Isiolo County is a county in the former Eastern Province of Kenya. Its population was 268,002 according to 2019 census. The capital and largest town in the county is Isiolo. Isiolo County is set 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. The county is home to Sakuye and Borana tribes and a significant number of people from Turkana, Samburu, Gabra, Garre and Meru communities. 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. Source Religion in Isiolo County

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 airports 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

Political leadership

Abdi Ibrahim Hassan Guyo is the third governor for Isiolo and took office in 2022 and 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 third 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.

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 cadre ranging from doctors to biochemists.

Economy

The four main crops planted in Isiolo are maize, beans, sorghum and green grams. Livestock is also sold 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.

Urbanisation

Source: USAid Kenya

Notable people