Ethnic group of western Kenya
Ethnic group
Tachoni|
 Kenya |
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| Luhya (Olutachoni dialect) |
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| Luhya people, Kalenjin people |
The Tachoni people are often mistaken for Bukusu due to cultural similarities and proximity. Historically known as Kitoki, Kitosh, Evekwe, Sirikwa, and Tashone, the Tachoni trace their origins to Egypt, migrating along the Nile to present-day Kenya. |
The Tachoni (meaning "we shall be back" in Kalenjin are Kalenjin people assimilated by Luhya people of western Kenya) is one of the tribes that occupy Bungoma County, Kakamega County, Trans Nzoia County and Uasin Gishu County in the western part of Kenya, known for its gallant defense of the Chetambe in 1895 when resisting British rule. Tachoni people were masters at building forts such as Chetambe, Lumboka, and Kiliboti.[1] It was their defiance of colonialism that led to the colonial government to put the entire region occupied by the Tachoni under administration of paramount chiefs drawn from Bunyala and Wanga communities.
The Tachoni share land with the Abanyala, the Kabras,[2] Nandi, and Bukusu tribe. They live mainly in Webuye, Chetambe Hills, Ndivisi (of Bungoma County) Matete sub-county-Lwandeti, Maturu, Mayoyo, Lukhokho, Kiliboti, Kivaywa, Chepsai,[3] and Lugari sub-county in Kakamega County. Most Tachoni clans living in Bungoma speak the ' Olutachoni dialect, a hybrid of the luhyia language of the luhyia people. They lost their original dialect during the divide and rule system used by white colonialists to disperse resistance,[citation needed] and were thus required to find a way to interact with their new neighbors, which is why they are often mistaken for Bukusus.[citation needed] They spread from Kakamega county to Trans-Nzoia County, webuye especially around Kitale, Tambach in Iten Nandi in areas like kabiyet and kapsisiwa, kericho and to Uasin Gishu County near Turbo, Eldoret.
Kenya
