David Lichtenstein is researching "who" farmed (lived) there and "when"--The basis used for his research is An African Sketchbook, a coffee-table book (autobiography) by Ray Nestor, the well-known artist, surveyor, etc. and a former Kipkarren resident.

     (1) Firstly, contact with any members of the Nestor family would be appreciated, and / or (in their absence) names of characters referred to by Ray Nestor in that book.

     (2) In the 1920s, Nestor purchased two nearby Soldier Settler A-farms at Upper Kipkarren, one from the Chief of Police (who was at the time acting as Governor), and the other from an acquaintance of Nestor's who had been transferred to West Africa. Does anyone know who these two people would be?

     (3) Ray Nestor employed an Afrikaner farm manager who embezzled him and subsequently committed suicide. Any idea who this person was?

     (4) During the Kakamega Gold Rush, one of Nestor's neighbours stuck a rick gold vein. Any idea of who this person was?

     (5)A neighbour had been Director of Agriculture in Zanzibar. Any idea who this person was?

     (6) During World War II, Ray Nestor rented a nearby house, the best in the district, built in the Colonial Dutch Style. (See photo below, and click on "HERE" below the photo for his description of the house.) We have since ascertained that this house had been owned by the late Vincent Kirkham, a former Director of Chemical Research in Kenya. Would also appreciate contact with members of the Kirkham family.
    

Photograph of Kirkham's house taken by David Lichtenstein during his trip to Kipkarren in 2004.  
Built in 1932, the house is now a medical dispensary known as Kapkekem House.
This is how the Nandi would have described Kirkham's place.

Click HERE to see more photographs

     (7) A nearby farmer, who called one of his Nandi labourers a 'nusu mtu' or half-man, was attacked and killed by this labourer. Any idea who this farmer was?

     (8) A lady doctor lived on a nearby farm. Any idea who this woman was?

     (9) In 1949, Nestor sold his farm (at some stage of his book he did not seem to differentiate between the two farms) to a Swiss doctor resident in Egypt. Any idea who this Swiss doctor was?

     (10) On the 1956 map (below left) are the names: D. J. Penwill (a former DC), D. Nichol, Holmes, Phaedric O'Brien, and Egglestone.  Once again, any information (or contact) with family members of these persons would be appreciated.

     (11) Former residents have provided names of persons known to have lived in this area, but the time and place are not known. Any information or contact with family members of the following persons would be would be appreciated: Swan (a former PC), G.M. (John) Dowson (a former DC), Tim Durrard, J. L. Smallwood, Peter H. Brown (a former DO), Captain D. W. Rowley (a former DO), Spooner (former Agricultural Officer), Malcolm Sholto-Douglas (former District Agricultural Officer), R. S. Hedger (former Veterinary Officer), A. W. Thompson, A. T. Matson (former Health Inspector), D. H. Skinner, Bill Hughes (former Police Inspector), C. W. Toby Arnold, General Auchinlech,  and Gordon and Bonnie Miller.

     (13) If you can help in any way, please contact Dave Lichtenstein

Maps of Kipkarren Area

Click the thumbnail view to go to a large version of the map.

Kipkarren Map, 1956

The above map shows the Soldier Settlement Farms as they were in 1950, when the Government re-purchased a number of these farms and returned them to the Nandi tribe, the Sarora Settlement scheme.

Kipkarren Map, 1969

The above map shows what the area was probably like in 1975 when Poul Jorgensen (son of Sven Jorgensen from whom the Lichtenstein family bought the farm) revisited the farm.