Uasin Gishu is one of the 47 counties of Kenya, located in the former Rift Valley Province.
The county’s capital which is also the largest population center as well as an administrative and commercial center is Eldoret town.
Uasin Gishu County is located on a plateau and has a cool and temperate climate. It borders 6 counties – Trans-Nzoia County to the north, Elgeyo-Marakwet and Baringo counties to the east, Kericho county to the south, Nandi county to the south, south-west and Kakamega county to the west.
Uasin Gishu is a name that comes from the Illwuasin-kishu Maasai clan. The land was the grazing area of the clan but they surrendered it to the colonial government in the Anglo-Maasai agreement of 1911 and were subsequently pushed towards Trans Mara District. The plateau that they once occupied was then registered in its Anglicized version, Uasin Gishu
Currently, with the formation of IEBC (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission), Uasin Gishu was divided newly into sub-counties and wards. It has a total of six sub-counties namely Turbo – with a Total of six wards, Kesses – With a Total of four wards, Moiben – With a Total of Five wards, Kapseret – with a total of five wards, Ainabkoi and Soy – With a Total of Seven wards.
Uasin Gishu has 300 kilometers of tarmac roads, 549 kilometers of murram roads, and 377 kilometers of earth roads. It also has 17 kilometers of railway line with 8 railway stations in addition to an inland container depot. The Eldoret International Airport and two airstrips are also located in the county, all combining to make it the region’s service hub.
The county has several universities including Moi University and the University of Eldoret, which have their main campuses in the county. Several technical and vocational institutes are also located in the county, including Eldoret National Polytechnic, Rift Valley Technical Training Institute, Kipkabus Technical Training Institute, Moiben Technical Training Institute, Kosyin Technical Training Institute, Chebororwa Agricultural Training Center, Tumaini and Technical Training Institute, amongst others.
