Turkana county at a glance
GEOGRAPHY
Location: Located in north western Kenya bordering Marsabit county to the east, Samburu county to the south east, and Baringo and West Pokot county to the south, to the South-west
Area (Km 2): 68,680.3 Km 2
Climate/Weather: Warm and hot climate, unreliable rainfall pattern ranging between 300mm and 400mm per annum
Road Network: Bitumen Surface (319.2 Km), Gravel Surface (296.7 Km), Earth Surface (2030.5 Km)
Key National Monument(s): Lake Turkana National Park
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POPULATION
Population: 855,399 (Male – 52 %, Female - 48 %)
Population Density: 6.9 people per Km 2
National Percentage: 2.2 %
Annual Growth Rate: Not Available
Age Distribution: 0-14 years (46.0%), 15-64 years (51.6 %), 65+ years (2.4%)
Number of Households: 123,192
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GOVERNMENT
County Capital: Lodwar Town (proposed)
Number of Constituencies (2010): 3 (Turkana North, Turkana Central, and Turkana South)
Registered Voters: 116,816
National percentage: 1.0 %
Number of Districts (2009): 6 (Turkana Central, Turkana North, Turkana South, Turkana West, Turkana East, Loima)
Number of Local Authorities (2010): 2 (Municipal council of Lodwar, County Council of Turkana)
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ECONOMICS
Poverty Level: 95% of population live below poverty line
Age Dependency Ratio: 89.4
Resources: Natural (gemstones and saltlicks, gold – dormant, wildlife, Lake Turkana, Turkwell Dam)
Tourist Attractions: Lake Turkana National Park, Loiyangalani Desert Museum
Financial Services: 3 Commercial Banks, 2 Micro-finance Institutions
Main Economic Activities/industries: Livestock farming and trade, fishing, weaving, and tourism
Agricultural products: Sorghum, Maize
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EDUCATION
Number of Institutions (2007): Primary (202), Secondary (19)
Primary: Enrolment (122,883)
Teacher to Pupil Ratio: 1: 51
Secondary: Enrolment (48,004)
Teacher to Pupil Ratio: 1: 27.7 (Public Schools)
Tertiary: At least 2 Institutions
Adult Literacy Classes: Enrolment (562)
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HEALTH
Health Facilities: District Hospitals (3), Sub-District Hospitals (2), Dispensaries (91), Health Centres (6), Medical Clinics (19), Health Programs (3) Others (3)
Doctor to Population Ratio: 1:52,434
Infant Mortality Rates: 60/1000
Under Five Mortality Rates: 12/1000
Prevalent Diseases: Malnutrition
Notable Hospitals: Lodwar, Katilu, and Lokitaung District Hospitals
Compiled by Institute of Economic Affairs: [email protected]