Situated in Kenya’s North Rift, Nandi is a land of rolling green hills, high-altitude training camps and hardworking smallholder farms. It ranks as the country’s third-largest tea producer, a major dairy region and a growing sports tourism hub. Behind the plantations and milk coolers lies a political history marked by deep party loyalty and massive electoral majorities that have shaped the county’s identity for over a decade.

Situated in Kenya’s North Rift, Nandi County is a region of rolling green hills, high-altitude training camps and hard-working smallholder farms. It ranks as the third-largest producer of tea in Kenya, a significant dairy region and a rising center of sports tourism.

Hidden behind the coffee plantations, the milk coolers and even the football pitches, are the political histories of the county where party loyalty has been deep and electoral majorities have been massive.

 Governor Nandi County Hon Stephen Sang

Demographics‍‌‍‍‌ Framework

Area: 2855.8 square kilometers

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2019 Census Population Report: 885,711 people

Registered Voters 2022: 406288 voters

Political Context: 2013–2022

2013 General Election

Governor Race

Winner: Dr. Cleophas Lagat (URP) – 218,639 votes

Runner-up: Henry Kosgey (ODM) – 45,342 votes

Senate Race

Winner: Stephen Sang (URP) – 171,988 votes

Runner-up: Henry Kosgey (ODM) – 32,368 votes

2017 General Election

Governor Race

Winner: Stephen Sang (Jubilee Party) – 244,583 votes

Runner-up: Anderson Serem (Independent) – 13,469 votes

Senate Race

Winner: Samson Cherargei (Jubilee Party) – 240,011 votes

Runner-up: Silas Kipkoech (Independent) – 16,113 votes

2022 General Election

Governor Race

Winner: Stephen Sang (UDA) – 237,045 votes

Runner-up: Cleophas Lagat (Independent) – 54,375 votes

Senate Race

Winner: Samson Cherargei (UDA) – 284,373 votes

Runner-up: Mark Kirwa (Jubilee) – 20,900 votes

Nandi’s politics from 2013 to 2022 show a strong preference for dominant political parties and incumbents. URP and Jubilee, later UDA, consistently secured decisive victories in both governor and Senate races. The wide margins against opposition and independent candidates point to deeply entrenched political loyalties.

By 2022, Stephen Sang and Samson Cherargei had consolidated UDA’s grip on the county’s top elective positions.

Economic Role and Relevance

Cash Crop Cultivation 

Tea is still the main cash crop. Vast tea plantations can be seen in Nandi Hills and Kobujoi, with support from processing factories and multinationals such as Eastern Produce Kenya Limited. In the lower areas of Aldai and Tinderet sub-counties, sugar-cane growing is very popular. Coffee is becoming a very attractive alternative, and it is being channeled through local cooperatives besides being very profitable for farmers wanting to have mixed crops.

Food Crops and Horticulture 

Mechanized maize production mainly feeds the county’s population and also supplies its surplus to other regional markets. Nandi contributes a lot to the national grain stores in addition to feeding its local markets. Smallholder farmers, besides maize, also produce Irish and sweet potatoes, sorghum, finger millet and all sorts of vegetables to sustain household food security and the local food market.

Dairy Animal Husbandry

Dairy is among the livestock sectors where the marketing is so high. Milk is handled by well-established organizations such as Kabiyet, Tanykina, and Nandi Cooperative Creameries. The production is boosted through a network of local milk coolers in every ward and regular cattle dipping services.

Sports Tourism and Commerce

The high-altitude environment has given birth to a niche industry where both the government and private sectors train athletes. These training facilities attract both domestic and foreign athletes. The business sectors in towns like Kapsabet and Mosoriot flourish as markets for products and services for residents as well as visitors, with micro, small and medium-sized enterprises operating beside real estate projects and retail ​‍​‌‍​‍‌stores.

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