Elgeyo (African people)

Keiyo may also refer to Keiyo, a district in Kenya, Keiyo Line, a railway line in Japan, or Elgeyo escarpment. The Elgeyo (also known as Keiyo) are an ethnic group who are part of the larger Kalenjin ethnic group of Nilotic origin. They live near Eldoret, Kenya, in the highlands of the former Keiyo District, now part of the larger Elgeyo Marakwet County. The Elgeyo originally settled at the foothills of the Elgeyo escarpment, in the area between Kerio river to the east and the escarpment to the west. Due to drought and famine in the valley, the Keiyos climbed the escarpment and started to settle on the highland east of Uasin Gishu plateau. When the British came, the Keiyos were pushed to settle in clusters called reserves. The Keiyos are avid long distance marathon runners and have produced elites such as Ezekiel Kemboi, Vivian Cheruiyot. Kelvin Kiptum, the recent world record holder also comes from the tribe.