SUMMARY

The Kalenjin is an ethnic group inhabiting the Great Rift Valley in western Kenya. With its population of around 3 millions, Kalenjin is the fifth largest ethnic group in Kenya. Kikuyu is the largest out of Kenyas more than 70 different ethnic groups. The Kikuyu makes up approximately 20% of Kenya´s population followed by Luo and Luhya (both 13% - 14%), Kamba (11%) and Kalenjin (11%). Kalenjin is a name given by the British colonisers to several distinct ethic groups who spoke the same language, today called Kalenjin, although there are different dialects. The different groups who make up Kalenjin are: Kipsigis, Nandi, Tugen, Keiyo, Marakwet, Pokot, Sabaot, and the Terik. It is believed that the Kalenjin moved to Kenya from Sudan about 2000 years ago. Nowadays, the Kalenjin is mainly pastoralists, yet little agriculture is practiced. The traditional political unit within the Kalenjin society is the koret a collection of 20 to 100 homesteads. This unit was lead by a council of adult males and was led by a spokesman. Today, this system has been replaced by political entities such as: sub locations, locations, divisions, districts and provinces with administrative chiefs at every level. Kalenjin believes in a supreme good called Asis or Cheptalel but today almost everyone believes in Christianity or Islam.

The Kalenjin has been involved in the non-state category of UCDP organised violence.