Lodwar town: The desert city transforming Northern Kenya! | This is Turkana, the media lied to us!

Lodwar is the largest town in north-western Kenya, located west of Lake Turkana on the A1 road. The main industries are basket weaving and tourism. The Loima Hills lie to the west. Lodwar is the capital of Turkana County. The town had a population of 82,970 in the 2019 census. According to the Insider’s guide to Kenya Lodwar's history began around 1933 when a trader named Shah Mohamed arrived on the banks of the Turkwell River. The roads were poor, so he brought donkeys. He eventually built a permanent trading centre in Lodwar, including a gas station. The district commissioner's office was built, followed by a small medical clinic and a government prison. Police headquarters were built in Lokitaung, as tribal disputes were common in the area. In the 1960s, missionaries built schools in and around the town. Shah Mohamed opened several stores in the remote towns of Turkana county because he was the only contractor and supplier to government departments, carried mail to the area, and supplied and transported goods for the Norwegian and Italian fish-canning projects on Lake Turkana (both of which eventually failed). During the colonial period, Lodwar functioned as a transit point for British officials moving Kenyan political prisoners to the north. Jomo Kenyatta, Kenya's first president, was restricted to house arrest for two years in Lodwar, beginning in 1959. The town had developed a reputation as an isolated outpost removed from the rest of Kenya, but in recent years Lodwar has expanded and gained commercial and economic prominence. Lodwar is considered the capital of the region, housing local and governmental facilities, including Turkana's biggest health facility and the main referral hospital, Lodwar County Hospital (LDH).[2] It is also the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lodwar. The town is served by Lodwar Airport. The Turkana Geothermal Power Station is under construction about 170 kilometres away. Lodwar has a hot desert climate (Köppen climate classification BWh) with very high temperatures and very little rainfall throughout the year. The average annual rainfall is about 210 mm (8.27 in). Lodwar has a very sunny climate year-round, with close to 3,600 hours of sunshine per year. Today, Lodwar blends tradition and modernity beautifully. You will find modern buildings standing beside traditional Turkana manyattas, while residents proudly preserve their rich cultural identity through traditional beads, songs, crafts, and weaving. The famous basket weaving industry remains one of the town’s cultural and economic highlights. Lodwar is also becoming increasingly important economically. The discovery of oil in Turkana and the growth of county government operations after devolution have significantly expanded the town’s economy. Businesses, hotels, transport services, educational institutions, and new housing developments continue to emerge across the town. Despite the harsh desert climate and extremely high temperatures, the people of Lodwar are known across Kenya for their warmth, hospitality, and resilience. Travelers often describe the region as peaceful, welcoming, adventurous, and culturally rich. The surrounding region is filled with incredible attractions including: Lake Turkana – The world’s largest desert lake Eliye Springs – Famous for sandy beaches and stunning lake views Central Island National Park Sibiloi National Park Loima Hills These attractions make Lodwar an excellent base for exploring Northern Kenya’s untouched beauty and unique landscapes. Whether you are interested in travel, culture, history, road trips, adventure, documentaries, or discovering hidden parts of Kenya, Lodwar offers an unforgettable experience unlike anywhere else in the country. If you enjoyed this journey through Lodwar town, don’t forget to LIKE, COMMENT, SHARE, and SUBSCRIBE for more amazing travel documentaries and explorations across Northern Kenya and beyond. #iammarwa #kenya #lodwar #africa #kisumu #kisumucity #wodemaya #kenyatravel #deemwango #iam_marwa #tembeakenya #davyjnr #nairobi #eldoret #kitale #lokichar #viral #documentary #uganda