ELDORET

town, western Kenya, eastern Africa, on the Uasin Gishu Plateau west of the Great Rift Valley. Situated at an elevation of 6,857 feet (2,090 m) above sea level, its healthful climate attracted many European settlers during the colonial period. It serves an agricultural area; chief crops are corn (maize), wheat, and pyrethum (a plant used in manufacturing insecticides). Cattle raising in the vicinity is important. Local industries include flour-milling and food-processing plants. Eldoret is a rail stop on the line running northwest into Uganda. It is the seat of a Roman Catholic bishopric. Pop. (1983 est.) 55,300.