Eldoret

Eldoret, town, western Kenya, located on the Uasin Gishu Plateau west of the Great Rift Valley (in the East African Rift System). Situated at an elevation of 6,857 feet (2,090 metres) above sea level, it has a healthful climate that attracted many European settlers during the colonial period. It serves an agricultural area; the chief crops are corn (maize), wheat, and pyrethum (a plant used in manufacturing insecticides). Cattle raising in the vicinity is important. Local industries include flour-milling and food-processing plants. Eldoret is a rail stop on the line running northwest into Uganda. It is the seat of a Roman Catholic bishopric and is home to Moi University (1984). Pop. (1999) 167,016; (2009) 252,061.