Meteorites from Kenya

Kenya is home to one of the most notable meteorite discoveries in recent years – the Sericho meteorite, a stunning pallasite found in the northeastern region of the country. This meteorite is especially significant due to its classification and the quality of its specimens, which have attracted the attention of both researchers and collectors.

The Sericho meteorite was discovered in 2016, near the town of Sericho in the Isiolo District, and is classified as a pallasite, a rare type of stony-iron meteorite. Pallasites are known for their beautiful combination of olivine crystals embedded in a nickel-iron matrix, giving them a unique appearance that is highly prized in the meteorite collecting community. The Sericho meteorite features large, well-formed olivine crystals that range in colour from green to yellow, set against a metal-rich matrix. The quality of the Sericho specimens has made them some of the most sought-after pallasites in recent years.

The fall of the Sericho meteorite is relatively recent, and its discovery has shed light on the potential for further meteorite finds in Kenya, particularly in the vast, arid regions of the country. The dry desert-like conditions in this area contribute to the preservation of meteorites, and while this is the most significant meteorite find in Kenya in modern times, it highlights the potential for more discoveries in the future.

Given the rarity of pallasites and the striking beauty of the Sericho meteorite, this find has drawn interest from both scientific communities and private collectors. The Sericho meteorite is considered an important addition to the growing list of meteorites from East Africa and has raised the profile of Kenya as a potential source of exceptional meteorite specimens.

Kenya