Kericho

Kericho is a green highland town in southwestern Kenya, best known as the centre of the country's tea industry. Perched at around 2,000 metres on the edge of the Mau Forest and west of the Rift Valley, the town is surrounded by rolling tea estates that shape its economy, landscape and daily rhythm.

Tea has defined Kericho since the colonial era, when large plantations were established on the fertile, well-watered slopes. Today the region remains one of Kenya's most important tea-producing areas, with estates, factories and smallholder farms supplying the national and export markets.

The town itself is compact and walkable, with landmarks such as Uhuru Garden, Sacred Heart Cathedral, the Guru Nanak gurdwara and several arboretums including Chagaik and Tagabi. These green spaces offer quiet breaks among mature trees and views over the surrounding plantations.

Kericho serves as the administrative headquarters of Kericho County and a commercial hub for agriculture, banking, retail and transport along the busy route between Nakuru and Kisumu. Its cool climate, fresh tea and relaxed pace draw both business travellers and visitors exploring the western highlands.

For travellers, Kericho is a practical base for seeing Kenya's tea country, with easy road connections to Kisumu, Nakuru and the Mau Forest. It offers a quieter, highland alternative to the larger cities while remaining well connected for onward journeys.