Litein's name originated from the word "liteito" - a stone used for sharpening iron objects during the pre-colonial period.
It is one of the busiest town in South Rift region and is surrounded by other towns like Kapkatet (which is known as the Kipsigis headquarters) Koiwa, Boito, Mogogosiek, Kusumek, Chemosot and Cheborge shopping centres.
The main economic activity in the area is farming of Tea and Maize together with livestock.
KCB, Equity, Family, co-orperative and Bureti tea sacco are the major financial institutions found here.
Litein town also has numerous colleges which include Valley and KSPS, among others.