Turbo, Kenya

Turbo is a town at the border of Uasin Gishu County and Kakamega County Kenya, approximately 34 kilometers northwest of Eldoret city (the capital of Uasin Gishu County), along the Nairobi-Malaba Road. Turbo Constituency derives its name from this Town. The town is connected to other trading centres in both counties by a complex road network.

In 2009 it had a population of over 35,000 people. Its population is cosmopolitan. People from the Kalenjin tribe are the most numerous inhabitants, the Tachoni, Kikuyu, Somali, the Akamba, Luo, Maasai, Turkana, Kisii and other Luhyia sub-tribes also occupy the town. Its main economic activities are agriculture, livestock production, milk production and trading. Auto repairs and servicing are also important in the town. It is bordered by large tracts of forested land which makes it a vital lumbering center. Indeed the economy of this town has been shaped around these activities. For a long time farmers in Turbo have been growing mainly maize, and keeping cattle for milk and meat production. However sugar cane farming has been gaining popularity recently. This development may significantly change the economic landscape of the town. The forests were important suppliers of logs to the Panpaper Mills before the factory collapsed. However with plans to fully re-operationalize the factory being at an advanced stage, the relevance of the forests in Turbo are likely to be extended.

Popular places and landmarks in Turbo include the Kogo Plaza, Mchanganyiko Bar and Restaurant, Maseke Agrovet, Rubis Petrol Station, Safa Oils, National Oil, Turbo Water Supply, Turbo Police Station, Turbo Salvation Army College and the National Cereals & Produce Board, the Turbo National Youth Service Center and the Sosiani River. It's also home to some notable schools in Kenya like, Turbo Girls High School, Turbo School, Forestal High School, Kipchoge Keino School, Turbo Magnet High School, Paul Boit High School naming but a few.

The main religion in Turbo is Christianity, however Islam is also practised by a section of the population.

The Turbo Rural Health Demonstration Centre provides health services to the population. It offers mainly outpatient services and limited inpatient services. It is important to note that the development of this important health centre has been slow, largely because of its proximity to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Uasin Gishu County and the Lumakanda County Hospital in Kakamega County.

Perhaps the most important attribute of the town is it being the home to His Excellency the 5th President of Kenya, Dr. William Samoei Ruto. The president's political development has had its base from this important town.