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.
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)
Population of Isiolo County
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%)
Government of Isiolo County
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