Isiolo County
County in Kenya
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Isiolo County is a county in the former Eastern Province of Kenya. The population was 268,002 according to the 2019 census.[1] The capital and largest town in the county is Isiolo. Isiolo County is to be the first county to be developed as part of the Kenya Vision 2030 program. Other upcoming urban centres are: Garbatulla, Modogashe, Kinna, Merti and Oldonyiro.[2] The county is home to the Sakuye, Somali and Borana tribes, there are a significant number of people from the Turkana, Samburu, Gabra and Garre communities.
The local topography is arid or semi-arid low plains. The Ewaso Nyiro River flows through the county and partly borders it. It borders Marsabit County to the north, Wajir County to the east, Garissa and Tana River counties to the south east, Meru County to the south, Laikipia County to the south west and Samburu County to the west.
Three different National Game Reserves are located in Isiolo County: Bisanadi National Reserve, Buffalo Springs National Reserve and Shaba National Reserve.[2]
Demographics
Isiolo county has a total population of 268,002 persons at the 2019 census, 139,510 are males; and 128,483 are females; and 9 intersex persons. There is an average of 4.6 persons per household and a population density of 11 persons per square km.[3]
| Subcounty | No of Persons |
|---|---|
| Garbatulla | 99,730 |
| Isiolo | 121,066 |
| Merti | 47,206 |
| TOTAL | 268,002 |
Source[1]
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 43,478 | — |
| 1989 | 70,078 | +61.2% |
| 1999 | 100,861 | +43.9% |
| 2009 | 143,294 | +42.1% |
| 2019 | 268,002 | +87.0% |
| source:[4] | ||
Religion in Isiolo County
| Religion (2019 Census) | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Islam | 193,775 | 69.12% |
| Catholic | 32,608 | 11.63% |
| Protestant | 18,583 | 6.63% |
| Evangelical Churches | 7,669 | 2.74% |
| African instituted Churches | 1.709 | 0.61% |
| Orthodox | 200 | 0.07% |
| Other Cristian | 3,688 | 1.32% |
| Traditionists | 8,419 | 3.00% |
| Hindu | 100 | 0.04% |
| Other | 932 | 0.33% |
| No Religion Atheists | 12.551 | 4.48% |
| Don't Know | 69 | 0.02% |
| Not Stated | 36 [5] | 0.01% |
Infrastructure and transport
Administrative and political units
As of 2018, the county has two constituencies (Isiolo North Constituency and Isiolo South Constituency), three sub-counties and ten wards.[2]
There are a total of 10 county assembly wards, 71 locations and 144 sub-locations[9]
| Constituency | Sub-county | Area (Sq. km) | Ward |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isiolo North | Isiolo | 3,269 | Wabera |
| Bulla Pesa | |||
| Burat | |||
| Ngaremara | |||
| Oldonyiro | |||
| Merti | 12,612 | Chari | |
| Cherab | |||
| Isiolo South | Garbatulla | 9,819 | Kinna |
| Garbatulla | |||
| Sericho | |||
| Total: 2 | 3 | 25,700 | 10 |
Political leadership
Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo is the third governor of Isiolo who took office in 2022, he is deputized by Dr. James Lowasa. Fatuma Dullo is the senator and also the first woman to be elected as a senator in Kenya. Mumina Bonaya is the sitting women representative for isiolo and the third to hold the office.[10]
Education
There are 213 ECD centres with enrolment of 5148 pupils, 124 primary schools of which 107 are public and 17 are private schools. 23 secondary schools are spread across the county of which 16 are public and 7 are private schools.[11]
Furthermore, there are two youth polytechnics, three tertiary institutions and two vocational training centres in the county.[12]
Health
There are three hospitals in Isiolo County, two of which are government owned. One hospital is a faith based organisation. There are also five health centres, thirty three dispensaries, and three clinics.
Isiolo county has a total of 214 medical personnel of different specialties ranging from doctors to biochemists.[13]
Economy
Urbanisation
| County | Stats for the County (Per cent) | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Urbanisation | |||||||||
| Literacy | |||||||||
| Attending School (15-18 Yrs) | |||||||||
| Paved Roads | |||||||||
| Good Roads | |||||||||
| Electricity Access | |||||||||
| Poverty Rate | |||||||||
|
Stats for the County | |||||||||
Source: USAid Kenya
Notable people
- Hon. Godana Adhi Doyo First governor of Isiolo County 2013-2017
- Hon. Dr Mohammed Abdi Kuti, The longest servicing politician from Isiolo County, served 2 terms as a member of parliament of Isiolo North Constituency, Served as the first Senator of Isiolo County 2013 under the new constitution and later on became the 2nd governor of Isiolo County in 2017-2022.
- Hon. Fatuma Adan Dullo First female senator in 2017 Kenya and current senator of Isiolo County.
- Hon. Rehema Jaldesa Former women representative of Isiolo County 2017-2022.
- Hon. Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo current Governor of Isiolo County.
- Hon. Joseph Lomwa Samal Member of Parliament Isiolo North Constituency 2013-2017 & currently serving again from 2022.
- Hon. Hassan Oda Hulufo former Member of Parliament Isiolo North Constituency 2017-2022.
- Former SSP Mohamed Godana Jarssa & 2007 Isiolo North Aspirant who fell 200 votes short against incumbent Mohamed Abdi Kuti.