Kapsowar

Kapsowar is a small town in the Rift Valley Province, Kenya. In 1994 Kapsowar became the headquarters of the Marakwet District. Prior to this, the Marakwet and Keiyo tribes were collectively grouped into the Elgeiyo-Markwet District. The Marakwet number approximately 200,000 and a part of the Kalenjin family of tribes, which collectively are the second largest ethnic group in Kenya.

The town is located between the Kerio Valley and the Cherangani Hills and sits at an elevation of 7,500 feet (2,300 meters). The land surrounding Kapsowar is very fertile and the elevation creates a mild climate with a temperature range of 70-85 ºF (21-29 ºC). Kapsowar has a population of 9152 (1999 Census, total population of the Kapsowar location) [http://www.worldbank.org/research/povertymaps/kenya/ch5.3.5.pdf] . AIC Kapsowar Hospital, established by Africa Inland Mission in 1933, is largely responsible for the degree of development presently seen in Kaposwar.

Most of the population of Kapsowar are the Marakwet, a Kalenjin sub tribe. The original inhabitants in Kapsowar originate from different clans. Among the most prominent clans are Kapterik, Talai and Kapswahili. Kapswahili clan was originally immigrants from Tanzania who got more or less absorbed by the Kapterik clan.They still have largely swahili names but have greatly intermarried. The Talai and Kapterik are rivaling clans with the former being majorly protestant and the latter catholic. They also tend to support rival candidates in parliamentary and civic elections.