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Legal & Regulatory

Full List of All Wards in Turkana County: Everything You Need to Know

  • BY waceke
  • March 15, 2025
turkana county

Turkana County, sprawling across Kenya’s northwest frontier, is more than just the country’s largest county—it’s a land of untapped opportunities waiting for savvy business professionals to explore. Covering 77,597.8 square kilometers and home to over 926,976 people (2019 Kenya Census), Turkana is a region where vast landscapes meet ambitious potential. For Kenyan entrepreneurs, investors, and corporate leaders, understanding its administrative makeup—6 sub-counties divided into 30 electoral wards—is the key to cracking open this frontier market.

In this in-depth guide, we’ll list all 30 wards across Turkana’s six constituencies, dive into their economic significance, and share fresh insights on how they can drive your business forward in 2025. From the oil-rich plains of Lokichar to the bustling trade hub of Lodwar Township, Turkana’s wards are as diverse as they are promising. Let’s get into it and see what this county has in store for you.

Turkana County: A Frontier of Opportunity for Kenyan Businesses

Turkana County sits in the former Rift Valley Province, bordered by Uganda to the west, South Sudan and Ethiopia to the north, and Lake Turkana to the east. With Lodwar as its headquarters, it’s governed by Jeremiah Ekamais Lomorukai Napotikan and boasts a population projected to hit 1.048 million by 2025 (county estimates). Its sheer size—larger than some countries—pairs with a unique economic profile: pastoralism, emerging oil wealth, and renewable energy projects like the Lake Turkana Wind Power station.

For businesses, Turkana is a diamond in the rough. Agriculture, though challenged by arid conditions, supports 80% of livelihoods via livestock, while oil discoveries in Turkana South and East promise a new economic era. The county’s 6 sub-counties—Turkana North, Turkana West, Turkana Central, Loima, Turkana South, and Turkana East—split into 30 wards, each with an elected MCA steering local growth. Ready to explore these wards? Here’s the full rundown.

Full List of Wards in Turkana County by Constituency

Turkana’s 30 wards are spread across six constituencies, each offering distinct opportunities. Below, we break them down with a snapshot of their vibe and business potential.

Turkana North Constituency

Population: ~150,000 (est.). A rugged northern frontier with pastoralism and cross-border trade.

  1. Kaeris Ward
    • Snapshot: Remote, pastoralist-driven with proximity to Ethiopia.
    • Business Potential: Livestock trade or cross-border logistics.
  2. Lake Zone Ward
    • Snapshot: Borders Lake Turkana, fishing and pastoralism mix.
    • Business Potential: Fish processing or tourism ventures.
  3. Lapur Ward
    • Snapshot: Near South Sudan, pastoralist hub.
    • Business Potential: Livestock markets or renewable energy solutions.
  4. Kaaleng/Kaikor Ward
    • Snapshot: Rural with pastoral and trading activity.
    • Business Potential: Mobile banking or solar products for off-grid communities.
  5. Kibish Ward
    • Snapshot: Remote, near disputed Ilemi Triangle.
    • Business Potential: Security services or pastoral supply chains.
  6. Nakalale Ward
    • Snapshot: Pastoral with small trade centers.
    • Business Potential: Retail or microfinance for rural traders.

Turkana West Constituency

Population: ~200,000 (est.). A busy western hub with refugee and trade dynamics.

  1. Kakuma Ward
    • Snapshot: Hosts Kakuma Refugee Camp, a bustling trade zone.
    • Business Potential: Retail, logistics, or humanitarian supply chains.
  2. Lopur Ward
    • Snapshot: Pastoral with proximity to Kakuma.
    • Business Potential: Livestock trade or camp-related services.
  3. Letea Ward
    • Snapshot: Rural, pastoralist-focused.
    • Business Potential: Solar energy or farm inputs.
  4. Songot Ward
    • Snapshot: Near Uganda border, trade activity.
    • Business Potential: Cross-border commerce or transport.
  5. Kalobeyei Ward
    • Snapshot: Home to Kalobeyei Settlement, a growing community.
    • Business Potential: Housing, retail, or education services.
  6. Lokichogio Ward
    • Snapshot: Former NGO hub with airstrip and trade.
    • Business Potential: Aviation logistics or hospitality.
  7. Nanaam Ward
    • Snapshot: Pastoral with small markets.
    • Business Potential: Consumer goods or microfinance.

Turkana Central Constituency

Population: ~250,000 (est.). The county’s heart, with Lodwar as its pulse.

  1. Kerio Delta Ward
    • Snapshot: Near Turkana Basin, pastoral and fishing.
    • Business Potential: Fish trade or oil-related services.
  2. Kang’atotha Ward
    • Snapshot: Rural with pastoral roots.
    • Business Potential: Livestock markets or solar solutions.
  3. Kalokol Ward
    • Snapshot: Lakeside, fishing and trade hub.
    • Business Potential: Fish processing or tourism.
  4. Lodwar Township Ward
    • Snapshot: Urban center of Turkana, commercial hub.
    • Business Potential: Retail, real estate, or tech services.
  5. Kanamkemer Ward
    • Snapshot: Near Lodwar, urbanizing fast.
    • Business Potential: Housing or consumer goods distribution.

Loima Constituency

Population: ~130,000 (est.). A pastoral expanse with untapped potential.

  1. Kotaruk/Lobei Ward
    • Snapshot: Rural, livestock-driven.
    • Business Potential: Livestock trade or water solutions.
  2. Turkwel Ward
    • Snapshot: Near Turkwel Dam, pastoral and hydro-energy.
    • Business Potential: Renewable energy or irrigation projects.
  3. Loima Ward
    • Snapshot: Central ward with pastoral focus.
    • Business Potential: Microfinance or rural retail.
  4. Lokiriama/Lorengippi Ward
    • Snapshot: Remote, near West Pokot.
    • Business Potential: Cross-county trade or solar energy.

Turkana South Constituency

Population: ~150,000 (est.). Oil-rich and agriculturally promising.

  1. Kaputir Ward
    • Snapshot: Pastoral with oil exploration nearby.
    • Business Potential: Oil support services or logistics.
  2. Katilu Ward
    • Snapshot: Rural with irrigation potential.
    • Business Potential: Agri-tech or water management.
  3. Lobokat Ward
    • Snapshot: Pastoral with small trade centers.
    • Business Potential: Retail or livestock markets.
  4. Kalapata Ward
    • Snapshot: Remote, pastoralist hub.
    • Business Potential: Solar solutions or micro-enterprises.
  5. Lokichar Ward
    • Snapshot: Oil exploration epicenter.
    • Business Potential: Oil and gas services or infrastructure.

Turkana East Constituency

Population: ~100,000 (est.). A rugged east with oil and pastoralism.

  1. Kapedo/Napeitom Ward
    • Snapshot: Near Baringo, pastoral with security challenges.
    • Business Potential: Security services or livestock trade.
  2. Katilia Ward
    • Snapshot: Rural, pastoral focus.
    • Business Potential: Farm inputs or microfinance.
  3. Lokori/Kochodin Ward
    • Snapshot: Oil zone with pastoral roots.
    • Business Potential: Oil logistics or rural retail.

Economic Engines of Turkana’s Wards

Turkana’s wards power an economy on the cusp of transformation. Pastoralism employs 80% of residents, with livestock worth KSh 10 billion annually (county data). Oil discoveries in Lokichar and Lokori/Kochodin, estimated at 750 million barrels (Tullow Oil), could add billions to the GDP by 2025. The Lake Turkana Wind Power project, with 365 turbines, generates 310 MW—10% of Kenya’s electricity—boosting wards like Kalokol and Turkwel. Add 238,528 registered voters (IEBC 2022), and you’ve got a growing consumer base.

Key drivers:

  • Livestock: 3 million cattle, goats, and sheep, per county estimates.
  • Oil Reserves: Production could hit 70,000 barrels daily by 2026.
  • Renewable Energy: Wind power supports industrial growth.

For businesses, this mix of tradition and innovation is ripe for the picking.

Business Opportunities Across Turkana’s Wards

Turkana’s wards offer tailored prospects for 2025. Here’s where to focus:

Oil and Gas Ventures

  • Target Wards: Lokichar, Lokori/Kochodin, Kaputir.
  • Opportunities: Supply chain logistics, equipment leasing, or workforce training.
  • Why: Oil production ramps up, needing support services.

Renewable Energy and Infrastructure

  • Target Wards: Turkwel, Kalokol, Lake Zone.
  • Opportunities: Solar installations, wind tech support, or irrigation systems.
  • Why: Wind power and arid land demand sustainable solutions.

Retail and Consumer Markets

  • Target Wards: Lodwar Township, Kakuma, Kanamkemer.
  • Opportunities: Retail outlets, FMCG, or mobile tech.
  • Why: Urbanizing wards see 8% consumer growth yearly.

Livestock and Agri-Tech

  • Target Wards: Kaeris, Lopur, Katilu, Kang’atotha.
  • Opportunities: Livestock markets, feed supply, or water tech.
  • Why: Pastoralism dominates, but lacks modern inputs.

Challenges and Fresh Angles

Turkana’s wards face hurdles that sharp businesses can turn into wins:

  • Arid Conditions: Only 20% of land is arable—water tech or drought-resistant crops could thrive.
  • Infrastructure Gaps: Rural wards like Kibish need roads—logistics firms can step in.
  • Skills Shortage: Oil and wind projects demand training—education ventures have a niche.

A fresh take: Turkana’s wards are a sandbox for resilience-driven business models. Pair Lodwar’s urban demand with Lokichar’s oil output, or link Kakuma’s refugee market with cross-border trade in Songot. The county’s youth—60% under 25—offer a workforce ready for tech or trade skills.

How to Tap Into Turkana’s Wards

Here’s your roadmap:

  1. Pick Your Ward: Match your venture—oil in Lokichar, retail in Lodwar—to local needs.
  2. Get Local Insight: Visit Kakuma or Kalokol to meet traders or MCAs.
  3. Align with Plans: The KSh 10 billion 2024/2025 budget targets energy and water—sync up.
  4. Partner Smart: Link with NGOs or Saccos for credibility.
  5. Leverage Digital: M-Pesa rules even in Kaeris—go online to scale.