Iten (Kenya)

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Iten
Basic data
county Elgeyo-Marakwet County
Residents (state) 42,312 pop (2009)
height 2400  m
Post Code 30700
mayor Alex Tolgos
Coordinates 0 ° 40 ′  N , 35 ° 30 ′  E Coordinates: 0 ° 40 ′  N , 35 ° 30 ′  E
Iten (Kenya)
Iten
Iten

Iten is a city in Elgeyo-Marakwet County in the west of the Republic of Kenya and has 42,312 inhabitants (2009). The city is 2400 meters above sea level and is the capital of the Elgeyo-Marakwet County, which was part of the Rift Valley Province until 2013 (municipal reorganization). The city is located 25 km northeast of Eldoret , on the road (C 51) between Eldoret and Kabarnet at the junction in the direction of Kapsowar . The capital Nairobi is 320 km southeast of Iten. The Elgeyo Escarpment and the Kerio River are east of Iten.

Surname

The name Iten is derived from "Hill Ten" (Hill Ten) and comes from the discoverer Joseph Thomson (1883). The hill is 800 m outside the village on the road to Kessup. It can best be observed from the Iten viewpoint.

geography

location

Geologically is Iten directly on the Great African grave breach (English Great Rift Valley or the East African Rift System (EARS)). This can be seen east of the city, where the Elgeyo Escarpment , a fracture step, is located, which was created by post-Miocene faults and can be seen in the Miocene layers. This stratum is part of the west wall of the Great African Rift Valley.

Iten is located in western Kenya about 150 km east of the Ugandan border. Lake Victoria is 130 km to the southeast and Mount Elgon National Park is 80 km to the northeast. Nairobi is 320 km away and can be reached either by car or by plane (via Eldoret).

traffic

Iten's infrastructure is not very advanced. Most of the roads and local connections run over red-sand paths. Some roads and paths become impassable when it rains. There is only one paved (tarred) road through Iten. Coming from the south, the C 51 (Keiro Valley Road) runs from Eldoret (25 km in the southwest) to the center of Iten. There, they turn to the east (Iten-Kessup Road) before several switchbacks south towards Kessup and Tambach down leads. The C 51 then runs through the Kerio Valley into the Kerio Valley National Park to Kabarnet in neighboring Baringo County . To the north, a road leads to Singore.

Administration, hospitals, schools, post office

Iten's administration building (Town Council), the county administration (Elgeyo-Marakwet County Assembly) and the district court (The Judiciary - Law Courts) are located in the city center. There are two hospitals: the Iten County Referral Hospital and the Iten District Hospital. The place also has a nursing school (KMTC Iten). There is an elementary school and a middle school (Secondary School, St. Patrick's High School) and two post offices.

Time zone

Iten is located in western Kenya and therefore belongs to the time zone East African Time (EAT - UTC-offset = +3)

climate

Iten is roughly at the level of the equator and therefore in the tropical climate zone at 2400 m asl (Eldoret: 2000 m). So there are no seasons. The temperatures vary on average between a minimum of 9.4 ° C and a maximum of 25.8 ° C. Every year, an average of 110 rainy days fall between 400 and 1400 mm of precipitation per square meter.

Climate table

Eldoret (approx. 25 km southwest of Iten)
Climate diagram
J F. M. A. M. J J A. S. O N D.
 
 
36
 
25th
9
 
 
42
 
26th
10
 
 
66
 
26th
11
 
 
154
 
24
12
 
 
121
 
24
11
 
 
94
 
23
9
 
 
162
 
22nd
10
 
 
175
 
22nd
10
 
 
82
 
23
9
 
 
49
 
24
10
 
 
57
 
23
11
 
 
44
 
24
10
Temperature in ° C ,  precipitation in mm
Source: Kenya Meteorological Department, data: 1961–1990
Monthly average temperatures and precipitation for Eldoret (approx. 25 km southwest of Iten)
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Max. Temperature ( ° C ) 25.0 25.8 25.8 24.1 23.6 22.9 21.8 21.9 23.3 23.9 23.2 23.6 O 23.7
Min. Temperature (° C) 9.4 9.6 10.6 11.8 10.8 9.3 9.8 9.6 9.0 10.2 10.8 9.9 O 10.1
Precipitation ( mm ) 36 42 66 154 121 94 162 175 82 49 57 44 Σ 1,082
Rainy days ( d ) 4th 5 6th 13 12 9 17th 16 8th 8th 8th 4th Σ 110
T
e
m
p
e
r
a
t
u
r
25.0
9.4
25.8
9.6
25.8
10.6
24.1
11.8
23.6
10.8
22.9
9.3
21.8
9.8
21.9
9.6
23.3
9.0
23.9
10.2
23.2
10.8
23.6
9.9
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
N
i
e
d
e
r
s
c
h
l
a
g 		36
42
66
154
121
94
162
175
82
49
57
44
  Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Source: Kenya Meteorological Department, data: 1961–1990

population

The entire Elgeyo-Marakwet County has 370,000 inhabitants (according to the 2009 census; projection for 2016: 446,000), which corresponds to around 1 percent of the total Kenyan population (38.6 million). The annual population growth is 2.7-2.8 percent. The county has a very young population: 46 percent are under 15 years old and only 4 percent are over 65 years old. Iten itself had around 42,300 inhabitants in 2009.

The Kalendjin population is native to Iten and the Rift Valley. Their total number is around 4.9 million members (2009) and they speak Kalenjin, Swahili, English or other South Nilotic languages. This makes them Kenya's fourth largest ethnic group.

Denomination

Approx. 82 percent of the population are Christians , of which 47 percent are Protestants , 26 percent Anglicans and 23 percent Catholics . Muslim Kenyans make up 11 percent, one percent are followers of traditional natural religions .

politics

Iten is in 2010 Elgeyo-Marakwet County and belongs to the constituency of Keiyo North (No. 148). This has an area of ​​804 km² and a population of 108,474 people. In addition to Iten, the Kapchemutwa constituency includes the following places: Korkitony, Kendur, Kapkatui, Bugar, Kapkonga, Singore, Kapkessum, Chebokokwa and Mindililwa. The constituency is represented by James Murgor (United Republican Party / Jubilee coalition).

Government Offices in Elgeyo-Marakwet County (2013-2017 Electoral Period)

  • Governor: Alex Tanui Tolgos
  • Vice-Governor: Gabriel Kosgey Lagat
  • Senator: Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen
  • Secretary: vacant
  • Members of Parliament Marakwet West: William K. Kisang, Kangogo Bowen
  • Members of Parliament Keiyo North: Dr. James Murgor, Jackson Kiptanui
  • Members of Parliament - representative of the county in the state parliament: Dr. Susan Kipketer Chebet
  • Other representatives: Morris Rotich (departments of education and public relations and transport), Anne Kibosia (departments of trade, energy and tourism)

Government Offices in Elgeyo-Marakwet County (2018 election period)

  • Governor: Alex Tanui Tolgos
  • Lieutenant Governor: Wisley Rotich
  • Senator: Onesimus Kipchumba Murkomen
  • Secretary: NN
  • Members of Parliament Marakwet West: William Kisang, Kangogo Bowen
  • Members of Parliament Keiyo North: James Murgor, Daniel Rono
  • Members of Parliament - representatives of the county in the state parliament: NN
  • Women's representative: Jane Jepkorir Kiptoo Chebaibai

Members of the Iten community council

  • Michael Chesikari (Chairman), Lilian Chesire (Vice Chairman),
  • Members: Joseph Maswan, Kimutai Chemutei, Kenneth Kemboi, Rose Kimoi, Barsosio K. Abraham (Environment), Robert K Kilimo
  • Raymond Omonei (Secretary / Municipality Board Manager), Chelimo Suter

Attractions

  • The viewpoint (Iten Viewpoint) offers a great view of the valley of the Kerio (Kerio Valley). To the east are the Tugen Hills , which run parallel to the Keiyo Escarpment . In the north the Tiati can be seen in the shape of a pyramid, which is venerated as a sacred mountain for the Pokot . The Kerio River meanders through the valley 1,000 m below. The place is 500 m outside of Iten on the C 51 towards Kabarnet .

Athletics Center

The St. Patrick's High School in Iten is known to those interested in sports all over the world, as the school has produced numerous long-distance runners who are among the best in the world over the past thirty years.

One of St. Patrick's students is Ibrahim Hussein , who won the Boston Marathon three times and the New York City Marathon once . Even Peter Rono comes from Iten, won the 1988 Olympic gold over 1500 meters. Wilson Boit Kipketer from Iten became world champion in 1997 and in 2000 he won silver in the 3000 meter obstacle course. The coach of many Kenyan athletes was the Irish clergyman Colm O'Connell, who became known as "the Godfather of Kenyan running" (roughly: "the godfather of Kenyan running").

The city is home to the High Altitude Training Center (HATC), founded in 1999 by Lornah Kiplagat and Pieter Langerhorst, where altitude training can be completed all year round .

Runners from Europe also have their training camp lasting several weeks in the Iten or Eldoret athletics centers because of the many performance groups and the high level of performance . The Swiss runner Julien Wanders , European record holder with 59:13 minutes in the half marathon , currently ranked 46th on the all-time best list (as of June 10, 2020), lives and trains most of the year in Iten.

Itens is awarded by the World Athletics Federation (IAAF)

In 2019, Iten in Yokohama was awarded the prestigious plaque of the International Federation of Athletics Federations (IAAF) by IAAF President Sebastian Coe as one of 11 locations . Iten was celebrated for his outstanding contribution to the global history and development of athletics. "The eleven recipients we are honoring tonight have each had an enormous impact on the historical development of athletics in their countries and beyond," said Sebastian Coe. Two famous cross-country skiing centers in Africa were honored among the eleven locations. These were the Ethiopian city of Bekoji , "Town of Runners", and Iten in Kenya, the "home of champions".

Personalities

  • Renato Canova (* 1944) - Italian athletics coach ( Mo Farah , Wilson Kipsang , Saif Saaeed Shaheen , Florence Kiplagat , Thomas Pkemei Longosiwa , Emmanuel Kipchirchir Mutai , Lisa Hahner ...)
  • Mike Boit (* 1949) - Kenyan middle-distance runner (800/1500 m), Africa champion, bronze in Munich 1972 , attended St. Patrick's High School until 1969, trained as a runner in Iten
  • Brother Colm O'Connell (* 1949) - Irish missionary and trainer of numerous Kenyan runners, also known as "the Godfather of Kenyan running" (for example: "the godfather of Kenyan running")
  • Ibrahim Hussein (* 1958) - Kenyan marathon runner, two Olympic participants, (Boston Marathon, New York City Marathon ...) attended St. Patrick's High School in Iten
  • Peter Kipchumba Rono (* 1967) - Kenyan middle distance runner, Olympic champion over 1,500 m, attended St. Patrick's High School in Iten
  • Matthew Kiprotich Birir (* 1972) - Kenyan long-distance runner, Olympian, attended St. Patrick's High School in Iten
  • Wilson Boit Kipketer (* 1973) - Kenyan long-distance runner (world champion 3,000 m obstacle)
  • Lornah Kiplagat (* 1974) - track and field athlete and Olympic participant (10,000 meter run: Olympics 2004 and 2008)
  • Sally Barsosio (* 1977) - athlete and Olympic participant (1993 to 2000 - 1997 world champion over 10,000 m )
  • Edna Kiplagat (* 1979) - track and field athlete and Olympic participant (two-time world champion in marathon running)
  • Asbel Kiprop (* 1979) - athlete (middle distance) and Olympic participant (Beijing: gold over 1500 m, 3 times world champion over 1500 m)
  • Peter Kiprotich Cherus (1979-2011), Kenyan long-distance runner (1999-2009; marathon, half marathon, 10,000 m)
  • Saif Saaeed Shaheen , birth name Stephen Cherono (* 1982), Qatari long-distance runner of Kenyan origin, world record holder (3000 m obstacle course - two-time world champion)
  • Mary Keitany (* 1982) - track and field athlete and Olympic participant (multiple winner of the London Marathon and RAK Half Marathon ; world record holder for the marathon route)
  • Wilson Kipsang (* 1982) - track and field athlete and Olympic participant (half marathon world champion)
  • Florence Kiplagat (* 1987) - track and field athlete and Olympic participant (multiple winner of the Berlin Marathon , the London Marathon , half marathon world champion , cross country world champion)
  • Joyce Chepkirui (* 1988) - track and field athlete and Olympic participant (African champion; half marathon, marathon)
  • David Rudisha (* 1988) - athlete and Olympic participant (world record holder over 500 and 800 m)
  • Paul Chelimo (* 1990) - athlete and Olympic participant (silver medal in Rio de Janeiro 2016 over 5000 m)
  • Joan Chelimo Melly (* 1990) is a Kenyan long-distance runner (10,000 m, half marathon, marathon)
  • Jorum Okombo (* 1997) is a Kenyan long-distance runner, half marathon in 58:48 min.


Gallery with pictures from Iten

  • View of "Hill Ten" (Iten)

  • Entrance to Iten

  • View from Iten to the Kerio

  • Iten View Point

  • Surroundings of the Iten highlands

  • St. Patrick's High School entrance

  • Stadium Iten

  • Wall of Honor for St. Patrick's High School athletes

  • A tree in honor of a former student

literature

  • John Bale: Kenyan Running: Movement Culture, Geography, and Global Change. Frank Cass, London 1996. ISBN 0-7146-4684-9
  • Jan Fitschen , wonder runner country Kenya. The secrets of the world's most successful long-distance runners , (Narayana-Verlag) Kandern 2015. ISBN 9-783944-125473. (Book about Fitschen's high-altitude training camp in Iten and his assessment of why East African runners have dominated the world's best in long-distance running for years.)

Web links

Commons : Iten  - collection of images, videos and audio files

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ For the climate see: crakenya.org (English).
  2. ↑ Kenya Meteorological Department: Climatic Information Eldoret (25 km southwest of Iten). World Meteorological Organization, accessed October 27, 2012 .
  3. ↑ Data from the census from 2009 , from: de.scribd.com (English).
  4. ↑ See J. Fitschen: Wunderläuferland Kenia , p. 286
  5. ↑ Source: [1] from: softkenya.com. (English)
  6. ↑ Members of the Iten parish council, taken from: March 24, 2020
  7. ^ With a bucket of water to Boston. In: Der Tagesspiegel . December 4, 2013 ( tagesspiegel.de ).
  8. ^ John Bale: Kenyan Running: Movement Culture, Geography, and Global Change. Frank Cass, London 1996. ISBN 0-7146-4684-9
  9. ↑ Portrait of Run with Sung Brother Colm in Iten, Kenya, coach of Rhonex Kipruto, David Rudisha and numerous champions (1/2) , 62:16 min, YouTube, taken from: March 25, 2020.
  10. ↑ [2] Report by Linus Siele from May 25, 2019, taken from: March 24, 2020
  11. ^ [3] Ian O'Riordan (The Irish Times): Brother Colm O'Connell regrets tainting of Kenyan distance running. 71-year-old has been given the World Athletics Coaching Achievement award for 2019 - Report of the O'Connell honoring on November 25, 2019, taken from: March 24, 2020.
  12. ↑ Short profile on ARRS , accessed on March 19, 2020 (English).