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

------------------
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

----------------------
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)

----------------------
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

----------------------
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) 

----------------------
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]