Lembus in Eldama Ravine Constituency: Area Profile, Property Market, and Infrastructure Development

Lembus represents a significant area within Eldama Ravine Constituency, characterized by its rich cultural heritage, growing infrastructure, and evolving real estate market. This report provides a comprehensive overview of this region, focusing on geographic facts, property market trends, and recent infrastructure developments.

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Geographic and Administrative Overview

Lembus is one of six county assembly wards within Eldama Ravine Constituency, located in Baringo County, Kenya. The constituency lies a few miles north of the equator, at approximately 0° 30′ 0″ North, 35° 43′ 0″ East. Eldama Ravine Constituency covers an area of approximately 953.82 square kilometers and borders Mogotio constituency to the East, Baringo Central to the North, and Molo Constituency to the South.

The administrative structure of Eldama Ravine Constituency includes six county assembly wards: Lembus, Lembus Kwen, Ravine, Maji Mazuri/Mumberes, Lembus Perkerra, and Koibatek. As of 2017, Lembus ward had 10,801 registered voters, making it the ward with the highest number of voters in the constituency.

The area is characterized by its forest resources, with the historic Lembus Forest split into three forest blocks – Narasha, Chemorgok, and Chemususu. This forest forms the northern part of the catchment area for the Perkerra River, which flows through Baringo County into Lake Baringo.

Climate and Topography

Eldama Ravine town, the constituency’s headquarters, is characterized by moderate rainfall of approximately 1237mm annually and sits at a high-altitude of 1815 meters above sea level. The area’s vegetation includes cypress, red cedar, pine, gravellia, Nandi flame, croton, and podo trees, reflecting its favorable climate.

Demographic and Cultural Profile

The Lembus People

The Lembus people are historically a subtribe of the Kalenjin people, though in recent years they have sought recognition as a distinct ethnic group. In 2019, members of the Lembus community moved to court demanding to be recognized as a distinct ethnic group rather than as a sub-tribe of the Tugen.

The Lembus group is traditionally sub-divided into several clans including Pokor, Keben, Bogor, Kakimor, Kamaruso, Somek, Murkaptuk, Agiekablembus, Chepkero, Kapkosom, and Emom. They have settled across various areas including Emom, Chepkero, ElKamaruso, Kakimor, Keben, Bogor, Lembus Mosop, Lembus Soin, Lembus Kongasis, and Lembus Kiptuiya.

Historically, the Lembus people have had a close relationship with the Nandi people, sharing cultural, language, and religious similarities. During the 1890s, the Lembus resisted British entry into their territories, particularly the Lembus Forest, coinciding with the Nandi Resistance to the British from the late 1890s to 1906.

Forest Management Controversy

The Lembus Forest has been a point of contention between the Lembus community and government authorities. The forest, which the Lembus people still consider their ancestral land, was placed under governmental management and used for commercial timber exploitation from the 1910s under the colonial regime. In 2019, the Lembus Council of Elders contested governmental forest management, arguing it focused on exploitation and neglected conservation.

Land and Property Market

Land & Plots for Sale in Lembus-Land Prices

The real estate market in and around Lembus shows variations in land prices depending on location, size, and development level:

In Kelelwa, along the Nakuru-Eldama Ravine Road, 1/8 acre plots with ready titles are selling for Kshs 550,000 (approximately $4,850 USD). These plots are marketed as ideal for peri-urban homes.
In the neighboring Mogotio area in Baringo County, 1/4 acre plots are priced at Kshs 650,000 (approximately $5,730 USD). These plots are described as prime and ideal for peri-urban homes or speculative investment, with accessible murram surfaced roads, electricity available for connection, borehole water, and clean, ready title deeds.

Property for sale : Houses and Land in Lembus-Commercial Property

Commercial properties in the region also show investment potential. A Lembus Filling Station with 400 square meters was listed for sale at KSh 5,500,000 (approximately $48,500 USD), highlighting the commercial development in the area.

Accommodation Options

The accommodation market in Eldama Ravine is still developing, with limited hotel and lodging options. Currently, there are only two documented properties in Eldama Ravine town: the Kabarak University Guesthouse and Taidy Suites Eldama Ravine, with prices ranging from approximately 39,697 to 43,343 Korean won (approximately $30-33 USD) per night.

Recent Infrastructure Development

Eldama Ravine Constituency has witnessed significant infrastructure development in recent years, particularly in water, sanitation, transportation, and educational facilities.

Water Infrastructure

The Chemususu dam project represents a major water infrastructure development in the region. Located on the Chemususu river about 17km west of Eldama Ravine town, this 45m high dam has a storage capacity of 12 million cubic meters of water and can yield 35,000 cubic meters per day to supply Eldama Ravine Township and its environs.

The project includes more than 30 water reservoirs in Eldama Ravine, Mogotio in Baringo County, and Rongai Sub-County in Nakuru at various stages of construction. Once complete, it is expected to serve a population of 600,000 people, with distribution areas including Esageri, Solian, Muserechi, Kabimoi, Saos, and Rafiki among others.

Sewerage Project

A major sewerage project is under development in Eldama Ravine town with an estimated cost of Kshs 1,341,756,632.26 (approximately $11.8 million USD). This project involves the construction of primary and secondary sewer networks within Eldama Ravine town and a wastewater treatment plant.

The wastewater treatment component includes construction of two streams of Wastewater Stabilization Ponds with capacity to treat 5,111 cubic meters per day, comprising:

Inlet Works and Exhauster Discharge Bay.
2 Anaerobic Ponds.
2 Facultative Ponds.
8 Maturation Ponds.
10 Sludge Drying Beds.
Grade 9 Staff Houses.
Wastewater Laboratory.

This sewerage infrastructure is expected to trigger development of modern infrastructure within Eldama Ravine town due to the availability of sewer infrastructure and reduce pollution in the Kamelilo River and other water bodies in the area.

Road Infrastructure

Numerous road construction and maintenance projects are ongoing throughout the constituency, including in Lembus, Lembus Kwen, and Lembus Perkera wards. These include:

In Lembus ward:

Seguton – Daraja Mbili Road.
Timboroa – Highway – Mwachon Road.
Mwachon – Bikwen – Kapchepkaro Road.
Kapcholoi – FGCK Road.
Nerkwo – Emnyunguny Road.
Torongo Center Road.
Kisorobi-Boito-Sigowet-Tankit Road.
Kaptarigo-Tinet-Sawich-Tegat Road.
Torongo-Tiripkatoi-Arapyemit-Tugumoi-Kabiriot-Mwachon Road.

In Lembus Kwen ward:

Main Road – Kabilwo Road.
Kiprotich Junction – Kapkoi Sarme Road.
Kamoskoi PAG Road.
Singorwe – Kamasaba Road.
Kewangoi-Kipkuyang-Tamket-Kiplelaibey Road.
Kewangoi-Burbanyan Road.
Iracha Road.
Kaptim-Temwo Road.
Kaptim – Triptariko Road.
Moringwo Road.
Kaplabot Road.
Baghdad -Suchangwan Road.

In Lembus Perkerra ward:

Kapdening Roads.
Susait-Muchongoi.
Aic Esageri-Kiborit Road.
Kaptiagan-Kibias Road.
Kibias- Tolmo Road.

Educational Facilities

The Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) Eldama Ravine is under construction, with the foundation stone having been laid. This project will ensure the transformation of middle-level health professionals within the constituency and Baringo County as a whole.

Economic Activities

Eldama Ravine is largely an agricultural trade point, particularly known for producing world-popular commercial rose flowers. The area is fairly cosmopolitan, with residents from more than half of Kenya’s ethnic tribes, contributing to its diverse economic activities.

The ongoing infrastructure developments, particularly in water and sanitation, are expected to further boost economic activities in the region by enabling more agricultural and commercial ventures.

Conclusion

Lembus in Eldama Ravine Constituency represents an area with rich cultural heritage undergoing significant infrastructure development. The land market shows moderate prices compared to urban centers, with good potential for growth as infrastructure improves. The major water, sewerage, and road projects currently underway are likely to enhance property values and economic opportunities in the near future.

The cultural identity of the Lembus people and their historical connection to the Lembus Forest adds depth to the region’s profile and may present opportunities for cultural tourism and conservation initiatives. As infrastructure development continues, Lembus is poised to become an increasingly important area within Baringo County, offering improved quality of life for residents and attractive investment opportunities.

1. What are the current house prices in Lembus Kwen?

2. Are there any upcoming infrastructure projects in Ravine?

3. How does the land price in Koibatek compare to other areas?

4. What facilities are available in Lembus/Perkerra for new developments?

5. How accessible is Murembes/Maji Mazuri via public transportation?