Our History

Cherush Guesthouse was born from a simple but powerful idea: that visitors to Iten — whether elite marathon runners, weekend explorers, or remote professionals — deserved a place that felt genuinely welcoming, well-organised, and deeply connected to the local community.

The Beginning

The property on the Iten-Kabarnet Road began its life as a family home — a quiet corner of the highlands with expansive views of the Kerio Valley and clean mountain air at 2,400 metres above sea level. Recognising Iten's growing reputation as a global training destination, the founders saw an opportunity to create accommodation that truly served the needs of long-stay guests, not just overnight visitors.

Early guests were mostly endurance athletes from Europe and North America, arriving to train alongside Kenya's world-class runners. Word spread quickly: Cherush was clean, reliable, and run by people who genuinely cared.

Growing with Iten

As Iten grew in international recognition — cemented by its designation as the "Home of Champions" — so did the diversity of guests choosing Cherush as their base. Families arrived to explore the Rift Valley escarpment. Remote workers discovered that fibre WiFi at altitude was surprisingly productive. Conference delegates found a quiet and professional venue far from city distractions.

Each new wave of guests taught the Cherush team something new: that great hospitality is less about luxury and more about reliability, trust, and a warm welcome at the gate.

Where We Are Today

Today, Cherush Guesthouse offers a range of thoughtfully designed rooms — from compact solo layouts to spacious family units — each with private bathrooms, self-catering kitchens, high-speed WiFi, and 24-hour hot water. Our compound is gated, secure, and professionally maintained.

We remain proudly independent and locally rooted. Every decision we make — from the rooms we offer to the suppliers we support — reflects our commitment to Iten and to the guests who choose us.