Turkana District
Encyclopedia
Turkana District is an administrative district
in the Rift Valley Province
of Kenya
. Turkana is the northwesternmost district in Kenya. 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 districts in Kenya are West Pokot
, Baringo
and Samburu District
s, while Marsabit District
is located on the opposite (i.e. eastern) shore of Lake Turkana.
With an area of nearly 77,000 km², Turkana is the largest district in Kenya. Its capital town is Lodwar
. The district has a population of 450,860 (1999 census).
The district has three constituencies:
03°07′31"N 35°35′23"E
Districts of Kenya
The provinces of Kenya are subdivided into number of districts .- List of districts of Kenya :Following a High Court ruling in September 2009, there are 46 legal districts in Kenya :Coast Province:...
in the Rift Valley Province
Rift Valley Province, Kenya
Rift Valley Province of Kenya, bordering Uganda, is one of Kenya's seven administrative provinces outside Nairobi.Rift Valley Province is the largest and one of the most economically important provinces in Kenya. It is dominated by the Great Rift Valley which passes through it and gives the...
of Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
. Turkana is the northwesternmost district in Kenya. It is bordered by the countries of Uganda
Uganda
Uganda , officially the Republic of Uganda, is a landlocked country in East Africa. Uganda is also known as the "Pearl of Africa". It is bordered on the east by Kenya, on the north by South Sudan, on the west by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, on the southwest by Rwanda, and on the south by...
to the west; South Sudan
South Sudan
South Sudan , officially the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country located in the Sahel region of northeastern Africa. It is also part of the North Africa UN sub-region. Its current capital is Juba, which is also its largest city; the capital city is planned to be moved to the more...
and Ethiopia
Ethiopia
Ethiopia , officially known as the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. It is the second-most populous nation in Africa, with over 82 million inhabitants, and the tenth-largest by area, occupying 1,100,000 km2...
, including the disputed Ilemi Triangle
Ilemi Triangle
The Ilemi Triangle is an area of disputed land in East Africa. Arbitrarily defined, it measures between 10,320 and 14,000 square kilometers . Named after Anuak chief Ilemi Akwon, the territory is claimed by South Sudan and Kenya and borders Ethiopia...
, to the north and northeast; and Lake Turkana
Lake Turkana
Lake Turkana , formerly known as Lake Rudolf, is a lake in the Great Rift Valley in Kenya, with its far northern end crossing into Ethiopia. It is the world's largest permanent desert lake and the world's largest alkaline lake...
to the east. To the south and east, neighbouring districts in Kenya are West Pokot
West Pokot District
West Pokot District is an administrative district in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. Its capital town is Kapenguria. The district has a population of 308,086 and an area of 9,064 km² . Pokot people inhabit the area....
, Baringo
Baringo District
Baringo District is an administrative district in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. Its capital town is Kabarnet. The district has a population of 264,978 and an area of 8,646 km² ....
and Samburu District
Samburu District
Samburu District is a district in Rift Valley Province, Kenya. It covers an area of roughly 21,000 km² in northern Kenya where the Samburu tribe live...
s, while Marsabit District
Marsabit District
Marsabit District is an administrative district in the Eastern Province of Kenya. Its capital town is Marsabit. The district has a population of 121,478 The district is located in northern Kenya. It borders the eastern shore of Lake Turkana....
is located on the opposite (i.e. eastern) shore of Lake Turkana.
With an area of nearly 77,000 km², Turkana is the largest district in Kenya. Its capital town is Lodwar
Lodwar
Lodwar is the largest town in northwestern Kenya, located west of Lake Turkana on the A1 road. Its main industries are basket weaving and tourism. The Loima Hills lie to its west. Lodwar is the capital of Turkana District...
. The district has a population of 450,860 (1999 census).
District subdivisions
| Local authorities (councils) | |||
| Authority | Type | Population* | Urban pop.* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lodwar Lodwar Lodwar is the largest town in northwestern Kenya, located west of Lake Turkana on the A1 road. Its main industries are basket weaving and tourism. The Loima Hills lie to its west. Lodwar is the capital of Turkana District... |
Municipality | 35,897 | 16,981 |
| Turkana | County | 414,963 | 26,563 |
| Total | - | 450,860 | 43,544 |
| Administrative divisions | |||
| Division | Population* | Population density |
Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | 35,919 | 45 | Lodwar |
| Kaaling | 24,053 | 3 | |
| Kainuk | 11,799 | 7 | |
| Kakuma | 97,114 | 26 | Kakuma Kakuma Kakuma town is located in Turkana District, in the northwestern region of Kenya. Kakuma is the Swahili word for "nowhere", epitomizing the seclusion of the area.... |
| Kalokol | 28,735 | 5 | Kalokol Kalokol Kalokol is a town on the western shore of Lake Turkana. The town is the administrative Head Quarters of Kalokol Division of Turkana District... |
| Katilu | 12,548 | 10 | |
| Kerio | 15,409 | 6 | |
| Kibish | 6,056 | - | |
| Lapur | 12,780 | 6 | |
| Lokichar | 21,791 | 5 | Lokichar Lokichar - External links :*... |
| Lokichogio | 36,187 | 5 | Lokichogio |
| Lokitaung | 22,586 | 12 | Lokitaung Lokitaung Lokitaung is a settlement in Kenya's Rift Valley Province.... |
| Loima | 33,979 | 10 | |
| Lokori | 17,915 | 3 | |
| Lomelo | 6,088 | 1 | |
| Oropol | 18,020 | 3 | Oropol |
| Turkwel | 49,881 | 9 | |
| Total | 450,860 | 7 (average) | - |
The district has three constituencies:
- Turkana North ConstituencyTurkana North ConstituencyTurkana North Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of three constituencies in Turkana District. The constituency was established for the 1997 elections. The constituency has 18 wards, all electing councillors to the Turkana County Council.- Members of Parliament :- Wards :...
- Turkana Central ConstituencyTurkana Central ConstituencyTurkana South Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of three constituencies in Turkana District. The constituency was established for the 1988 elections.- Members of Parliament :- Wards :...
- Turkana South ConstituencyTurkana South ConstituencyTurkana South Constituency is an electoral constituency in Kenya. It is one of three constituencies in Turkana District. The constituency was established for the 1963 elections. The constituency has eight wards, all electing councillors to the Turkana County Council.- Members of Parliament :- Wards :...
See also
- Eliye SpringsEliye SpringsEliye Springs, also known as Ille Springs, is a remote village on the western shore of Lake Turkana in Kenya. It is located 50 kilometres east of Lodwar and 40 kilometres south of Kalokol....
, a village located in Kalokol division. - Kenyans for KenyaKenyans for KenyaThe "Kenyans for Kenya" initiative is a fundraiser that was started in July 2011 by corporate leaders and the Red Cross in response to media reports of famine and deaths from starvation in Turkana District....
initiative.
External links
- http://www.aridland.go.ke/bulletins/June%202006-Turkana.pdf
- http://www.aridland.go.ke/districts.asp?DistrictID=1
- Map of the district
03°07′31"N 35°35′23"E