The location is named after a missionary from Australia, Albert Edmund Barnett, who was member of the Africa Inland Mission and came first to central Kenia in 1908. Ka is homestead in the Kalenjin language. Kabarnet is the administrative headquarters for Baringo District since 1907 as the British colonial government made it to seat of the local government. It is also one of the largest constituencies in the country. It became Municipality in 1984. It has a coat of arms since 1993
