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Elgeyo Marakwet County is in the North Rift region of Kenya. The County borders West Pokot to the North, Baringo to the East, South-East and South, Uasin-Gishu to the South West and West and Trans-Nzoia to the North West. The County occupies an estimated area of 3029.8 square kilometers and had a population of 369,998 according to 2009 National Census. It is inhabited predominantly by Keiyo and Marakwet ethnic groups of the Kalenjin community.

 

The current projected population is 450,936 with an annual growth rate of 2.8%, expected to reach 463,420 by the end of the planning period in 2017. This therefore, calls for identification of strategies to improve on ante-natal and post-natal services to reduce infant mortality and ensure that expectant mothers give birth at health facilities. A majority of the population, 42.3% is below 15 years while the minority comprises children under 1 year with a proportion of 3.71% as detailed in Table 1.

 

The population distribution in the county varies according to geographical area with the highland areas of Keiyo South and Marakwet West sub counties having higher population than the lowlands and the middle-altitude zones. Table 2 shows the population distribution and growth projections for the sub counties. The population growth and distribution applies pressure on the health system and calls for identification of strategies to expand the capacity of healthcare services especially the ante-natal and post-natal services.