Turkana County

Coordinates: 3°09′N 35°21′E / 3.150°N 35.350°E / 3.150; 35.350Country KenyaFormed4 March 2013CapitalLodwarGovernment • GovernorJeremiah LomorukaiArea • Total98,597.8 km² (38,068.8 sq mi)Elevation1,138 m (3,734 ft)Population • Total926,976 • Density9.4/km² (24/sq mi)Time zoneUTC+3 (EAT)Websitewww.turkana.go.ke

Turkana County is a county in the former Rift Valley Province of Kenya. It is Kenya's second largest county by land area of 98,597.8km² followed by Marsabit County with an area of 71,597.8km². It is bordered by the countries of Uganda to the west; South Sudan and Ethiopia, including the disputed Ilemi Triangle, to the north and northeast; and Lake Turkana to the east. To the south and east, neighbouring counties in Kenya are West Pokot, Baringo and Samburu Counties, while Marsabit County is on the opposite (i.e. eastern) shore of Lake Turkana. Turkana's capital and largest town is Lodwar. The county had a population of 926,976 at the 2019 census.^[1]

History

Four sites of Stone Age cultures are situated upon tributaries along the west side of Lake Turkana in West Turkana; at Lokalalei, Kokiselei and Nadungu, and became of interest to archaeology beginning sometime during 1988.^[2][3][4]

The earliest late Stone Age industries in prehistory were found in Turkana, at the site of Lomekwi, and date to 3,300,000 years.^[5][6] At the archaeological site of Nataruk, in Southwest Turkana, scientists have discovered the oldest evidence of inter-group conflict in the past, establishing that warfare occurred between groups of hunter-gatherers.^[7]

From 1900 until 1926, the British colonial administration in Kenya gradually established control over the Turkana people.^[8] and by 1926, the Turkana people were fully under the control of the British colonial administration, who subsequently forcibly restricted their movements to the Turkana region.^[9][10]

In 1958, the district experienced an influx of a number of people classified as belonging to the Turkana people. These had been expelled from the Kenyan town of Isiolo, and forcibly relocated to the Turkana district by the colonial administration.^[11]

The district maintained an all but complete isolation until 1976 when road-blocks leading to the district were lifted by the Kenyan government.^[12]

In 2000, the people in the north of the county were reported as being harassed by marauding Ethiopians, and were consequently forced to relocate in southern areas.^[13]

Population

Historical population

Year	Pop.	±%
1979	142,702	—
1989	184,060	+29.0%
1999	450,860	+145.0%
2009	855,399	+89.7%
2019	926,976	+8.4%
source:[14]

Religion

Religion in Turkana County ^[15]

Religion (2019 Census)	Number
Catholicism	406,439
Protestant	265,802
Evangelical Churches	87,298
African instituted Churches	22,498
Orthodox	2,806
Other Christian	17,210
Islam	30,776
Hindu	134
Traditionists	43,412
Other	8,773
Atheists	25,361
Don't Know	11,221
Not Stated	480

Language

Turkana is known in the local language as ng'turkana.^[16] Some place names in the country are attributed to the language of the Pokot and Samburu peoples, representing a tradition in the area of inhabitation by these peoples prior to displacement by the Turkana.^[17]

Geography

The county is within the boundaries of the former Rift Valley province.^[18] According to data provided during 1991 the majority of the population at that time lived by way of farming.^[19] With an area of nearly 77,000 km², Turkana is the largest county, including the area covered by Lake Turkana, in Kenya.

Turkana County is emerging to be a major source of electric power in Kenya. Kengen's Turkwel Hydro Power Plant, situated on the southwest of Turkana County, produces hydroelectric power which is connected to the national power grid at Lessos. The county is current subject of crude oil exploration in Block 10BB and Block 13T and has potential for geothermal, solar and wind energy.

Kekarongole and Katilu had irrigation networks made commencing sometime during or after 1975.^[20]

Rainfall measurements per annum (1982 data) is recorded as less than ten inches; with a range of between 115mm and 650mm.^[21][22]

There were thirteen drought periods in a period of 50 years beginning 1938.^[23]

Economics

Turkana is the poorest region in Kenya.^[24] The county is, however, experiencing upward reviews due to ongoing mineral explorations and inventions, especially of oil and water resources. Turkana County residents are also enjoying the fruits of devolution. Devolution of power in Kenya is viewed as a blessing for the forgotten people of Turkana. It has been received in the sub- counties with much appreciation due to its direct benefits to the citizens. The current administration shares out these benefits equally to all sub counties in addition to enhancing citizen participation in development activities. [1]

On 26 March 2012, Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki announced that oil had been discovered in Turkana County after exploratory drilling by Anglo-Irish firm Tullow Oil, and he further stated that:

It is... the beginning of a long journey to make our country an oil producer, which typically takes in excess of three years. We shall be giving the nation more information as the oil exploration process continues.^[25]

Gold panning was reported (2005) as occurring at Lochoremoit, Namoruputh, Lokiriama and Ng' akoriyiek.^[26]

According to Barrett (2001) cited in Watson the wealth of a person is kept in the form of cattle.^[27]

Figures stated as of 1998 stated an average estimated herd size of 15–20.^[28]

In 2013 it was announced by UNESCO^[29] that large reserves of groundwater had been discovered in Turkana County. The water was discovered using satellite exploration technology then confirmed by drilling.^[30] The extraction of the water began in 2014 and it is being piped to provide water to Lodwar town for irrigation and water for the people.^[31] However, this project was later abandoned when it was found that the water in the aquifer was too salty to be treated or to be used for other purposes. ^[32]

Government [Turkana County Government Website: http://www.turkana.go.ke/]

Promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 marked a momentous point in the country's history. The Constitution provided for, among others, enhanced checks and balances within the government, an enhanced role of Parliament and citizens, an independent judiciary, and a most progressive Bill of Rights. [2]. Turkana County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya. The county is led by H.E. Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, ^[33] and Turkana County has 10 Ministries. [3]

Travel

The county is connected to Nairobi through regular commercial flights to Lodwar airport.^[34][35] The World Food Programme runs a special UN Humanitarian Air Service for UN and INGO staff.^[36]

County subdivisions

Local authorities (councils)
Authority	Type	Population*	Urban pop.*
Lodwar	Municipality	1,000,000	16,981
Turkana	County	414,963	26,563
Total	–	450,860	43,544
* 1999 census. Source: [4]

Administrative divisions
Division	Population*	Population density	Headquarters
Central	35,919	45	Lodwar
Kaaling	24,053	3
Kainuk	11,799	7	Kainuk
Kakuma	97,114	26	Kakuma
Kalokol	28,735	5	Kalokol
Katilu	12,548	10	katilu
Kerio	15,409	6
Kibish	6,056	–
Lapur	12,780	6
Lokichar	21,791	5	Lokichar
Lokichogio	36,187	5	Lokichogio
Lokitaung	22,586	12	Lokitaung
Loima	33,979	10	Lorugum
Lokori	17,915	3
Lomelo	6,088	1	Kapedo
Oropol	18,020	3	Oropol
Turkwel	49,881	9
Total	450,860	7 (average)	-
* 1999 census. Sources: [5]

The county has six constituencies:

• Loima Constituency
• Turkana Central Constituency
• Turkana East Constituency
• Turkana North Constituency
• Turkana South Constituency
• Turkana West Constituency

The counties have six sub counties

sub-county	headquarters
Turkana Central	Lodwar
Turkana North	Lokitaung
Turkana South	Lokichar
Turkana East	Lokori
Turkana West	Kakuma
Loima	Lorugum

Villages and settlements

• Anglogitat
• Angorangora

See also

• Eliye Springs, a village located in Kalokol division
• Kenyans for Kenya
• Ilemi Triangle

References

External links

• http://www.aridland.go.ke/bulletins/June%202006-Turkana.pdf^{[permanent dead link]}
• http://www.aridland.go.ke/districts.asp?DistrictID=1^{[permanent dead link]}
• Map of the district