Baringo County Profile
Baringo is one of the 14 Counties in the rift valley region, with headquarters located in Kabarnet, Baringo Central Sub County. Kabarbet is approximately 140km and 295 km from Nakuru and Nairobi respectively. The county is mainly inhabited by the Tugen community with the minority community of Ichamus. Agriculture is the backbone of the County’s Economy, accounting for approximately 58 percent of GCP. Crop farming is mainly practiced in Eldama Ravine and highlands of Baringo North Sub County, with significant horticultural farming in Marigat Sub-County.
Tourism is also a major income-generating activity for the county because of the many tourist attraction sites. The Kerio Valley, located in the county’s western region, is one of its most notable features. The tectonic and volcanic disturbances that have caused surface displacement and the formation of distinct ridges are responsible for the formation of the Rift Valley floor. Both Lake Baringo and Bogoria are in the rift’s troughs that run north-south. Because it is one of the few hot saltwater lakes in the world, has several hot springs, and serves as a flamingo feeding place, Lake Bogoria is very breathtaking. The freshwater lake known as Lake Baringo is home to crocodiles and hippopotamuses. Elephants and crocodiles call Lake Kamnarok, an Oxbow Lake, home.
According to the 2019 census the county has a population of 666,763, comprising 330,428 females and 336,322 males. About two percent of the population is living with disability and this is according to the 2019 census analytical report.
The county is one of the largest counties in Kenya covering 11,075 km2. It is divided into seven subcounties; Baringo Central, Baringo North, East Pokot, Koibatek, Marigat, Mogotio and Tiaty East.
With a Multidimensional Poverty Level of 60.3% compared to 53.0% nationwide and a 1.7% contribution to the national poverty, Baringo County is one of Kenya’s most deprived counties. Multifaceted poverty is determined by one’s capacity to provide for oneself, obtain decent housing, maintain good health, and educate children.
According to the KDHS 2022 the county has a total fertility rate of 4.4 against the national figure of 3.4, it also has the percentage of teenage pregnancy 15-19 at 20% against the national figure which is at 15%. The use of modern contraceptives among married women age 15 – 49 is 48% against the national figure at 57%, unmet need for FP among the same group stands at 17% against the national figure which is 14% and the demand for FP satisfied by the modern methods among married women 15-49 is 62% against the national 75%.
The county had 83% of its deliveries conducted by a skilled provider against 89% for the national, 49% of the women age 15-49 who had live births had 4+ antenatal visits with 83% of women age 15-49 having postnatal check during the first two days after birth. Children age 12-23 months fully vaccinated stand at 85% against the 80% national figure. The neonatal mortality rate for the county stands at 33 deaths per 1000 live births with the infant mortality rate being 50 deaths per 1000 live births.
Thirty eight percent of the women age 15-49 have ever experienced physical violence since the age 15 with 20% of women age 15-49 having experience physical violence in the last 12 months. Eight percent of women age 15-49 have experienced sexual violence with six percent having experienced sexual violence in the las 12 months. Thirty three percent of women age 15-49 have experienced intimate partner violence with 27% having experienced the same in the last 12 months.
