Kericho - City of Kenya

Kericho is a Kenyan district located to the South West of the country and lies within the highlands west of The Great Rift Valley. The capital of the district is Kericho town. The district home to the best of Kenyan Tea which is world famous for its brightness, attractive color, brisk flavor and textures of fragrant leaves. The district is also home to some of the world's best long distance runners among whom have repeatedly won gold medals in international events.

Kericho is the home town of the Kipsigis people, who are a part of the Kalenjin people. The Kipsigis are rated some of the most hospitable and courteous people in the country The Kipsigis just like their Kalenjin counterparts are well known to be good in Athletics. Such athletes as Kipchoge Keino have brought great victory during World Athletic Competitions. The Kipsigis is one of the communities in Kenya that still hold their cultural values dearly.

The origin of towns name has not been established. One theory is that it was home to the region's first public hospital, built by the British at the dawn of the 20th century. Medicine in the local Kipsigis language is referred to as Kerichek. Another theory is that the town was originally home of a medicine man named KipKerich.

Kenya Highlands Bible College - run by the Africa Gospel Church, it offers degree courses in Theology, Computer Science and Education. Kericho Teachers Training College - recently began offering degree courses under agreement with Moi University. Kenya Forestry College - Londiani Kenya Institute of Management Kericho Institute of Professional Studies Eland College - Kabarak University and Eland Schools are jointly running Diploma and Bridging courses being offered at Eland, located next to the stadium.

Niskam Saint Puran Singh Institute located behind the GNNSJ Gurdwara.

High Schools in Kericho

There are many schools in Kericho including some of the following:
Kericho High School
Kipsigis Girls High School
Kabianga High School
Sosiot Girls Secondary School
Kericho Day Secondary School
Kericho Tea Secondary School
Moi Tea Girls High School
Cheptenye High School
Moi Sitotwet High School
Londiani High School
Londiani Girls High School
Kipchimchim Secondary School
Kaptebeswet Secondary School
Torsogek Secondary School
Eland Girls High School
Kapmaso Day Secondary School
Kabokiek Adventist Secondary School
Soliat Boys Secondary School
Chemamul Secondary School
Koiwalelach Girls Secondary School
Kakibei Secondary School
Mercy Girls Secondary School
Kaborok Secondary School
Kiptere Secondary School
St Thomas Mindililwet Secondary School
Milimani Secondary School
Kipsolu Secondary School

Religion

Kericho residents are mostly Christians. The most widespread church is the Africa Gospel Church which has affiliations with The World Gospel Mission of the USA. The church has the biggest church in the district in the town and heart centers at Cheptenye, Chepkutung, Keongo, Kipkelion, Londiani, Kabianga and Kaptebeswet.

The other churches present in the district include AIC, Catholic Church, Anglican Church, SDA, Full Gospel and a host of Independent churches.

Kericho is also home to Africa's largest Gurudwara or Sikh place of worship. It is a monument, dedicated to the memory of "Baba Puran Singh Ji of Kericho" who was the founder of the international charitable organisation, Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha which promotes the spirit and practice of selfless service in the name of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of the Sikh faith. The site has been gazetted by the Government of Kenya as a place of spiritual significance.