex i uu - aa uoo days
1 50 -j No of beddays per ad mission index 100= 18 7 days
100-
50-
0_
FIGURE 29
ft A
A
A
1974 75
76 77
( ~$ Beddays
[/ ß Number of
bed- days per
admission
* No data

Health services
hat while the district hospital is well staffed, it is difficult to
>ost sufficient and qualified staff to all health centres and dis-
>ensaries. Some of these are very remote and are not considered
to be attractive stations.
The number of visits to all clinics at Kapenguria hospital shoved
impressive growth during* the period 1974-83, as Figure
11 indicates. Altogether, the number of persons attending
my of these clinics increased from 7 354 in 1974 to 18 684 in
982. Deliveries at the hospital increased from 320 in 1974 to
176 in 1982. A comparative increase was noticeable in other
nstitutions in the district, although the exact statistics are
inavailable.
Records of vaccinations performed, show that the number
)f immunizations varied over the years. A considerable
ncrease of coverage is expected after the introduction of the
Cenya Extended Programme of Immunization (KEPI), which
vas being prepared in 1983. Lack of sufficient and reliable refigerators
and vaccins, especially at health centres and dis-
>ensaries, makes succesful vaccination campaigns difficult,
tecords of the district hospital show that in 1983 less than
iO per cent of all children receiving a first dose of DPT and
'olio vaccin, returned for second and third dose, completing
i succesful immunization. If we assume that the total num-
>er of children, elegible for vaccinations is yearly in the order
)f eight to ten thousand, the total of immunized children is
>nly five to seven per cent. Also immunizations for measles
md tuberculosis (BCG) cover only a fraction of the total
copulation.
Surgery, Kapenguria hospital, 1974-82
General surgery 1978-1982
Major Minor
Occupancy of beds,
Kapenguria hospital, 1974*82
Percent
300
200H
100-
1974 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82
FIGURE 30 * n ° ' n,orma,lon
125
The number of surgical operations at the district hospital
increased. What is more important: in the 1970's surgery
required the presence of specialists from Nairobi (Flying Doctors
Service) or Nakuru. Since 1980, most surgery is performed
by qualified staff at the hospital.
An important service, offered at Kapenguria Hospital is ophtalmie
(eye) care and surgery. A specialist ophtalmie clinical
officer conducts daily eye clinics at the hospital or elsewhere
in the district through mobile clinics. Once per month, consultant
ophtalmie clinics and surgical operations are performed
by a specialist from Nakuru or Eldoret.
Eye surgery 1979-1982 Dental surgery
Major Minor 1974-1982
974 • ::::: :: ss;
75 ; ::::: :: :::•
76 : ::::: :: ::::;
77 «
::::: :::. ::::::
78
m
• •
•
::::: ::::: :::: ; :::: ::::::
79
80
• < ::::: :::• • : :::::•
• ::::: : • : : : : : < •
81 :. six:: :. < si :::::
82 :• ::::: :: • :: ::::
IGURE 32
= 50 operations
Deliveries and attendance at clinics, Kapenguria hospital, 1974-82
1974 75
IGURE 31
Number of deliveries
Attendance of children under five
Ante natal visits
Family planning
1974 index = 100
Attendance of children under five index 100 - 1 716 children
Number of deliveries index 100 = 320 deliveries
| 1977 and 1978 missing)
Ante natal visits index 100 - 5 419 visits
Family planning index 100 = 219 visits
(1975 missing)
"no information
District Atlas West Pokot, 1988

126
Health services
Mobile clinics Mobile eye clinics, 1983
The mobile eye clinic, operating in West Pokot, was mentioned
before. This mobile clinic visits the places indicated on
Map 74 monthly. The Kenya Society for the Blind funds the
mobile programme, while the Ministry of Health employs the
specialist clinical officer, who conducts the clinics. By far the
most common eye disease is trachoma, a preventable eye
infection, which is the direct result of lack of hygiene, probably
resulting from lack of knowledge. Cataracts, which require
surgery, are often seen with old people.
In a district with large distances and a mobile, relative sparse
population in the lower areas, static facilities cannot provide
sufficient coverage for sick people or prevention. Mobile clinics
are therefore necessary to give people access to modern
health care. The non governmental agencies in West Pokot
are essential to perform such services efficiently. Lack of staff
outside the hospital and especially lack of reliable transport,
prevent the Ministry of Health to carry out such mobile services
regularly. For the succesful implementation of any mobile
programme, reliability is essential. Sick people may have walked
long distances to reach the venue of a mobile clinic and
will loose confidence if the vehicle and staff do not appear
on the appointed day. The returns for 1983, which are even
incomplete as far as non governmental agencies are concerned,
show clearly that missions do a far bigger job in this
respect than the government is able to do. While the only
operational government mobile clinic attended to 412
patients in 1983, the non government mobile clinics saw altogether
12 651 patients. Not available are records for Sengelel
(Sekerr) and Kiwawa mobile clinics, which would add to the
number of patients seen by church agencies.
PLATE 35 Nearly completed new dispensary and staff houses at Kauriong
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Places visited monthly from Kapenguria
1 Nauyapong 14 Kwanza Centre
2 Amakuriet 15 Kapenguria
3 Kaunong 16 Chepareria
4 Kiwawa 1 7 Chepkopegh
5 Lossam 18 Tamogh
6 Kunyao 19 Ortum
7 Kodich 20 Sigor
8 Kacheliba 21 Lomut
9 Chesera 22 Chesegon
10 Kreswa 23 Amolem
11 Kanyerus
12 Kanyarkwat
13 Kolongolo

Dbïle clinics in West Pokot District, 1982
75
Mobile clinics managed by government
Mobile clinics managed by church
Managing agency and base for mobile clinics
Catholic mission, Kacheliba
Ministry of Health, Kacheliba
Associated Christian Churches of Kenya, Kiwawa
Full Gospel Church of Kenya, Kapenguria
Ministry of Health, Kapenguria
Catholic mission, Ortum
Ministry of Health, Sigor
Catholic mission, Sigor
Lutheran mission, Sengelel (Sekerr)
Reformed Church of East Africa, Amolem
Lutheran mission. Chesta
127
18 Km
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

128
Health services
Level of healthcare
Various indicators are used to express the level of healthcare
in a certain area. Each of these methods has advantages and
disadvantages. A definite judgment about the level of healthcare
in West Pokot District is impossible to give. Statistics are
incomplete, the importance and effectiveness of traditional
healthcare is only partly known, the quality and reliability of
prevention and treatment offered by modern healthcare is difficult
to asses, the prevalent food situation affects the vulnerability
of people, especially children, to an unknown extent
etc.. The following remarks about the level of healthcare are
therefore not more than indications.
Traditional healthcare plays an important role in the prevention
and treatment of diseases in rural Kenya. In the available
literature, almost all written by outsiders, the magical elements
of such practices get a lot of attention. Observations
about preventive and curative practices receive little attention.
Of course, there are also examples of traditional beliefs,
which are harmful to health. Female circumcision can lead to
serious complications. Also the belief that flies around a household
indicate wealth (because they are associated with
livestock) and should therefore be left alone, is a threat to
health. The serious eye corfdition of trachoma is the direct
result of infections, caused by flies and lack of washing of the
eyes, and could be prevented. Quite a number of other practices
or beliefs exist, which are also harmful.
Traditional healthcare on the whole, however, is very important
in more remote areas of the Republic, if alone because
other facilities are far away. Interestingly, the concept of
health in traditional societies is very close to the definition by
the World Health Organisation which is: 'a state of complete
physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the
absence of disease or infirmity'. It often appears, that modern
medical care is reduced to the 'absence of disease or infirmity
7 . In traditional healing, treatment is not restricted to this
aspect. While treatment also involves physical cures, it seeks
at the same time to restore well-being to the individual and
Level of healthcare services, by location, 1982
MAP 76 a
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Number of people living
outside 6.4 km radius of
health facility*
§ 0-1000
) 1001-3000
% 3001-5000
5001-7500
Static or mobile facilities
18 km
the society in which the patient lives.
Dr. David Nyamwaya is one of the few scholars, who has
investigated the traditional healthcare system of the Pokot
He notes that about half of a number of people he intervie
wed in Lomut in 1979, do not expect help from moderr
healthcare, because they believe that their own traditiona
ways are more effective. Another ten per cent of the repon
dents was not aware at all about western medicine. Th«
remaining fourty per cent often revert to the old practices
because modern medicine is not available within walking disi
tance.
The Pokot have developed many ways to restore their sic
to health. Amongst these are a number of methods whic
have their equivalent in modern medicine, such as emetic
and purgatives. Herbs, leaves, roots, shrubs etc., provide th
ingredients for many medicines. Surgery, including surgery c
the cranium (skull) is done by specialists. Ointments an
creams are used extensively.
Apart from the physical cures, methods and ceremonie!
exist to restore a sick individual to psychological well-bëini
and to remove the ill effects that his or her sickness may hav
on society. Such ceremonies often go alongside physic«
treatment and many involve songs, clapping, spitting ani
other actions. Treatment of such nature is also given for ps\
chiatric conditions of patients.
According to Nyamwaya the Pokot people of Lomut hav
five major categories of medical experts. These are respect
vely:
Chepsakitian. The most widely known and popular spec
alist. He diagnoses and treajs most diseases. He may alsi
mediate in local disputes.
Werkoyon. Normally each clan has one Werkoyon. He i
a kind of fortune teller, who is held in great respect am
is normally approached in private. He is believed to be abd
to foretell the coming of famine and personal mishap
befalling people.
- Chepsokoyon. This is a female diviner, who is a rare typ
of specialist for matters of witchcraft.
- Keroyokyon. This expert specialises in matters of food an
medicinal use of organs of animals. He also can predic
MAP 76 b
People living outside
6 4 km radius of health facility*
as percentage of all people
per location
I I Less than 15%
I I I 30—45%
H I More than 45%
Static or mobile facilities

ealth services
the possibilities of people falling sick.
Kapolokion. He is related to matters of mental imbalance.
He is greatly feared because he manipulates the mental
health of people. He will guard the mental sanity of people
and their society.
Dart from these specialists the Pokot, as many other peo-
, have their traditional birth attendants. Nearly all children
ural areas are delivered at home and the traditional midwi-
> will attend to all matters, related to the birth of the child
i the recovery of the mother.
jring recent years, the interest in these traditional methods
d practises by the modern sector of the healthcare in
nya has increased. Some attempts have been made to
Jude the traditional birth attendants in the official health-
'e delivery system by improving their knowledge about
giene. If family planning, which very few of the district's
iidents consider important as yet, is to make any impact in
3st Pokot, the traditional birth attendant might well be
lispensable. She knows much more about the beliefs and
irs of the mothers and the customs of the society, than the
)dern trained health worker who comes most often from a
ferent part of the country.
order to bring some of the obvious advantages of modern
althcare closer to the people, and try to combine these
th worthwhile elements of traditional practice, community
alth workers may be an answer. The Catholic church,
ough Ortum hospital, started a programme of community
alth work in 1982, covering Kipkomo and Batei locations,
ro trusted persons are selected from each community. Thepersons
are given basic training in modern medical practis
and issued with a few basic drugs. They do their work
residents of the community. The first experiences with this
Dgramme, which is very cost effective and will also release
assure on dispensaries, health centres and hospitals, are
isitive.
\n attempt to calculate the level of healthcare through
lodern) static and mobile facilities in 1982 is given in Maps
ia-b. A radius of 6.4 kilometers around a health facility is
dicctcd by the Ministry of Health as the maximum distance
129
people should walk. A circle with a diameter of 6.4 kilometer
was therefore drawn around each delivery point. Then, we
calculated the number of people outside this radius. These
numbers are indicated in Map 76a. Map 76b summarizes the
percentage of all people in each location, who have to travel
further than 6.4 kilometers to reach the nearest health facility.
Of the 183 000 residents of West Pokot in 1983, 76 000 (42
per cent) were living outside a radius of 6.4 kilometers of a
delivery point. An estimated 22 000 people lived outside this
radius in Mnagei location. Other locations with a large number
of people outside the proscribed distance were Kapenguria
(18 000), Kipkomo (16 000), Lelan (15 000), Batei and Riwa
(11 000) and Alale (10 000). If we look at the percentage of
people not served within the indicated distance, we see that
Kapchok location tops the list with 85 per cent of its total
population outside 6.4 kilometers. Our calculation has assumed
that Amakuriet (Alale), Kauriong, Kasei, Kanyerus,
Orwa and Nasolot dispensaries were all operational, although
some of these were temporarily closed, while others were not
yet completed.
The above described exercise has been the basis for a development
plan for dispensaries at the following places in order
of priority: Sina, Chepkobegh, Kaptabuk, Serewa, Kokwotendwo,
Kapkecha and Kodich. By 1984 some of these facilities
were already under construction. When these facilities
will be in operation, and a few mobile clinics are added at
strategic points, the percentage of residents with reasonable
access to health facilities will increase from 58 per cent to 90
per cent. The details of coverage by location, after completion
of this plan, are shown in Maps 77a-b.
A last remark about health facilities is necessary. The distribution
of health facilities, already existing in the district, is
not always the best possible. In fact, of all 30 facilities available,
the catchment area of 16 overlap partly. In a few instances
two facilities cover exactly the same area. The Medical
Officer of Health and the District Development Committee
have the important duty to see that proposals for additional
dispensaries are carefully checked to see that these expensive
services do not duplicate in future.
evel of healthcare services, after implementation of health development plan
AP 77 a
Number of people living
outside 6.4 km radius of
health facility*
ft 0-1000
P 1001 -3000
Static or mobile facilities
18 km
MAP 77 b
People living outside
6.4 km radius of health facility'
as percentage of all people
per location
f l Less than 15%
15—30%
30—45%
Static or mobile facilities
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

130
Women groups
Co-operation of women to perform various tasks in their
communities exists since time immemorial in traditional
Pokot society. Women worked together in various
ceremonies, in harvesting, in making traditional ornaments
etc.. The transition period, when young girls graduate to
adult women through circumcision, brought large groups
together for a considerable period. During this time, the girls
were introduced into all the aspects of married life.
Formalized women groups started their existence in the
district in the 1950's. They were organized by the various missionary
organizations, extending their work in West Pokot.
Knitting and sewing were the favourite occupations of such
groups.
The governments' involvement in the organization of women
groups started in 1969 with the posting of a nutrition field
worker by the Ministry of Health. Five women groups were
formed in Mnagei location, then incorporating the present
Kapenguria location. A major project tackled by these five
women groups, was the construction of a maternity ward at
Kapenguria hospital. Partly through Harambee and partly
through an allocation from the District Development Committee
this maternity ward was officially opened on 12th June
1974. The prefabricated facility with 12 beds, a labour ward,
a mother and child health clinic and a premature unit, served
the hospital until 1980, when it was pulled down to make
room for the new Kapenguria District Hospital.
In the meantime the Special Rural Development Programme
(SRDP) gave special attention to formation and support of
women groups in Kapenguria division (which then included
Sook and Kipkomo locations of the present Chepareria division).
Staff was appointed to motivate and assist women
groups in agriculture, social services and health related
activities. Also small capital grants were made available to
women groups. About 25 women groups were formed in the
SRDP period from 1972 to 1976.
After the completion of the maternity ward, the women
groups came together again to discuss possibilities for other
TABLE 12 Women groups in West Pokot District, 1983
major projects they could undertake together. They resolve
to work towards the construction of a shop to sell their pn
duce. They also resolved to work together under the nan
Kiletat Women Group. 'Kiletat' is the Pokot name of a gra!
species, that grows up immediately after the rains. It has als
the meaning of 'Development' or the Kiswahili woi
'Maendeleo'. The KNetat shop project was finally complete
in 1983 and the women group was registered as a consume
co-operative society. Kiletat had also received assistanc
through the Child Welfare Society of Kenya. It was active
tailoring instruction, organization of seminars on childwelfai
and general assistance to affiliated member groups, wh
numbered 30 in 1983. The total number of members of thes
30 groups stood at 727 in 1983. Quite a number of ambitioi
income generating projects are planned by Kiletat Wome
Group.
Apart from Kiletat, which concentrated most of its membe
ship in the former extended Kapenguria division, oth<
groups continued to be formed. In many cases they are sur,
ported through various churches, active in the distric
Church appointed staff and community developmer
assistants, employed by the government continue to wor
with womengroups. Altogether the district had 78 womd
groups in 1983. Their distribution is indicated in Map 78 an
Table 12
The nature and level of activities of the women groups in th
district varies considerably. Some exist on paper only, whil
others are actively engaged in income generating projecl
such as posho mills, pyrethrum growing, handicraft makin
and sewing. Some operate their own shops or implemer
community projects such as watersupplies. Apart from cor
tributions from members, women groups receive assistanc
from non-governmental sources and also from the goverr
ment through the Ministry of Culture and Social Services
the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development an
the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
Number Womengroup Nu nber Womengroup Number Womengroup Number Womengroup Number Womengroup
on map on map on map on map on map
1 Kanyerus 17 Chelompoy 33 Kabichbich 49 Kachemogen 65 Keroy
2 Karenger 18 Kasongwor 34 Kalotwari 50 Ywalateke 66 Kornis
3 Kanglikwan 19 Chepareria 35 Cheparten 51 Chepkorniswo 67 Marien
4 Keringet 20 Propoi 36 Porowo 52 Cheptulel 68 M ba ra
5 Cheptuya 21 Kapchila 37 Chepkono 53 Arpolo 69 Chepnyal
6 Kaplelachkoror 22 Senenden 38 Kariamakitoi 54 Endou 70 Chepnyal
7 Nateleng 23 Chesupet 39 Kamonges 55 Otiot 71 Orwa Ref.
8 Kishaunet 24 Kamsis 40 Plalang DO (Jhesta 72 Orwa
y Longurotum 25 Kapsait 41 Psukuno 57 Parro 73 Amolem
10 Tilak 26 Kapsangar 42 Sina 58 Lomut 74 Nasolot
11 Kapenguria 27 Imenbet 43 Lain 59 Pachu 75 Lossam
12 Psigirio 28 Sarmach 44 Mokoyon 60 Ptokou 76 Kodich
13 Talau 29 Kapsangar 45 Tapach 61 Sangat 77 Timale
14 Kamariny 30 Mbayai 46 Chepon 62 Sigor 78 Kacheliba
15 Siyoi 31 Tangasia 47 Ptop 63 Wakor
16 Kamatira 32 Kaptabuk 48 Kaporowo 64 Chekoghin
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

i/omen groups in West Pokot District, 1983
MAP 78 w
©© ©
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131
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

132
Churches
Religions of many denominations played and continue to
play an important role in the social, cultural and economic
development of West Pokot District. Churches, active in
West Pokot, vary from large established Christian religions
with more than a dozen expatriate workers, such as the
Roman Catholic Church, to splinter groups from existing
foreign or indigenous churches.
In the preceeding chapters, especially in the sections about
infrastructure and social services, the role of the churches
was often mentioned. Apart from their spiritual role, which is
the vocation of any religion, we have seen that in the whole
district 28 per cent of all public services were offered by
church agencies in 1983. In some more remote locations the
church agencies even exceed the government in importance,
as far as public services is concerned. Especially in healthcare
and education, these church sponsored services are essential
for a balanced development of the district.
Map 79 is based on surveys carried out by Daystar Communications
in 1982 and indicates in which location the main
denominations have followers. We cannot guarantee the
accuracy of the survey results but think that it gives a fair
indication. Map 80 shows the distribution of the places of
worship of the main denominations in West Pokot. These
places of worship vary from big, permanent church buildings
to small semi-permanent classrooms.
Church attendance, by denomination and location, 1982
32 Km
Roman Catholic Church Associated Christian
Churches of Kenya
Reformed Church
of East Africa
Church of the Province of Kenya Church of the Rock Church African Gospel Church
MAP 79
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Among the Christian churches in West Pokot, the Church <
the Province of Kenya, successor to the Anglican Churc
whose missionaries were members of the Bible Churchmen
Missionary Society was the first to establish its presence i
the district. The Roman Catholic Church had 7 parishes i
the district in 1983, each with a number of expatriate mi!
sionaries and other church workers.
Other important missionary societies, often backed by cor
siderable funding from overseas, are the Reformed Church c
East Africa, operating from Amolem and Nasolot, th
Lutheran Church (Chesta, Chepareria, Kongelai an
Kapenguria), Associated Christian Churches of Keny
(Kiwawa and Kasei), Faith Homes of Kenya (Makutano an
Chepkorniswa), Africa Inland Mission (Amakuriet) and Fu
Gospel Church (Kapenguria).
If any reservation must be made in relation to the work c
the churches, it might be that their large number cause
competition in some cases. This in turn may lead to churche
duplicating scarce services, to attract followers. CoordinatioJ
of all development activities under the umbrella of the Distrid
Development Committee is the best remedy against this. Thi
chances that coordination can take place effectively hav
greatly improved through the launching of the District Focu
for Rural Development in July 1983.
African Inland Church
Church of Kenya
Other denominations
Evangelical Lutheran
Province of Kenya
People of a certain
denomination as percentage!
of all church attending peop
Less than 25%
25—50%
50—75%
More than 75%
no data
Source Daystar Communications
Unreached Peoples Project
1982

Denominations in West Pokot District, 1983
1AP 80
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134
BIBLIOGRAPHY
The titles listed here are a selection of official and academic
publications about West Pokot District. These texts are
available in the District Information and Documentation Centre
in Kapenguria. The District Information and Documentation
Centre also stocks a number of other publications, such
as Annual Reports, relevant for social and economic development
of the district.
Barber, J., 1968, Imperial Frontier, Nairobi
Barton, J., 1921/ Notes on the Suk Tribe of Kenya Colony', Journal of the Royal Antropological Institute, Vol. 51, pp. 81-100
Beech, M.W.H., 1911, The Suk: Their Language and Folklore, Oxford
Brasnett, J., 1958, 'The Karasuk Problem', The Uganda Journal, Vol. 22> pp. 113-122
Canfield, C, and J. Timberlake, 1979, List of Pokot Flora with Local Names, Kenya Agricultural Research Institute
Chaundy, G.H., 1939, 'Primitive Agricutural Methods of the West Suk Tribe and Some Improvements', The East African Agricultural
Journal, July 1939, pp. 23-30
Conant, F.P., 1965, 'Korok: a Variable Unit of Physical and Social Space among the Pokot of East Africa', American Anthropologist, Vol.
67, pp. 429-434
. i9'Qi( Thorns Paired, Sharply Recurved: Cultural Controls and Rangeland Quality in East Africa', Anthropology and
Desertification, B. Spooner, (ed.), London
Consolata Fathers, not dated, Pokot, Nairobi
Cotron, E., 1968, 'The Pokot or Suk', Restatement of African Law, Kenya, Vol. I, pp. 135-144
Cox, P., 1965, Amudat Story, London
Cox, P.S.V., 1972, The Disease Pattern of the Karapokot and its Relationship to the Environment and Culture, (Unpublished Thesis),
London
Crazzolara, J., 1978, A Study of the Pokot (Suk) Language (Grammar and Vocabulary), Bologna
Dietz, T, and A. van Haastrecht, 1982, Market Integration in Elgeyo Marakwet and West Pokot: Comparing Households and Locations,
Institute for Development Studies, Working Paper 392, Nairobi
, 1983, Rapid Rural Appraisal in Kenya's Wild West: Economic Change and Market Integration in A/a/e Location, West
Pokot District, Institute for Development Studies, Working Paper 396, Nairobi
Dietz, T, A. van Haastrecht, M. Schomaker, a.o, 1983-84, Locational Development Profiles (Riwa/Lower Mnagei, Alale, Kapchok, Sook,
Suam, Chemerongit-Kasei, Mwino, Lelan, Weiwei, Sekerr, Masol-Lomut-Cheptulel), Kapenguria
Docherty, A.J., 1957, 'The Karamojong and the Suk', The Uganda Journal, Vol. 21, pp. 30-40,
Dundas, K.R., 1910, 'Notes on the Tribes Inhabiting the Baringo District', Journal of the Royal Antropological Institute, Nr 40, pp. 49-72
Dyson Hudson, N., 1958, 'The Karamojong and the Suk, Notes', The Uganda Journal, Vol. 22, Nr 2, pp. 173-180
Edgerton, R.B., 1964, 'Pokot Intersexuality: an East African Example of the Resolution of Sexual Incongruity', American Anthropologist,
Vol. 66, pp. 1287-1299
- I9ß5/ 'Cultural' vs. 'Ecological' Factors in the Expression of Values, Attitudes and Personal Characteristics', American
Anthropologist, Vol. 67, Nr 2, pp. 442-7
, 1965, An Ecological View of Witchcraft in Four East African Societies, Philadelphia
, 1966, 'Conception of Psychosis in Four East African Societies', American Anthropologist, Vol. 68, pp. 408-25
,1971, The Individual in Cultural Adaptation. A Study of Four East African Peoples, California
Edgerton, R.B., and F.P. Conant, 1964, 'Kilapat, the Shaming Party among the Pokot of East Africa', Journal of Anthropology, Vol. 20,
Nr 4, pp. 404-18
Evans-Pritchard, E.E., 1940, 'The Political Structure of the Nandi-speaking Peoples of Kenya', Africa, Vol 13, pp. 250-267
Gelens, H.F., H.C.K. Kinyanjui and R.F v.d. Weg (eds.), 1976, Soils of the Kapenguria Area, Kenya Soil Survey, Report No R2, Nairobi
Government of Kenya, District Development Plan, West Pokot District 1974-78, Nairobi
( District Development Plan, West Pokot District 1979-83, Nairobi
, District Development Plan, West Pokot District 1984-88, Nairobi
Haastrecht van , A., and Schomaker, M., 1985, An Estimate of the Population Supporting Capacity of West Pokot District, Kenya:
Methodology and Results, Amsterdam
Henkel, R., 1979, Central Places in Western Kenya, Heidelberg
Hobley, C.W., 1906, 'Notes on ihe Geography and People ot the Baringo District of the East Africa Protectorate', The Geographical
Journal, No 28, pp. 471-81
Huntingford, G.W.B., 1953, 'The Southern Nilo-Hamites', Etnographic Survey of Africa, Part VIII, pp. 78-90, London
Kenya Colony, 1962, ALDEV 1946-62, Nairobi
Kerio Valley Development Authority, 1982, Regional Development Plan for the Kerio Valley Basin, Nairobi
, 1982, The Socio-Economic Impact of the Turkwel Gorge Multi-Purpose Project, Nairobi
Kogi Wambui, 1982, Nutrition and Family Health, a Brief Preliminary Study in West Pokot, AMREF, Nairobi
Kurita, K., 1983, 'Market at Chesegon Village: A Preliminary Report on Economic Activities of the Pokot and the Marakwet', Kerio Valley
Past, Present and Future, Proceedings of a Seminar held in Nairobi at the Institute of African Studies, University of Nairobi, May 21-22,
1981, pp. 61-75
Livingstone, I., 1975, Cowboys in Africa: the Socio-Economics of Ranching in Africa, Institute for Development Studies, Working Paper
220, Nairobi
Mason, P.,and A.B. Gibson, 1957, Geology of the Kalossia-Tiati Area, Geological Survey of Kenya, Report no 41, Nairobi
Mc Call, G.J.H., 1964, Geology of the Sekerr Area, Geological Survey of Kenya, Report No 65, Nairobi
Meyerhoff, E., 1981, The Socio-Economic and Ritual Roles of Pokot Women, (Ph.D. thesis) Cambridge
Meyerhoff, E., and M. Roberts, 1982, 'The Threatened Ways of Kenya's Pokot People', National Geographic, Vol'. 161, No 1
Miller, J.M., 1956, Geology of the Kitale-Cherangani Hills Area, Geological Survey of Kenya, Report No 35, Nairobi
Nyamwaya, D., 1982, Health in West Pokot, Nairobi (Unpublished Ph.D. thesis)
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

I 135
Ochieng', W.R., 1975, An Outline History of the Rift Valley, Kenya up to A.D. 1900, Nairobi
Patterson, K.D., 1969, The Pokot of Western Kenya 1910-63: the Response of a Conservative People to Colonial Rule, Syracuse
Occasional Paper, No. 53, New York
Peristiany, J.G., 1951, 'The Age-system of the Pastoral Pokot', Africa, Vol. 21, pp. 188-302
-,1954, 'Pokot Sanctions and Structure', Africa, Vol. 24, pp. 17-25
— , 1975, 'The Ideal and the Actual: the Role of Prophets in the Pokot Political System', Studies in Social Anthropology,
J.W.M. Beattie and R.G. Lienhardt (eds.), pp. 167-212, Oxford
Porter, P.H.W., 1963, 'Suk Views on Suk Environment', Annals of the Association of American Geographers, Vol. 53, pp. 615-16
Porter, W. Ph., 1964, 'The Pokot', Ecology and Subsistence Economies in East Africa, Part III, Minnesota
1965, 'Environmental Potentials and Economic Opportunities, a Background for Cultural Adaptations', American
Anthropologist, Vol. 67, pp. 409-420
Porter, Philip W., 1976, 'Climate and Agriculture in East Africa', Contemporary Africa, CG. Knight and J.L. Newman (eds.), pp. 112-39
Price, A., 1970, God in the Valley, London
Reynolds, J.E., 1982, Community Underdevelopment, Ethnicity and Stratification'in a Rural Destination: Mnagei, Kenya, (Ph.D. thesis)
Washington
Schneider, H.K., 1953, The Pakot (Suk) of Kenya with Special Reference to the Role of Livestock in their Subsistence Economy
1 1955/ The Moral System of the Pakot', Vergilius Ferm: Encyclopedia of Morals, New York
, 1956, 'The Interpretation of Pokot Visual Art', Man, pp. 103-6
, 1957, 'The Subsistence Role of Cattle among the Pokot in East Africa', American Anthropologist, Vol.59, pp. 278-300
, 1959, 'Pokot Resistance to Change', Continuity and Change in African Cultures, H. Bascom and M. Herskovits (eds.),
Chicago
, 1967, 'Pokot Folktales, Humor and Values', Journal of the Folklore Institute, Vol. 4, Nr. 4, pp. 265-318
, 1981, 'Livestock as Food and Money', The Future of Pastoral Peoples, pp. 210-23, Ottawa
ranaka, J., 1980, 'Residential Pattern and Livestock Management Among the Pastoral Pokot', A Study of Ecological Anthropology on
Pastoral and Agropastoral Peoples in Northern Kenya, J. Tanaka (ed.)
anno, T, 1980, 'A Study of the Ecological Anthropology of the Upland Pokot, Western Kenya', A Study of Ecological Anthropo/y on
Pastoral and Agropastoral Peoples in Northern Kenya, J. Tanaka (ed.)
escaroli, C, 1979, The Karapokot, a Waiting People, World Mission Vol.30, pp. 28-33
btty, L.H., G.H. Chaundy and G. Huntingford, 1944 (reprint 1952) , The People and District of West Suk, Nairobi
'isser, J.J., 1982, Towards a Missionary Approach among the Pokot, Zandijk
Valsh. J.. 1966. Geology of Karasuk Area. Geoloaical Survev of Kenva. Report No 72. Nairobi
Vidstrand, CG., 1973, 'Pastoral Peoples and Rural Development, a Case Study', Annales Academiae Regiae Scientiarum Upsaliensis, No
17, Stockholm
adeta, Girma, 1985, Dynamic Processes of Development in Marginal Lands, A Case Study from the Pokot of North West Kenya, (PhD
thesis). The Royal University of Lund
District Atias West Pokot, 1985

136
INDEX
adult education 117-120
African District Council 49
African Inland Church (AIC) 108-9. 123, 132-3
African Land Development (ALDEV) 49, 80
agegroup see: population
agro climatic zones 24-5
airfields 92-3
altitude 14-5
Anglo German Agreement 44
Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASAL) Development Programme 80
Associated Christian Churches of Kenya 108-9, 122-3, 127, 132-33
bananas 61, 63-5
banks 92-3
bars 94-5, 98-9
beans 62
Bible Churchmen's Missionary Society (BCMS) 106, 132
boarding and lodging 94-5, 98-9
boreholes 84-7
boundaries
divisions 45
international 44
locations 45-7
sublocations 46-7
bus service 91
business see: licensed business
butchers 94-5, 98-9
camels 65-7
carrying capacity 59
cassava 63
catchments 16
cattle 65-70
cattle complex 57
cattle rustling 66, 92, 107
census see: population
Certificate of Primary Examination (CPE) 115, 120
Chaundy GH 57, 80
child mortality 122
Child Welfare Society 130
Church of the Province of Kenya (CPK) 106, 108-9, 116, 121, 132-3
churches 102-3. 106, 108-9, 117, 122, 130, 132-3
citrus fruits 60-65
closed district 49
coffee 60, 62, 64
Contagious Caprine Pleuro Pneumonia (CCPP) 66
Contagious Bovine Pleuro Pneumonia (CBPP) 66, 68, 70
cotton 63
County Council of Pokot 6, 48, 73, 94, 95, 97
crop development 61
cropping pattern 58
dams 70-1, 80-1
demography see: population
dips 69-70, 82-3
diseases 122
District Development Committee 72-3, 81, 89-, 130, 132
District Development Plan 66
District Focus for Rural Development 49-50, 81, 132
District Hospital 122-5
District Land Board 54
drainage 16-7
dry season grazing 65-6
East Coast Fever 68-70
East Suk 45
ecological potential 24
education
adult 117-20
examinations 115, 120
history 106-7
polytechnics 121
primary 106-15
secondary i06, llb-7
special 121
teachers 113-4, 116
electricity 92
electoral wards 48
Enrolled Community Nurse Training 122
erosion 28-9, 64, 66, 76-7
European settlement 33, 61
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya 108-9, 123, 127, 132-33
evaporation 21
Faith Homes of Kenya 108-9, 123, 132-3
Family Life Training Centre 121
famine relief 40, 110
farming
modern 54, 57
systems 57-8
traditional 57
fingermillet 58-9, 61-3
Foot and Mouth Disease 68, 70
forest 64, 73, 76-7
fruits 58, 60-5
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985
Full Gospel Church of Kenya 127. 132-3
furrows 57, 64-5
gazetted forest area 73
geology 18-9
goats 65-70
gold 20, 64. 72
groundnuts 63-5
groundwater 84
groupranch 56
handpumps 84-7
headquarters
district 45
division 45
healthcare see: medical facilities
health centres 122-3
history
boundaries 44-7
development projects 80
education 106-7
events 34
government establishment 49-51
population 32-4
Pokot settlement 32-3
holding grounds 70-1
honey 68, 72
hospitals 122-5
hotel 94-5. 98-9
Integrated Agricultural Development Programme (IADP) 63, 72
irrigation 57, 61, 64-5
Kalenjin 32-3
Karamojong 33, 44, 54
Kara Suk 32, 45
Kenya Society for the Blind 126
Kenyatta, Jomo 80, 116
Kerio Valley Development Authority 20. 62-3. 65, 80, 92
kok wo 64
land adjudication 54-6
Landsat 76
Legislative Council 48
licensed business 94-5, 98-9
livestock
distribution 67
diseases 66, 68, 70
marketing 70-1
numbers 76-8
Local Native Council 48
Lutheran Church see; Evangelical Lutheran Church of Kenya
magazines 96
maize
introduction in the district 61
irrigation 64-5
planting, harvesting 59
irrigation 64-5
markets 33, 94-5
market centres 94-5
matatu 91
medical facilities
dispensaries 122-4
hospitals 122-5
health centres 122-4
mobile clinics 126-7
traditional health care 128-9
metamorphism 18
migration 33, 39, 40
millet 61-2
microwave 92-3
milk 66, 68, 72
minerals 20
missions see: churches
moblie clinics 126-7
mobile eye clinics 126
Moi, Daniel Arap 48, 110
Nasolot National Park 73-4
National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) 62
newspapers 96
orthography 6
Ortum Mission Hospital 122-5
outpatients 122, 124
parliamentary constituencies 48
pastoralism see: semi-nomadic pastoralism
petrol station 91-2
physical development plans 97, 100-1
Pi po tich 33, 54
Pi po pogh 33, 54
Pochon 32
1

NDEX
lOlice 92-3
lostal services 92-3
lopulation
age groups, composition 39, 40-1
census 35-41
development, growth 35, 38, 41
density 35-7
distribution 37
migration 40
projection 41
sex ratio 40
in townships 97
osho mill 94-5, 98-9
otatoes 63
otential land use 58
rimary schools 106-15
ublic transport 91
lyrethrum 63, 72
uarantaine 70
ïilways 91
äinfall 21-3
leformed Church of East Africa (RCEA) 108-9, 122-3, 127, 132-3
älief 14
îligions see: churches
linderpest 68
vers 16-7, 84
jads 87-9
Dad distances 90
jad maintenance camps 89
loman Catholic Church 106, 108-9, 116, 122-3, 127, 132-3
lural Access Roads Programme (RARP) 87-9
lural Development Fund (RDF) 81-3
iapana 66
latellites 76
ichool enrolment 110-2, 116
secondary schools 106, 116, 117
«mi-nomadic pstoralism 33, 40, 57, 65-6, 76-7, 84, 86
ervice level 102-3
:heep 65-70
ihops 94-5, 98-9
îirikwa County Council 48
deeping sickness 65, 68, 70
Smallholder Coffee Improvement Project (SCIP) 64
ioil conservation 57, 80, 82-3
oils 26-7
iorghum 61-2
Special Rural Development D rogramme (SRDP) 49, 56, 63, 72, 80, 117, 130
ipelling 6
itaff (government) 49, 50-1
>uk 32, 45, 57
lunflower 63
Survev of Kenva 5
feachers
adult education 117-9
primary school 113-4
secondary school 16
trained 113-4
elecommunication 92-3
elephone 92-3
icks 68-9
iliantan 66
opography
district 7
divisions 8-11
Kapenguria township 98
Kenya 4
Makutano township 99
Survey of Kenya maps 5
ourism 73
own centres 97-101
raditional health care 122, 128-9
ree nurseries 73-4, 82-3
setse flies 65. 68
rurkana 32-3, 45, 49, 54, 65, 76
rurkwel Gorge 73, 76-7, 92
mtrained teachers 113-4
'illage Polytechnic 121
Vasuk see: Suk
/ater supply 82-7
/holesale trade 94-5, 98
/ildlife 73-4
/omen groups 130-1
/ool 66, 72
ebu see: cattle
137
District Atlas West Pokot, 1985

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