Isiolo County: Background Information

Isiolo County is located in the northern part of the former Eastern Province.The county covers an approximate area of 25,700 km² (ICIDP, 2018-2022). It shares border with 7 other counties namely: Samburu and Garissa counties to the East, Tana River county to the South East, Kitui and Meru counties to the South West, Marsabit county to the North West and Wajir county to the North East.The county is divided into two constituencies; Isiolo North and Isiolo South constituencies with 3 administrative sub-counties namely Garbatulla, Merti and Isiolo; 10 wards; 22 locations and 43 sub-locations (KNBS, 2013).

Most parts of Isiolo County are semi-arid and receive low rainfall ranging between 300-500 mm per year with mean temperatures of 28°C. The county is generally hot and dry in most of the year with two rainy seasons though in most months of the year, the vegetation cover is very low and scattered. Activities such as charcoal burning,sand harvesting,overgrazing and overstocking contribute to the rapid depletion of the vegetation cover in the county exposing the land to soil erosion.

The short rains season occurs in October and November while the long rain occurs between March and May with an annual average of 580mm. Generally, the county supports little agricultural activity as a result of the limited rainfall with most residents practicing pastoralism often moving into neighboring counties in search of water and pasture for their livestock especially during the dry season.