Turkana County
Turkana County | |
---|---|
![]() Location of Turkana County (red) including the disputedElemi Triangle(diagonally striped red) | |
Coordinates:3°09′N35°21′E/ 3.150°N 35.350°E | |
Country | ![]() |
Formed | 4 March 2013 |
Capital | Lodwar |
Government | |
•Governor | Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai Napotikan |
Area | |
• Total | 70,512 km2(27,225 sq mi) |
• Land | 68,232.9 km2(26,344.9 sq mi) |
• Water | 2,279 km2(880 sq mi) |
Elevation | 1,138 m (3,734 ft) |
Population (2019) | |
• Total | 926,976 |
• Density | 13/km2(34/sq mi) |
Time zone | UTC+3(EAT) |
Website | www |
Turkana Countyis acountyin the formerRift Valley ProvinceofKenya.It is Kenya's largest county by land area of 77,597.8km2followed byMarsabit Countywith an area of 66,923.1km2.It is bordered by the countries ofUgandato the west;South SudanandEthiopia,including the disputedIlemi Triangle,to the north and northeast; andLake Turkanato the east. To the south and east, neighbouring counties in Kenya areWest Pokot,BaringoandSamburuCounties,whileMarsabit Countyis on the opposite (i.e. eastern) shore ofLake Turkana.Turkana's capital and largest town isLodwar.The county had a population of 926,976 at the 2019 census.[1]
History
[edit]Four sites of Stone Age cultures are situated upon tributaries along the west side ofLake Turkanain 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, theBritish colonial administration in Kenyagradually established control over theTurkana 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
[edit]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
[edit]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
[edit]Turkana is known inthe local languageas ng'turkana.[16]Some place names in the country are attributed to the language of thePokotandSamburu peoples,representing a tradition in the area of inhabitation by these peoples prior to displacement by the Turkana.[17]
Geography
[edit]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 inKenya.Kengen'sTurkwel Hydro Power Plant,situated on the southwest of Turkana County, produces hydroelectric power which is connected to the national power grid atLessos.The county is current subject of crude oil exploration inBlock 10BBandBlock 13Tand 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
[edit]Turkana is the poorest region inKenya.[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 PresidentMwai Kibakiannounced that oil had been discovered in Turkana County after exploratory drilling by Anglo-Irish firmTullow 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 panningwas reported (2005) as occurring atLochoremoit,Namoruputh,LokiriamaandNg' akoriyiek.[26]
According to Barrett (2001) cited inWatsonthe 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 byUNESCO[29]that large reserves ofgroundwaterhad been discovered in Turkana County which 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 theConstitution of Kenya 2010marked 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 47counties of Kenya.The county is led by H.E. Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai,[33]and Turkana County has 10 Ministries.[3]
Travel
[edit]The county is connected toNairobithrough regular commercial flights toLodwar airport.[34][35]TheWorld Food Programmeruns a specialUN Humanitarian Air Servicefor UN and INGO staff.[36]
County subdivisions
[edit]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
[edit]See also
[edit]- Eliye Springs,a village located in Kalokol division
- Kenyans for Kenya
- Ilemi Triangle
References
[edit]- ^"2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume I: Population by County and Sub-County".Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.Retrieved6 November2019.
- ^B S Blades, B Adams –Lithic Materials and Paleolithic SocietiesJohn Wiley & Sons, 12 May 2009 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN1405168374
- ^C R Ewen -ArtifactsRowman Altamira, 1 April 2003 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN0759100225
- ^(secondary) D Waugh – Geography: An Integrated ApproachISBN017444706XRetrieved 1994
- ^Harmand, Sonia; Lewis, Jason E.; Feibel, Craig S.; Lepre, Christopher J.; Prat, Sandrine; Lenoble, Arnaud; Boës, Xavier; Quinn, Rhonda L.; Brenet, Michel (2015). "3.3-million-year-old stone tools from Lomekwi 3, West Turkana, Kenya".Nature.521(7552): 310–315.Bibcode:2015Natur.521..310H.doi:10.1038/nature14464.PMID25993961.S2CID1207285.
- ^C Ehret, M Posnansky –The Archaeological and Linguistic Reconstruction of African HistoryUniversity of California Press, 1982 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN0520045939
- ^Lahr, M. Mirazón; Rivera, F.; Power, R. K.; Mounier, A.; Copsey, B.; Crivellaro, F.; Edung, J. E.; Fernandez, J. M. Maillo; Kiarie, C. (2016)."Inter-group violence among early Holocene hunter-gatherers of West Turkana, Kenya".Nature.529(7586): 394–398.Bibcode:2016Natur.529..394L.doi:10.1038/nature16477.PMID26791728.S2CID4462435.
- ^T G Grenham –The Unknown God: Religious And Theological InterculturationPeter Lang, 2005 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN3039102613
- ^S Williams – Ian Hodder (ed) –The Archaeology of Contextual MeaningsCambridge University Press, 6 August 1987 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN0521329248
- ^Merriam-Webster dictionary online
- ^V Broch-Due, R A Schroeder –Producing Nature and Poverty in AfricaNordic Africa Institute, 2000 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN9171064524
- ^D McNeill, S D Duncan, J Cassell, E T Levy –Gesture and the Dynamic Dimension of Language: Essays in Honor of David McNeillJohn Benjamins Publishing Company, 2007 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN9027228418
- ^Traditional Occupations of Indigenous and Tribal Peoples: Emerging TrendsInternational Labour Organization, 2000 Retrieved 2012-07-08
- ^Kenya: Administrative Division population statistics
- ^"2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume IV: Distribution of Population by Socio-Economic Characteristics"(PDF).Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.Retrieved2 May2021.
- ^P. H. Gulliver –The Family Herds: A Study of Two Pastoral Tribes in East Africa, the Jie and TurkanaRoutledge, 31 January 2003 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN0415176468
- ^NC Dorian –Investigating Obsolescence: Studies in Language Contraction and DeathCambridge University Press, 3 Sep 1992 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN0521437571
- ^N Middleton, P O'Keefe –Disaster And Development: The Politics of Humanitarian AidPluto Press, 20 November 1997 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN0745312241
- ^W Critchley –Looking After Our Land: Soil and Water Conservation in Dryland Africap.45- Oxfam, 1991 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN0855981709
- ^B Calas, CA Mumma Martinon –Shared Waters, Shared Opportunities: Hydropolitics in East AfricaAfrican Books Collective, 30 November 2010 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN9987080928
- ^C Ehret, M Posnansky -
- ^W Critchley
- ^S Boinski, P A Garber –On the Move: How and Why Animals Travel in GroupsUniversity of Chicago Press, 15 May 2000 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN0226063399
- ^"Oil in the cradle of mankind: A glimpse of Africa's future".The Economist.Retrieved11 July2015.
- ^"Kenya oil discovery after Tullow Oil drilling".BBC. 26 March 2012.Retrieved26 March2012.
- ^Watson, D.J., Binsbergen, J. van –Review of VSF-Belgium's 'Turkana emergency livestock off-take' intervention 2005ILRI (aka ILCA and ILRAD), 2008 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN9291462098
- ^Watson, D.J. –Community farmer field school animal health facilitators: hybridizing private animal health care and capacity building in remote pastoralist areasILRI (aka ILCA and ILRAD) Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN9291462276
- ^P Bonnet –Dromadaires et chameaux, animaux laitiers / Dromedaries and Camels, Milking AnimalsEditions Quae, 1 January 1998 Retrieved 2012-07-08ISBN2876143070
- ^"Strategic groundwater reserves found in Northern Kenya"(news release).UNESCO Media Services.11 September 2013.Retrieved12 September2013.
- ^Nicholas Kulish (11 September 2013)."Huge Aquifers Are Discovered in North Kenya".The New York Times.Retrieved12 September2013.
- ^naibuzz.com/2014/05/18/mining-of-water-begins-in-turkana-Kenya/
- ^"Kenya abandons exploration of unviable Turkana water aquifer".6 February 2022.
- ^"Office of the governor – Turkana County Government".Retrieved10 November2022.
- ^"Cheap flights to Lodwar | Fly540".fly540.com.Retrieved4 February2022.
- ^"Lodwar".skywardexpress.co.ke.Retrieved4 February2022.
- ^"ECHO Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP)"(PDF).European Commission.Retrieved4 February2022.