This rodent occurs in Mount Elgon's afro-alpine zone across Kenya and Uganda. Research reports differences in grassland use.
A comparative study describes it as dark-colored with longer hairs, about 20–35 mm, than the related form discussed.
On Mount Elgon, it was associated with patchy, varied, species-rich grasslands and moist areas, while avoiding pure tussock. Its diet included grasses and broad-leaved plants.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.