Turkana County Background
Turkana county is the second largest of the forty-seven counties in the Republic of Kenya with its headquarters in Lodwar Town, Turkana Central Sub County. Because of the activities and discoveries of pre-human and human fossils made by paleontologists Turkana is christened as the ‘Origin of mankind’. The county is predominantly home to the Turkana people. The two main economic activities in the county are pastoralism and fishing. The most common livestock kept include: goats, camels and zebu cattle while for the fishing carried out in Lake Turkana the species caught are Tilapia and Nile Perch.
Turkana County is a key source of energy, including hydroelectric power generation from the Turkwel dam, oil prospecting, and other renewable energy sources including wind, solar, and geothermal. The Lamu South Sudan Ethiopia Transport (LAPSSET) Corridor crosses through the county, opening potential for investment in tourism and allied businesses. Lake Turkana, Central Highland National Park, and two islands on Lake Turkana that serve as rest stops for migratory birds are among the tourist attractions. The parks are also home to Nile crocodiles, hippopotamus, and snakes.
Turkana is in the northwestern part of Kenya. It is located between Longitudes 34° 30’E and 36° 40’E, and between Latitudes 10° 30’N and 50° 30’N. It has an area of 71,597.6 square kilometers. It borders Uganda to the west, South Sudan to the north, and Ethiopia to the northeast. Internally, it shares borders with West Pokot and Baringo counties to the south, Samburu County to the southeast, and Marsabit County to the east.
The county is administratively divided into eleven (11) sub-counties, namely: Turkana West, Kibish, Turkana Central, Turkana South, Turkana East, Turkana North, Loima, Lokiriama, Lokichoggio, Suguta and Aroo. The county has 30 wards, 66 locations and 163 sub-locations.
The proportion of deliveries conducted by a skilled provider at 53%. Fifty eight of Women aged 15-49 who had a live birth and had 4+ antenatal visits.Women age 15-49 with a postnatal check during the first 2 days after birth 58%. Births with a postnatal check during the first 2 days after birth 62%. Children age 12-23 months fully vaccinated (basic antigens) (60%) Neonatal mortality 4 (deaths per 1,000 live births) 21%. Infant mortality4 (deaths per 1,000 live births) 29%. Under-5 mortality4 (deaths per 1,000 live births) 55%. According to the Kenya Demographic Health Survey 2022.
Total fertility rate (number of children per woman) 6.0%. Teenage pregnancy (% age 15-19 who have ever been pregnant) 19%. Use of modern method of FP among married women age(15-49) 31%. Unmet need for FP1 among married women age (15-49) 16%. Demand for FP satisfied by modern methods among married women age (15-49) 55%.
Women age 15-49 who have ever experienced physical violence since age 15 (42%). Women age 15-49 who experienced physical violence in the last 12 months (often or sometimes) (20%).Women age 15-49 who have ever experienced sexual violence (11%) .Women age 15-49 who experienced sexual violence in the last 12 months (7%) Women age 15-49 who have ever been married or had an intimate partner & have ever experienced physical, sexual, or psychological/emotional violence committed by their most recent husband/partner (39%). Women age 15-49 who have ever been married or had an intimate partner & have experienced physical, sexual, or psychological/emotional violence committed by any husband/partner in the last 12 months (23%). (Source 2022 Kenya Demographic Health Survey).