It was established as an administrative point by British colonialists and later served as a transit route for lumber harvested from surrounding forests.

It was previously the headquarters of the former Koibatek District and Eldama Ravine Constituency.

[citation needed] It is largely an agricultural trade point producing world popular commercial rose flowers.

The British East African Company (IBEACO) established the town in 1887 as a victualing center for caravans moving from the coast to Mumias.

Later during the British colonial period, it served as the headquarters of the Baringo District and Naivasha province, then under the Uganda Protectorate.