The ancient Irrigation Furrows of Marakwet bring the waters of the Embobut, Embolot, Enou and other rivers from the high Cherangany Hills, down the steep escarpment, to the warm Endo plains around the small town of Tot and to the fields of Arror. Here the waters are spread out through irrigation channels and support the cultivation of vegetables and a wide variety of fruits (especially mangos and bananas). The original furrows were constructed more than 500 years ago by a people who mysteriously disappeared as the present inhabitants, the Marakwets, migrated into the area. The Marakwets showed a high level of ingenuity in expanding and improving the system; taking the water across ridges and over valleys to places many miles from its original course.
The region is steeped in history: the expeditions of both Joseph Thomson and Count Teleki passed through here in the 1880s. For Teleki, returning from the discovery of “Lake Rudolph”, Endo was salvation for his decimated and desperate band. It had food when all around, because of 2 years of drought, there was nothing but parched lands and starvation. Unfortunately, Teleki had to plunder it under the force of firearms, because of the refusal of the people to sell their priceless produce. Local guides can take you up the hillside to see how a furrow cleverly diverts water into an artificial channel. The closest furrow can be reached in 1 hour. If you wish to see the highest of all you should allow a whole day for the hike and you should be quite fit.
