Turkana County is by far the largest county in North Rift. It is almost totally desert or semi-desert, but shares a huge lake, Lake Turkana, the largest desert lake in the world, with Marsabit County. Turkana has the western shore and Marsabit that on the east. Quite small sections of the Lake shoreline border on Ethiopia and Samburu County. The discovery in the sands and shattered rocks of Turkana of some of the oldest and best-preserved fossils of pre-humans and proto-humans, together with a wide variety of animals, points to a wetter and more luxuriant past. The recent discovery of oil in the geological formation called the ‘Turkana basin” indicates that millenia ago it was heavily forested. Petrified remains of these ancient cycad tree may be seen in Sibiloi National Reserve.

The present inhabitants of Turkana, the Turkana people, were, until recent times, essentially nomadic pastoralists herding goats and camels. Some are now trying a more sedentary life on and around population centers, particularly Lodwar. Others have turned to fishing. By the accounts of early colonialists, prior to the 1930s, the Turkanas had a taboo about eating fish and had no interest or knowledge in catching them. At the present time, fishing is the principal source of livelihood for the lakeside communities. Some fish are sold into the local market in Lodwar town and a small quantity survives the long journey into the urban markets of central and western Kenya.

For many visitors, the main attractions of Turkana are the stark beauty of the landscapes and appreciating the culture and self-sufficiency of the people that enables them to survive their harsh lands and conditions.

Fortunately, visiting is greatly easier than it was even 10 years ago. This is because of a well-maintained airfield in Lodwar and regular flights from Eldoret and Nairobi.