The peaks of Mount Kenya have been given names from three different sources.
Firstly, several Maasai chieftains have been commemorated, with names such as;
- Batian,
- Nelion and
- Lenana.
They commemorate Mbatian, a Maasai Laibon (Medicine Man), Nelieng, his brother, and Lenana and Sendeyo, his sons. Terere is named after another Maasai headman.
The second type of names that were given to peaks are after European climbers and explorers. Some examples of this are;
- Shipton,
- Sommerfelt,
- Tilman,
- Dutton and
- Arthur.
There is a group of four peaks to the east of the main peaks named after European settlers;
- Coryndon,
- Grigg,
- Delamere and
- McMillan.
There were others named by the missionary Arthur. The remaining names are after well-known Kenyan personalities
Facts and Figures
- Elevation-17,057 Feet-5,199 Meters
- Longitude-37º 18 E
- Latitude-0º 09 S
- Climate- Tropical Rain Climate
Best Climbing Season
Southern Side: December, January, February & March
Northern Side: June, July August & September