Marsabit County (up to 2010 Marsabit District) is a county of Kenya. Covering a surface area of 66.923,1 square kilometres Marsabit is the largest county in Kenya. Its capital is Marsabit and its largest town Moyale. According to the 2019 census, the county has a population of 459,785. It is bordered to the North by Ethiopia, to the West by Turkana County to the South by Samburu County and Isiolo County, and to the East by Wajir County.
Geography
The county is located in central north Kenya. It borders the eastern shore of Lake Turkana. Important topographical features are: Ol Donyo Ranges (2,066m) in the southwest, Mount Marsabit (1,865m) in the central part of the county, Hurri Hills (1,685m) in the northeastern part of the county, Mount Kulal (2,235m) in the northwest and the mountains around Sololo-Moyale escarpment (up to 1,400m) in the northeast. The Chalbi Desert makes up much of the center region of the county.
Physical and Tropical Features
The county is made of an extensive plain lying 300m and 900m above sea level which gently slopes towards the south east. Some of the prominent features include Ol Donyo (2,066m above sea level), Mt. Marsabit (1,865m above sea level), Hurri Hills (1,685m above sea level) Mt. Kulal (2,235m above sea level) and the Sololo-Moyale escarpment (up to 1,400m above sea level).
Climatic Conditions
The county experience semi-arid climatic conditions with an average temperature range between 15C – 26C and Annual rainfall ranges between 200mm and 1,000mm per annum. long start in April and May and short rain seasons from November and December.
Demographics
The county has a total population of 459,785 of which 243,548 are males, 216,219 females and 18 intersex persons. There are 77,495 household with an average household size of 5.8 persons per household and a population density 6 people per square kilometre
Population
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | 96,216 | — |
| 1989 | 129,262 | +34.3% |
| 1999 | 174,957 | +35.4% |
| 2009 | 291,166 | +66.4% |
| 2019 | 459,785 | +57.9% |
| source: |
| Urban Centre | 2019 Population |
|---|---|
| Moyale | 37,387 |
| Marsabit | 14,907 |
| Sololo | 9,104 |
| Loiyangalani | 5,117 |
| Laisamis | 2,643 |
Administrative and Political Units
Administrative Units
There are 4 sub counties, 16 divisions, 63 locations and 127 sub-locations.
Sub-Counties
- Saku
- North Horr
- Laisamis
- Moyale
Electoral constituencies
There 4 constituencies and 20 county assembly wards.
Political Leadership
Mohamed Mohamud Ali is the Governor and was elected in 2017 and his deputy is Solomon Gubo Riwe. He replaced Ukur Yattani, the first governor of Marsabit county and currently the Cabinet Secretary of National Treasury & Planning. Gordana Hargura is the Senator and has been senator since 2013. Nasra Ibrahim Ibren is the first elected women representative and was replaced in 2017 general elections by Safia Sheikh Adan.
For Marsabit County, the County Executive Committee comprises:-
| Number | |
|---|---|
| The Governor | 1 |
| The Deputy Governor | 1 |
| The County Secretary | 1 |
| The CEC Members | 10 |
| Total | 13 |
Source
Members of Parliament 2017-2022 (Marsabit County)
- Hon. Wario, Qalicha Gufu of Jubilee Party (JP) Member of Parliament Moyale Constituency.
- Hon. Ganya, Francis Chachu of Fap Party Member of Parliament North Horr Constituency.
- Hon. Raso, Dido Ali of Jubilee Party (JP) Member of Parliament Saku Constituency.
- Hon. Arbelle, Marselino of Jubilee Party (JP) Malimo Member of Parliament Laisamis Constituency.
Education
There are 277 ECD centres 209 primary schools and 31 secondary schools. The county has also 1 teachers training colleges, 4 Youth Polytechnics, 106 adult training institutions and 6 technical training institutions.
List of Secondary Schools in Marsabit County
1. Marsabit Boys High School – Boys Boarding – 16305101
2. Moi Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 16305102
3. Dakabaricha Secondary School – Mixed Day – 16305104
4. Sasura Girls’ Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 16305202
5. Moyale Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 16311101
6. Moyale Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 16311102
7. Maikona Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 16320301
8. Dr. Godana Memorial Boys Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 16320302
9. Laisamis Secondary School – Mixed Boarding – 16321101
10. Sololo Boys Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 16340201
11. Obbu Girls Secondary School – Girls Boarding – 16340202
12. North Horr Secondary School – Boys Boarding – 16358101
13. Loiyangalani Secondary School –Mixed Boarding – 16359101
Health
There is a total of 111 health facilities, hospital beds in the county. County has 457 health personnel of different cadre.
HIV prevalence is at 1% below the national 5.3% (Kenya HIV Estimates 2011)
Transport and Communication
The county is covered by 5,000 Km of road network. of this 4,108 km is covered by earth surface, 580 km is murram surface and 312 km of surface is covered by Bitumen.
There are two post office with 1,000 installed letter boxes, 717 rented letter boxes and 283 vacant letter boxes.[33]
Electoral constituencies
| Constituencies of Marsabit County | ||
|---|---|---|
| Map | Constituency Name | Constituency No. |
| Moyale | 45 | |
| North Horr | 46 | 109,179 |
| Saku | 47 | 46,502 |
| Laisamis | 48 | 65,669 |
| Total | 291,166 |
Subdivisions
Marsabit County is divided into six administrative divisions:
| Division | Population* | Urban pop.* | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Central | 25,100 | 10,619 | Marsabit |
| Gadamoji | 12,345 | 0 | |
| Laisamis | 24,011 | 2,817 | Laisamis |
| Loiyangalani | 16,965 | 1,054 | |
| Maikona | 55,518 | 20,100 | Maikona |
| North Horr | 68,539 | 30,343 | North Horr |
| Total | 202,298 | 97,677 | – |
| * 1999 census. Sources:, |
