Turkana County
Turkana County is a county in northwestern Kenya in the Northern Rift region. It is home to the Turkana people. It is Kenya's
largest county by land area of 77,597.8 km2 followed by Marsabit County with an area of 66,923.1 km2. 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 shore of Lake Turkana. Turkana's capital and largest town is Lodwar. The county had a population of 926,976 according to the 2019 census report. It is projected to reach 1.048 million people in 2024
History
Four sites of Stone Age cultures are situated on tributaries along the west side of Lake Turkana in West Turkana; at Lokalalei, Kokiselei and Nadungu. They became of interest to archaeologists sin 1988.The earliest late Stone Age industries in prehistory were found in Turkana, at the site of Lomekwi, and date to 3,300,000 years. 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.
From 1900 until 1926, the British colonial administration in Kenya gradually established control over the Turkana people. 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.
In 1958, the district experienced an influx of people classified as belonging to the Turkana group. These had been expelled from the Kenyan town of Isiolo, and forcibly relocated to the Turkana district by the colonial administration.
The district maintained an all but complete isolation until 1976 when road-blocks leading to the district were lifted by the Kenyan government.
In 2000, the people in the north of the county were reported as being harassed by marauding Ethiopians, and were consequently forced to relocate to southern areas.
Demographics
Population
Religion
Religion in Turkana CountyChristianity is the largest Religion in Turkana County representing 86% of the population. Catholicism is the largest denomination with 44% of the Population being Catholic and 28% being Protestant.
| Religion | 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. 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.Geography
The county is within the boundaries of the former Rift Valley province. According to data provided in 1991, the majority of the population were farmers. 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 as a major source of electric power in Kenya. Kengen's Turkwel Hydro Power Plant, situated in the southwest of Turkana County, produces hydroelectric power connected to the national power grid at Lessos. The county is currently experiencing crude oil exploration in Block 10BB and Block 13T and has the potential for geothermal, solar and wind energy.
Kekarongole and Katilu had irrigation networks made commencing sometime during or after 1975.
Rainfall per annum, is less than, with a range of between 115 mm and 650 mm.
There were thirteen drought periods in a period of 50 years beginning 1938.
Economics
Turkana is the poorest region in Kenya. The county is, however, experiencing upward reviews due to ongoing mineral explorations, 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 citizens. The current administration shares these benefits equally to all sub counties in addition to enhancing citizen participation in development activities.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, he further stated that:
Gold panning was reported as occurring at Lochoremoit, Namoruputh, Lokiriama and Ng' akoriyiek.
According to Barrett cited in Watson the wealth of a person is kept in the form of cattle.
Figures stated in 1998 gave an average estimated herd size of 15–20.
In 2013 it was announced by UNESCO that large reserves of groundwater had been discovered in Turkana County using satellite exploration technology, later confirmed by drilling. Extraction of the water began in 2014 and is being piped to Lodwar for irrigation and human consumption. However, this project was subsequently abandoned when it was found that the water in the aquifer was too salty to be treated or to be used for other purposes.
Government
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 progressive Bill of Rights. . Turkana County is one of the 47 counties of Kenya. The county is led by H.E. Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, and Turkana County has 10 Ministries.
Travel
The county is connected to Nairobi through regular commercial flights to Lodwar airport. The World Food Programme runs a special UN Humanitarian Air Service for UN and INGO staff.County subdivisions
The county has six constituencies:- Loima Constituency
- Turkana Central Constituency
- Turkana East Constituency
- Turkana North Constituency
- Turkana South Constituency
- Turkana West Constituency
| sub-county | headquarters |
| Turkana Central | Lodwar |
| Turkana North | Lokitaung |
| Turkana South | Lokichar |
| Turkana East | Lokori |
| Turkana West | Kakuma |
| Loima | Lorugum |