By Alex Kiprotich

The fame and influence that Kabarnet town exuded in the 1980s does not equal its small size.

Thanks to being the town of former prominent politicians, the small town enjoyed perks that other bigger towns did not.

 Former President Moi valued his home town.

Former Maendeleo ya Wanawake Cahirperson Zipporah Kittony.

 Sports legend Paul Tergat put Kabarnet on the map.
Kabarnet was made a municipality in 1984 and a former powerful politician, the late Philemon Chelagat, was elected its mayor, a position from where he wielded such great power, he was equal to top Cabinet ministers of the day.

Chelagat, then the most famous mayor in Kenya, was often seen at State functions enjoying a front seat view, among Cabinet ministers.

Recently, during a tour to the area, former Attorney General, Mr Charles Njonjo, said the country then only had one mayor.

"During the tenure of Chelagat, he was the only mayor in the country," he said.

Former President Daniel arap Moi was the jewel in Kabarnet’s crown. Moi, whose Sacho home, is only 24km from Kabarnet town, clearly valued his hometown, a fact he made clear when the small town was elevated to a municipality, during his tenure.

Fiery Kanu chairman, the late Joel Bultut, also gave the town its current impetus.

The region also produced the influential former Maendeleo ya Wanawake Chairperson Zipporah Kittony, whose brother, the late Reuben Chesire, was Eldoret North MP.

Most accomplished

Former Chief of General Staff Daudi Tonje hailed from the area, as did former Co-operative Bank Chairman Hosea Kiplagat.

Kabarnet town has also produced one of the most accomplished long-distance runners, Mr Paul Kibii Tergat. Tergat won five straight International Association of Athletics Federations World Cross Country Championship titles from 1995 to 1999. And, because of his achievements, Tergat was named UN World Food Programme Ambassador Against Hunger in 2004.

In the civil service, Kabarnet is home to former Solicitor-General Aaron Kandie and former Kenyan ambassador to Israel, Mr Michael Sergon.

Prominent business personalities, including Mr Joshua Kulei, also call Karbanet home.