North Rift leisure resort to boost tourism in western Kenya

By Titus Too

Delegates at a past investment forum in the North Rift. Sergoit Golf Wildlife Resorts ground breaking ceremony is on Friday.  [PHOTO: OCHIENG OMONDI/STANDARD]

The North Rift region is set to become a leading destination for tourists and golfers with the establishment of a multi-billion Shilling resort in Uasin Gishu County.

The ground-breaking ceremony of Sergoit Golf Wildlife Resorts to be held today will be a major boost to tourism in the Western Kenya circuit.

According to the Chairman of Sergoit Holdings Ltd, Mr Joshua Chepkwony, the idea was born out of discussions with business-minded Kenyans from diverse backgrounds.

“But all were driven and fascinated by the vision of creating value though a transformative project,” he said. 

Added Chepkwony, “We wanted to develop a property that offers investing Kenyans and Rift Valley residents in particular, an opportunity to own property within a secure, gated and well serviced and managed environment in the spectacular  and resource rich Rift Valley.”

He said that the project is consistent with the objectives of Vision 2030 and the devolved county-focused development strategy.

Directors of Sergoit Holdings Ltd, in a statement, announced the project would be a blend of recreational, residential, sport and touristic features.

“It will significantly upgrade leisure and health lifestyle facilities in the Rift Valley and western Kenya,” stated a press release by directors of Sergoit Holdings. The property is located 15km north east of Eldoret town and 3km off the Eldoret – Iten Road. It is a 20-minute drive from Eldoret International Airport.

 The agricultural North Rift is well reputed for athletic champions who have marketed the image of the country abroad and the resorts will also be a major boost for sports tourism.“The property consists of 3,100 acres of pristine land at the heart of the North Rift.

 The singular defining feature of the property is Sergoit Hill, a tree covered rocky outcrop with a footprint of about 400 acres dominating the flat landscape,” added the statement.

Animal sanctuary

The property also serves as a wildlife sanctuary and is home to the Rothchild’s Giraffe and the Oribi antelope. Other animals include antelopes, duikers and a large variety of birds. Due to its exceptional combination of exquisite features, Sergoit Golf and Wildlife Resort  has been dubbed “The Jewel of the Rift.”

According to the release, the proposed Sergoit Golf and Wildlife Resorts will combine the best of modern recreation, leisure, and healthy lifestyle to give residents or tourists a unique feeling of harmony with nature.

“The three different golf clubs consist of a nine hole  golf course, an 18 hole exclusive membership golf course and a nine hole active retirement golf course, all designed around wildlife corridors and make creative use of the landscape features,” added the statement.

 It said each golf course will have a well outfitted and comfortable Club House and sports shop. A private air strip will also be built on the property.  The investment will foster growth and create employment for the local community and is expected to encourage eco-tourism as well as sports tourism.

Sergoit Golf and Wildlife Resorts will also incorporates features that provide exciting but challenging opportunities for the rock climbing enthusiast.  Other eco-touristic attractions include excursions to the nearby scenic Kerio Valley, Rimoi Game Reserve, Mt Elgon National Park, Kakamega Forest National Park, the Nandi Hills Tea Estates and the South Nandi Forest.