The county is located in northern Kenya. It borders the eastern shore of Lake Turkana. Important topographical features are: Ol Donyo Ranges in the southwest, Mount Marsabit in the central part of the county, Hurri Hills in the northeastern part of the county, Mount Kulal in the northwest and the mountains around Sololo-Moyale escarpment in the northeast. The Chalbi Desert makes up much of the center region of the county.
Physical and Tropical Features
The county is made of an extensive plain lying 300m and 900m above sea level which gently slopes towards the south east. Some of the prominent features include Ol Donyo, Mt. Marsabit, Hurri Hills Mt. Kulal and the Sololo-Moyale escarpment.
Climatic Conditions
The county experience semi-arid climatic conditions with an average temperature range between 15C – 26C and Annual rainfall ranges between 200mm and 1,000mm per annum. long start in April and May and short rain seasons from November and December.
Demographics
The county has a total population of 459,785 of which 243,548 are males, 216,219 females and 18 intersex persons. There are 77,495 household with an average household size of 5.8 persons per household and a population density 6 people per square kilometre. Population
Urban Centre
2019 Population
Moyale
37,387
Marsabit
14,907
Sololo
9,104
Loiyangalani
5,117
Laisamis
2,643
Administrative and Political Units
Administrative Units
There are 4 sub counties, 16 divisions, 63 locations and 127 sub-locations.
There 4 constituencies and 20 county assembly wards.
Moyale Constituency
North Horr Constituency
Saku Constituency
Laisamis Constituency
Political Leadership
Mohamed Mohamud Ali is the Governor and was elected in 2017 and his deputy is Solomon Gubo Riwe. He replaced Ukur Yattani, the first governor of Marsabit county and currently the Cabinet Secretary of National Treasury & Planning. Gordana Hargura is the Senator and has been senator since 2013. Nasra Ibrahim Ibren is the first elected women representative and was re-elected in 2017 general elections. For Marsabit County, the County Executive Committee comprises of:-
Hon. Raso, Dido Ali of Jubilee Party Member of Parliament Saku Constituency.
Hon. Arbelle, Marselino of Jubilee Party Malimo Member of Parliament Laisamis Constituency.
Education
There are 277 ECD centres 209 primary schools and 31 secondary schools. The county has also 1 teachers training colleges, 4 Youth Polytechnics, 106 adult training institutions and 6 technical training institutions.
Health
There is a total of 111 health facilities, hospital beds in the county. County has 457 health personnel of different cadre. HIV prevalence is at 1% below the national 5.3%.
Transport and Communication
The county is covered by 5,000 Km of road network. of this 4,108 km is covered by earth surface, 580 km is murram surface and 312km of surface is covered by Bitumen. There are two post office with 1,000 installed letter boxes, 717 rented letter boxes and 283 vacant letter boxes.
Electoral constituencies
Subdivisions
Marsabit County is divided into six administrative divisions: