Isiolo County Government, News, Tenders, Contacts, Website and Map

Isiolo County News

Isiolo County is located in the upper eastern region of Kenya. It borders seven counties with Garissa to the east, Wajir to the north east, Meru to the south west, Samburu to the east and Marsabit to the north west, with Kitui and Tana River counties to the south west and south east respectively.

Expectations are high about the Isiolo County.  Across the beautiful hills, valleys,acacia trees and the savannah grasslands of Isiolo, winds of change are blowing. Isiolo is a virgin space, a wonderful piece of creation. The Isiolians and Kenyans alike are up-beat on how they are going to fit into the Isiolo County and the Isiolo ecosystem. Isiolo sits at the center of the world that is watching keenly at the unfolding developments taking place there. Isiolo’s strategic position is irresistible and attractive to local and international investors.

The realization and implementation of the Isiolo resort city was initiated three years ago by the former president of Kenya Hon. Mwai Kibaki when he officially launched the construction of the Isiolo international Airport and later the LAPSSET(Lamu Port Southern Sudan Ethiopia Transport) Corridor project. In addition, an abattoir is nearing completion and disease free zones have been identified to feed it with three hundred animals per day. Among the highlights of the Isiolo County is the Isiolo resort city, the Lamu-Isiolo-Juba and Nairobi-Isiolo-Ethiopia superhighways, the Isiolo International Airport, the Isiolo refinery, the Isiolo artificial lake, the Isiolo film industry and Isiolo tourist villages. The Isiolo resort city by design sits between two hills on the Kipsing Gap and is modeled to have a wonderful coexistence with nature with a golf course and tourist villages at its midst. The city will border an artificial lake, Lewa conservancy, the Samburu game reserve and Isiolo old town.The massive artificial lake will be a wonderful sight to behold with fishing and boat racing as the main tourist attractions. The lake waters will irrigate the semi-arid land into green orchards and forests.

Isiolians derive their livelihood from entertaining tourists who come seasonally to watch and interact with the wildlife, the Isiolo Big five (Grevy Zebra, Oryx, Somali Ostrich, Lion, reticulated giraffe). The Isiolo Big Five are found in the Buffalo springs game reserve bordering Samburu game reserve, Shaba game reserve and Bisnadi game reserve near Meru game reserve.

Isiolo game reserves that house The Sarova Lodge, Simba Lodge and Bisinadi Lodge are part of tourist circuit that spans Masai Mara, Samburu-Isiolo, Lewa and Mt Kenya. According to the Governor, the wildlife and the culture of Isiolo people, the Samburu, Turkana, Borona, Gabra, Somali, Ameru are intertwined and must be conserved at all costs. An array of technologies such as surveillance aircrafts have been proposed to eradicate poaching and enhance security in the game parks. The Government of Isiolo will ensure that the rapid infrastructural development does not disrupt nature.

Isiolo is poised to become an economic elephant, an industrial hub and international trade center. Among the key projects the Isiolo Governmentplans to initiate are the solar and wind Energy farms, Broadband connectivity to every primary school and massive irrigation projects.

Geography, Weather and the Climate of Isiolo County

Most parts of the County are arid and receive less than 150 mm per year. Some areas such as Garbatulla are completely dry and no agricultural activities can be carried out.

The Kinna region of the County represents the semi-arid area that support pastoralism. However, during the dry seasons pastrolists move to neighboring counties in search of water and pasture for their livestock.

In general, the county receives low rainfall of between 300-500 mm annually, and experiences temperatures of between 12°C and 28°C. The common vegetation is shrubs and acacia trees due to the dry nature of the area.

The average altitude of Isiolo County is 200-300 meters above the sea level although some parts of the county go up to 1000 meters above sea level. The lowest point of the county is Lorian swamp.

Economic Activities in the County of Isiolo

The Ameru people in the area practice agriculture and livestock rearing in small scale. They mainly grow vegetables such as cabbages, tomatoes and carrots which are sold in Isiolo and Nanyuki town. Livestock rearing is practiced widely in Kinna and around Lorian Swamp where pasture and water are available.

Livestock products are consumed within Isiolo town and the rest supplied to major towns and cities like Nairobi. The Kenya Meat Commission is a major buyer of livestock from the farmers. Borana and Turkana women participate in jewelry making, crafting jewelry for sell to tourists who frequent the town.

Economy, Business and Investment Opportunities in Isiolo County

The country has the potential of cashing in on future developments in the hospitality industry after Isiolo town recently acquired the status of a resort city. The Samburu and Shaba Game reserves, Buffalo Springs, Lewa Downs and the Meru National Park are popular tourist destinations.

Nomadic pastoralist communities are very dominant in the country and contribute a large portion towards meeting the county’s demand for meat. Traditional jewellery making also contributes to the local tourism market. As the gateway into Northern Kenya, the county has a large market for cereals, fruits and vegetables.

Served by a number of airstrips, the county has a range of hotels, restaurants, clubs and camp-sites that cater to the varying needs of both locals and travellers to the region. River Ewaso Nyiro flows through the county and is a critical source of water for the regions wildlife, livestock and human consumption.

Tourist Attractions in Isiolo County

Tourist attractions in Isiolo County include: Lewa Downs, Buffalo Springs, Shaba, and Bisanadi game reserves. These attractions attract both local and foreign tourists.

Animal Reserves

Shaba National Reserve

Category: Touirist Attractions in Isiolo County

Shaba National Reserve Kenya is the home of Joy Adamson’s monument. There is one lodge in Shaba with 178 beds and one tented lodge with 34. The major attractions are the scenic landscape and riverine forest and 17 springs where animal congregate during the dry season.

For more information visit: Shaba National Reserve

Buffalo Springs National Reserve

Category: Touirist Attractions in Isiolo County

Buffalo Springs National Reserve Kenya was named after an oasis of clear water at its western end. It is the natural home to five rare species known as the five northern species which are endemic to this area: Grevys Zebra, Somali ostrich, Reticulated Giraffe, Gerenuk and the Beisa oryx.

For more information visit: Buffalo Springs National Reserve

Bisanandi National Reserve

Category: Touirist Attractions in Isiolo County

Bisanandi National Reserve is a wildlife sanctuary also called Kinna national reserve with an area of 606 sq km. It is managed by the Kws.

Bisanandi National Reserve is next to the Meru National Park and the border between the two parks is the traditional boundary between the Meru and the Borana people of eastern province, the reserve was opened in September 1979.

For more information visit: Bisanandi National Park

Accommodation and Hotels/Restaurant in Isiolo

The county has several hotels and lodges which offer affordable accommodation. Some of the hotels include Hills restaurant and Shaba Game Lodge. Other more affordable hotels Isiolo town include Bonen Hotel, Moti Pearl Hotel and Mocharo lodge.

Banks in Isiolo town

Financial institutions in this town include Barclays Bank, Consolidated Bank Kenya, Kenya Commercial Bank, Post Bank, K-rep Bank and Equity Bank.

Hospitals in Isiolo County

The only district hospital in the county is Isiolo District hospital. However, there are 24 small health centers found in different wards of the county. Private hospital located in Isiolo town is Al Falah medical Centre.

Education in Isiolo

The county has over 90 primary schools, 11 secondary schools and 1 tertiary institution. Among the top schools in the county are Isiolo Boys High school, Isiolo Girls High School and Garbatula High School. St. Mary’s Secretarial College is the only tertiary institution in the region.

Isiolo County Tenders

Isiolo county tenders are awarded in a free, fair and transparency manner in the need to fight corruption in the country.

To access tenders in Isiolo county click the link: http://www.isiolo.go.ke/tenders for the latest job opportunities in the county.

Isiolo County Jobs

Isiolo County Jobs opportunities for all qualified personnel and those who would wish to work with Isiolo County government. Jobs in Isiolo County are posted on the county website.

Jobs in Isiolo County are awarded in a free, fair and transparency manner in the need to fight corruption in the country.

To access these Isiolo county jobs advertisement click the link Isiolo County Jobs for the latest job opportunities in the county.

Isiolo County Governor and Deputy Governor

The current governor of Isiolo County is Hon. Godana Doyo and the deputy governor is Hon. Mohammed Guleid.

Constituencies in Isiolo County

1. Isiolo North Constituency
2. Isiolo South Constituency

Isiolo County Wards

Details about Isiolo County Wards will be updated soon…

Facts About Isiolo County

Area (Km 2): 25,336.1 Km 2

Climate/Weather: Temperatures range from minimum of between 12 degrees C to a maximum of – 28 degrees C. Rainfall ranges from 150mm to 650 mm per annum typical of ASALs in Kenya.

Road Network:
Bitumen Surface (11 Km),
Gravel Surface (87.6 Km),
Earth Surface (289.3 Km)

Isiolo County Population

Population: 143,294

Male – 51%

Female – 49 %

Population Density: 5.66 people per Km 2

National Percentage: 0.37 %

Annual Growth Rate: 1.45%

Age Distribution:

0-14 years (44 %)

15-64 years (52 %)

65+ years (4%)

Isiolo County Government

County Capital: Isiolo Town (proposed)

Number of Constituencies (2010): 2 (Isiolo North and Isiolo South)

Registered Voters: 33,434

National percentage: 0.27 %

Number of Districts (2009): 2 (Isiolo and Garbatulla)

Number of Local Authorities (2010): 1 (County Council of Isiolo)

Economy of Isiolo County

Poverty Level: 71 % of population live below poverty line.

Age Dependency Ratio: 103

Resources: Forests, wildlife, minerals, building sand, water, pasture and land.

Tourist Attractions: Buffalo Springs, Shaba and Bisanadi Game Reserves and the Lewa Downs Conservancy are situated within the county.

Financial Services: 6 Commercial bank branches, 1 Micro-Finance Institution.

Main Economic Activities/industries: Pastoralism, subsistence agriculture, small-scale trade, and limited harvesting of gum Arabica resin.
Agricultural products: Beef, milk and limited cultivation of crops.

Education in Isiolo County

Number of institutions (2007): Primary (91), Secondary (11), Tertiary (1)

Primary: Total Enrolment (24,004)Teacher to Pupil Ratio: 1: 38.6 (Public Schools)

Secondary: Total Enrolment (2,155) Teacher to Pupil Ratio: 1: 26 (Public Schools)

Tertiary: 1 (Isiolo Youth Polytechnic)

Adult Literacy Classes: Total Enrolment (1,158)

Health in Isiolo County

Health Facilities: Dispensaries (24), Health Centres (1), District Hospitals (1)

Infant Mortality Rates: 43/1000

Under Five Mortality Rates: 56/1000

Isiolo County Contacts

Physical Address
Isiolo Town, Hospital Road, Isiolo County Government Headquarters

Postal Address
P.O. Box 36 – 30600, Isiolo

Customer service Hotline

Emails
info@isiolo.go.ke

Isiolo County Website

Website: isiolo.go.ke

Isiolo County Map

Isiolo County Video