Lodwar is the largest town in north-western Kenya, located west of Lake Turkana on the A1 road. It serves as the capital of Turkana County. This article delves into various aspects of Lodwar, including its history, climate, economy, challenges, and recent developments.
Lake Turkana in Kenya. Source: Wikipedia
Historical Background
Lodwar's history began around 1933 when a trader named Shah Mohamed arrived on the banks of the Turkwell River. He built a permanent trading centre in Lodwar, including a gas station. The district commissioner's office was built, followed by a small medical clinic and a government prison. Police headquarters were built in Lokitaung, as tribal disputes were common in the area. In the 1960s, missionaries built schools in and around the town.
During the colonial period, Lodwar functioned as a transit point for British officials moving Kenyan political prisoners to the north. Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya's first president, was restricted to house arrest for two years in Lodwar, beginning in 1959.
Jomo Kenyatta. Source: YouTube
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Geographical and Administrative Overview
Lodwar is considered the capital of the region, housing local and governmental facilities, including Turkana's biggest health facility and the main referral hospital, Lodwar County Hospital (LDH). It is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lodwar. The town is also served by Lodwar Airport.
Turkana County is the largest county by land area of 77,597.8 km2. It is bordered by Uganda to the west; South Sudan and Ethiopia to the north and northeast; and Lake Turkana to the east. Neighbouring counties include West Pokot, Baringo, and Samburu to the south and east, and Marsabit County on the eastern shore of Lake Turkana.
The county is led by H.E. Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai, and Turkana County has 10 Ministries.
Climate
Lodwar has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) with very high temperatures and very little rainfall throughout the year.
Turkana's climate catastrophe
Climate challenges in Turkana County. Source: YouTube
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Economy and Infrastructure
Lodwar's main industries are basket weaving and tourism. Only about 35 percent of Lower citizens in Lodwar have access to electricity in their homes.
Turkana County is emerging to be a major source of electric power in Kenya. Kengen's Turkwel Hydro Power Plant, situated on the southwest of Turkana County, produces hydroelectric power which is connected to the national power grid at Lessos.
Water Resources
The Lodwar Alluvial Aquifer comprises two unique systems east and west of the Lodwar municipality, on either side of the Turkwel River. Almost 1.3 billion cubic meters can be stored here with about 10% that can be utilized without causing unacceptable environmental, economic and social challenges. There is one shallow groundwater system in the region hosting potable freshwater, though its residents experience intermittent water shortages leading to the deaths of their cattle.
Demographics
The county had a population of 926,976 according to the 2019 census report. Christianity is the largest Religion in Turkana County representing 86% of the population.
In 1958, the district experienced an influx of a number of people classified as belonging to the Turkana people.
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Challenges and Development
Turkana is the poorest region in Kenya. In fact, 88% of the county’s population live below the international poverty level. In other words, 815,738 people out of the region’s population of 926,976 live on less than $1.90 a day.
Additionally, illiteracy in Lodwar is high and increasing, with only 50% of Turkana children attending school and adult literacy at 20%. Children in the Turkana area often attend school until they reach adolescence, where girls drop out to marry and boys leave school to help with livestock. Furthermore, Lodwar only has 17 schools.
Health issues such as susceptibility to preventable diseases are rampant due to food insecurity, water shortage, lack of latrines, and low awareness of personal hygiene. The infant and maternal mortality rates are also ranked very high at 66 infant deaths per 1,000 and 1,594 maternal deaths per 100,000 in the Turkana area.
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.
Recent Discoveries and Developments
The county is, however, experiencing upward reviews due to ongoing mineral explorations and inventions, especially of oil and water resources.
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. Promulgation of the Constitution of Kenya 2010 marked a momentous point in the country's history.
Strategic groundwater reserves have also been found in Northern Kenya. However, Kenya has abandoned exploration of unviable Turkana water aquifer.
Lake Turkana
Lodwar is located west of Lake Turkana. Lake Turkana is the fourth largest of the Eastern African lakes, measuring at 154 miles long and 10 to 15 miles wide. It is also the largest desert and alkaline lake, meaning it is shallow (240ft deep), very salty, and in pH level (9-12). Due to its geographic, geological and climatic conditions, the lake “provides habitats for maintaining diverse flora and fauna” and has a large crocodile population.
The first important discovery found at Lake Turkana was in 1972 when Bernard Ngenyeo and his colleagues Richard and Meave Leakey uncovered the fossil of a Homo habilis. Since then, the Leakeys and their team have made at least two other substantial discoveries at Lake Turkana. In 1984, an “almost-complete fossilized skeleton” of a Homo erectus, or “upright human” was found at the lake. This skeleton is famously known as the “Turkana Boy.” The most recent discovery at Lake Turkana was in 1995 when Meave Leakey and her team came across the fossils of an Australopithecus anamensis, an extremely old species of primates.
In addition to these scientific and historical discoveries, three National Parks have been established within the basin of Lake Turkana. The parks, South Island National Park, Central Island National, and Sibiloi National Park have active volcanoes and are inhabited with an abundance of wildlife including zebras, lions, hyenas, cheetahs, hippopotamus, and several species of bird.
Citizen Journalism in Turkana
Around Lodwar, Carol Akai and Bedan Lomor are recognised by the video cameras they carry. They are on a mission to put their birthplace on the map and their cameras are the tools with which they hope to make that happen.
Lomor comes from Nakukulus village in the west of Lodwar, and spends much of his time documenting the stories of his people as a citizen journalist. He strives to shine a light on the day-to-day problems his community faces, such as access to education and healthcare.
Akai has chosen to concentrate her stories on issues she feels strongly about. She became a citizen journalist because she wanted to help most women of Turkana whose needs are often overlooked in the community. She is already imparting her skills to other young people interested in documenting local stories.
Cordaid has helped provide cameras, while Content House assists with training and finding platforms to publish their stories. Through this project, Cordaid hopes to broaden channels of expression for marginalised communities in Turkana. They are using this project as a pilot with the aim of rolling out similar citizen-focused reporting in other areas of Kenya.
Peter Murimi, a Nairobi-based filmmaker, is in charge of training the citizen journalists to produce and direct their films.
Lodwar Adventure Guide
Lodwar is a secluded adventure hub in the Turkana region. It’s perfect for those seeking desert hikes, fishing on Lake Turkana, and cultural encounters with the indigenous Turkana people.
Always check local regulations, trail conditions, and weather forecasts before setting out on any adventure in Lodwar, Kenya.
Essential Travel Tips:
- Pack plenty of water and sun protection for desert hikes.
- Participate in cultural tours to understand local traditions.
- Plan ahead for remote transport and accommodation options.
Archaeological Sites
A major aspect and problem of archaeological work is the preservation of sites. Archaeological sites are prone to natural forces such as weathering along with human acts such as robbery and vandalism.
To conserve money, one idea of the Kenyatta House team was to reuse signs and pictures that were already featured at the site, including this one of Jomo Kenyatta. In addition, the Kenyatta House team also suggested the use of local radio stations and billboards to promote awareness and importance of the site.
The River House team were faced with a proposal that not only needed to include a plan for restoration, but also a plan to figure out what this house was used for! As of right now, all that is known about the River House was that it was constructed by prisoners to serve as a house for the people that worked in Turkana county court.
Once the Tribal Courts can be renovated, they proposed that the site should hold mock trials, where famous tribal court cases will be reenacted for the public.
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Land Area | 77,597.8 km2 |
| Population (2019) | 926,976 |
| Poverty Rate | 88% |
| Children attending school | 50% |
| Adult literacy | 20% |
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