Our Kenya

Turkana Timeline

5 min read

This chronological reference presents key dates and events in Turkana history from the 18th century Turkana Origins and Migration through 2026, providing a framework for understanding major developments in Turkana society, economy, politics, and environment.

Pre-Colonial Period

16th-18th centuries: Turkana gradual migration northwestward from Mt. Moroto region in present-day Uganda into present-day Turkana County.

18th-19th centuries: Turkana territorial expansion, displacement of Samburu from significant Turkana Pastoralism areas, development of Turkana pastoral economy and warrior Turkana People Overview.

Late 19th century: Turkana consolidate control over vast pastoral territory across northwestern Kenya and establish pastoral and social institutions.

Colonial Period

1890s-1900s: Early British Colonial Contact contact with Turkana. Colonial administration begins extending into Turkana territory.

1900s-1910s: Turkana resist colonial authority, particularly restrictions on raiding and pastoral autonomy. Colonial presence increases but remains light.

1918: Major British colonial punitive expedition against Turkana. Aerial bombardment deployed against Turkana settlements and pastoral camps. Extensive livestock confiscation and destruction. Traumatic event breaking organized Turkana resistance to colonial rule.

1920s-1960: Turkana District remains as a colonial "closed district," with deliberate under-investment and minimal development. Marginalization of Turkana during the colonial period shapes the post-independence context.

Post-Independence Period

1964: Kenya gains independence. Turkana District remains a marginalized region with minimal post-independence Turkana County Government investment.

1975-1985: Accelerating pastoral conflicts. Turkana-Samburu and Turkana-Pokot conflicts increase in intensity.

1984: Severe regional Drought and Famine affecting East Africa, with devastating impacts in Turkana County. Thousands of deaths in Turkana. Major international humanitarian response begins.

1980s-1990s: Proliferation of automatic firearms in pastoral regions. Pastoral conflicts intensify in lethality with gun-based warfare replacing spear-based raiding.

1990s: Kakuma Refugee Camp Refugee Camp established in 1992 to host refugees from South Sudanese and Somali conflicts.

1990s-2000s: Persistent Turkana-Pokot conflicts with high casualty rates. Multiple disarmament initiatives with limited success.

1992, 2011, 2022: Major droughts affecting Turkana, causing pastoral losses and food insecurity. Humanitarian assistance delivered by international organizations.

Oil Discovery and Development Period

2005-2012: Tullow Oil Discovery in Turkana conducts exploration drilling in South Lokichar Basin. Discovers commercially viable oil reserves.

2012: Tullow Oil announces discovery of commercial oil in Turkana County. Generates expectations of transformative development.

2013: Kenya's devolution formally established. Turkana County government created with elected governor and county assembly.

2013-2014: Early Oil Pilot Scheme (EOPS) planning and infrastructure development.

2017: Partial commissioning of Lake Turkana Wind Power project at Loiyangalani (approximately 80 MW). Project becomes Kenya's largest LTWP Wind Farm.

2017: Turkana community protests against oil operations, demanding community benefits and contract transparency.

2018: EOPS begins transporting Turkana oil by truck to Mombasa. First exports of Turkana crude oil.

2019: Lake Turkana Wind Power project reaches full commissioning (310 MW).

2021: Further Turkana community protests against oil operations, demanding implementation of promised community benefits.

Environmental and Development Events

2016: Gibe III dam on the Omo River in Ethiopia completed. Water flows to Lake Turkana reduce significantly, beginning visible lake level decline.

2010s-2020s: Lake Turkana water level decline accelerates due to upstream dam impacts. Impacts on fishing, pastoral water access, and lake ecosystem.

2011, 2022: Climate-induced droughts increase in severity. Climate Change and Pastoralism impacts become more visible.

2020-2026: COVID-19 pandemic impacts (2020-2021) affect Turkana economic activity and humanitarian operations. Recovery period 2021-2026.

Social and Political Developments

1990s-2000s: Turkana Turkana Women's peace movements emerge, engaging in cross-community peace initiatives.

2000s: Formalization of NGO and humanitarian presence in Turkana. Expansion of development and humanitarian programs.

2012-present: Oil sector becomes major factor in Turkana national politics, elevating county's political importance.

2013, 2017, 2022: County gubernatorial elections establish county-level political competition.

2000s-present: Increasing urbanization of Turkana people, rural-to-urban migration to Lodwar, Nairobi, and other towns.

2000s-present: Turkana Turkana Language and cultural preservation concerns emerge as younger Turkana shift toward Swahili and English.

Development Initiatives

2000s: Turkana Basin Institute founded, continuing paleontological research legacy.

2010s: Increased international NGO and humanitarian presence in Turkana, expanding development and service delivery programs.

2013-2026: County government development initiatives (roads, schools, Health in Turkana facilities) with mixed implementation success.

2010s-2020s: Climate adaptation programs and initiatives addressing Drought and Famine and pastoral decline.

Key Dates

1918: Colonial punitive expedition (devastating event) 1984: Famine (transformative humanitarian crisis) 2012: Oil discovery (beginning of oil era) 2013: Devolution and county government creation 2018: EOPS oil production begins 2019: Lake Turkana Wind Power reaches full capacity 2022: Latest major drought episode

Projected Future Milestones

2026-2030: Oil sector development (if LAPSSET pipeline is constructed) could transform economy; alternatively continued delays possible.

2030-2050: Climate change impacts intensify, creating increasing pastoral stress and livelihood pressures.

2030-2040: Further urbanization and livelihood diversification as pastoral options become more constrained.

2050+: Long-term outlook uncertain, dependent on oil development outcomes, climate adaptation success, and policy choices regarding Turkana Pastoralism and development.

See Also

Sources

  1. Lamphear, J. (1992). The Scattering Time: Turkana Responses to European Colonization, 1890-1918. Clarendon Press. https://oxford.universitypressscholarship.com/

  2. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (2019). 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census. KNBS. https://www.knbs.or.ke/

  3. Tullow Oil (2012). Oil Discovery and Development Timeline. https://www.tullowoil.com/

  4. Kenya Meteorological Department (2022). Climate and Drought Timeline for Kenya. Government of Kenya. https://www.meteo.go.ke/

Backlinks