ELGEYO ESCARPMENT

It is a very spectacular viewpoint overlooking the Kerio valley. It is also the access road to some waterfalls. It is a good two hour drive from Ortum. The Elgeyo Escarpment was once a forbidden area where undesirable members of society were sent to die. It was also a common burial ground when families did not bury their dead, but threw the bodies into the dense forest to be eaten by wild animals. It is also said that old people, tired of living, would throw themselves off the steep cliffs. A very dark history for this jewel of the region. Fortunately, times have changed. The beliefs and practices of yesterday are no longer those of today and the escarpment has regained the esteem of its inhabitants and the value it deserves. Many investors have seen it as a gold mine. In ten years, the selling price of an acre of land has risen from 100,000 shillings to 3-5 million shillings, depending on the location. The number of visitors is increasing. Kenyans themselves like to come here to get some height, enjoy the view of the Kerio Valley, the clean air and the cool temperatures. The site is also famous for the athletes who regularly come here to train. Some of them have even settled in the area and built beautiful homes. The area is also a great place for paragliding, which attracts paragliders from all over the world.