Isiolo County is a county in the former Eastern Province of Kenya. Its population is 268,002 (2019 census) and its capital is Isiolo. Isiolo County is to be the first county to be developed as part of the Kenya Vision 2030 program. Its capital and largest town is Isiolo. Other upcoming urban centres are: Garbatulla, Modogashe, Kinna, Merti and Oldonyiro.
The local topography is arid or semi-arid low plains. Ewaso Nyiro River flows through the county and partly bounds 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.
Demographics
Isiolo county has a total population of 268,002 persons as 2019 census and of this 139,510 are males; 128,483 are females; 9 intersex persons. There is an average size of 4.6 persons per household and a population density of 11 persons per square Km.
| Subcounty | No of Persons |
|---|---|
| Garbatulla | 99,730 |
| Isiolo | 121,066 |
| Merti | 47,206 |
| TOTAL | 268,002 |
Source
| 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: |
Infrastructure and Transport
Isiolo covered by 1,185.49 km of earth, 263.7 km of murram and 35 km of bitumen as at 2014. There are 1,149 installed letter boxes, 851 rented letter boxes and vacant letter boxes.
Isiolo airport is one of the key airport in the county.
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.
There are a total of 10 county assembly wards, 71 locations and 144 sub-locations
| 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
Mohamed Kuti is the second governor for Isiolo and took office in 2017 and he deputised by Ibrahim Abdi Issa. Adan Dullo Fatuma is the senator and also the first woman to be elected as a senator in Kenya. Rehema Dida Jaldesa is the seating women representative for isiolo and second to hold the office.
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.
Furthermore there are two youth polytechnics, three tertiary institutions and two vocational training centres in the county.
List of Secondary Schools in Isiolo County
1. Isiolo Boys Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 17306101
2. Isiolo Girls’ Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 17306102
3. St. Paul’s Kiwanjani Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 17306104
4. Garbatula High School – Mixed Day & Boarding – 17322101
5. Kinna Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 17322201
6. Merti Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 17356101
7. Merti Muslim Girls’ Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 17356102
Health
There are three hospitals of which two is government owned an other one faith based organisation, five health centres, thirty three dispensaries, and three clinics.
Isiolo county has a total of 214 medical personnel of different cadre ranging from doctors to biochemists.
Economy
In agriculture the four main crops planted in Isiolo are maize, beans, sorghum and green grams. Livestock also is an economy earner and the four animals kept are cattle (Indigenous), cattle (dairy), camels, sheep, and goats.
A total of 178 ponds were in various places in the county in 2014.
and Urbanisation
| County | Stats for the County (Percent) |
|---|---|
| Urbanisation | 43.5 |
| Literacy | 59.8 |
| Attending School (15-18 Yrs) | 58.4 |
| Paved Roads | 0.2 |
| Good Roads | 67.5 |
| Electricity Access | 18.5 |
| Poverty Rate | 72.6 |
| Stats for the County |
Source: USAid Kenya
Notable people
- Hon. Godana Doyo, First governor, Isiolo County
- Mr. Barnabas Esunyen, First County Chief officer of ICT of Isiolo County government 2013-2017
- Hon. Rehema Jaldesa, women representative of Isiolo County
- Hon. Mohammed Kuti, governor, Isiolo County & a 2 term MP, Isiolo North
