Tana River District
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This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2007) |
| Tana River District | |
|---|---|
| — District — | |
 Tana River District
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| Coordinates: 1°30′S 40°0′E / 1.500°S 40.000°ECoordinates: 1°30′S 40°0′E / 1.500°S 40.000°E | |
| Country | Kenya |
| Province | Coast Province |
| Area | |
| • Total | 38,446 km2 (14,844 sq mi) |
| Population (1999) | |
| • Total | 180,901 |
| Time zone | EAT (UTC+3) |
Tana River District is a district of Coast Province, Kenya. It is named after the Tana River itself. It has an area of 38,446 square kilometres (14,844 sq mi) and a population of 180,901 according to the 1999 census.[1] The district capital is Hola (sometimes known as Galole).
The major ethnic groups are the Pokomo, many of whom are farmers, and the Orma and Wardey, who are predominantly nomadic. The district is generally dry and prone to drought. Rainfall is erratic, with rainy seasons in March–May and October–December. Conflicts have occurred between farmers and nomadic peoples over access to water. Flooding is also a regular problem, caused by heavy rainfall in upstream areas of the Tana River. On 22 August 2012, in the worst violent incident in Kenya since 2007, at least 52 people were killed in ethnic violence in the Tana River District between the Orma and Pokomo groups.
Tana River district presents an interesting case of the nexus between conflict and food security. A recent survey prepared by ALMRP, Tana River District and presented to the Tana River District Steering Group (2004) found that the district is 79% food insecure and with an incidence of poverty at 62% (Interim Poverty Strategy Paper (I-PSP), 2000–2003, Kenya). Tana River district comprises several areas of forest, woodland and grassland which are minor centres of endemism. The forests are designated National Reserve status if they have >4 plant endemics and >7 vertebrate endemics (IUCN, 2003). Despite the apparent adequate natural resources, the region remains marginalised from the rest of the country. Efforts at development always seem to centre around the huge River Tana, despite massive failures in all the previous irrigation projects in the district, i.e. Bura, Hola and the Tana delta rice irrigation project which failed after the water works were damaged by the el nino rains in 1998.
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District subdivisions [edit]
Despite the large area of the Tana River district, its only local authority is Tana River County Council. The district has three constituencies: Garsen, Galole and Bura.
| Administrative divisions | |||||
| Division | Population* | Urban population* |
population density |
Area (km²) | Headquarters |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangale | 14,853 | 0 | 2 | x | |
| Bura | 28,848 | 0 | 6 | x | Bura |
| Galole | 34,948 | 9,383 | 4 | x | Hola |
| Garsen | 51,592 | 4,885 | 4 | x | Garsen |
| Kipini | 16,243 | 0 | 19 | x | Kipini |
| Madogo | 21,731 | 0 | 12 | x | |
| Wenje | 12,686 | 0 | 23 | x | Wenje |
| Total | 180,901 | 14,268 | 5 (average) | x | |
| * 1999 census. Sources:[2][3] | |||||
2012 ethnic violence [edit]
On 22 August 2012, in the worst violent incident in Kenya since 2007, at least 52 people were killed in ethnic violence in the Tana River District between the Orma and Pokomo groups.[4]
References [edit]
- ^ "Districts of Kenya". Statoids.com. Retrieved 2012-08-23.
- ^ Communications Commission of Kenya – Status of Coverage of Communications Services[dead link]
- ^ International Livestock Research Institute – Urban Poverty (.xls)
- ^ "Dozens killed in Kenya clashes". Al Jazeera. 22 August 2012. Retrieved 22 August 2012.
External links [edit]
- Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs – Kenya AdminLevels 1-4
- Tana River District: a showcase of conflict over natural resources at ITDG
- Map of the District
