Attractions in Marsabit County
6. Lake Turkana Wind Project
Covering 40,000-acres nearby Loiyangalani, Lake Turkana Wind Project with a capacity of 310 MW of low cost energy, powered by 365 wind turbines, creates a rather unexpected landscape in this sparsely populated wilderness. Its scale is quite unprecedented taking into consideration that the 9th largest wind-farm in the world (Sweetwater Windpower in Nolan, Texas USA) operates 392 turbines. The Lake Turkana Wind Farm joined an elite group of large wind-farms around the world that are making a significant difference in reducing carbon footprints. When fully operational (2018) this wind-farm is set to generate sufficient clean energy to power a million homes and which will also be a huge leap forward in Kenya’s development goals of harnessing about 65% of its energy needs from renewable resources, by 2030. Lake Turkana Wind Project will, on completion, be Africa’s largest wind-farm project. It is located 53 kms north of South Horr.
7. Lake Turkana
The C77 Laisamis-Loiyangalani Road through South Horr is also the quickest route to Lake Turkana. Almost 72% of the 7,000 km2 Lake Turkana (300 kms long and 50 kms wide) lies in Marsabit County; the rest lying Turkana County. This oddity, sometimes considered a miraculous anomaly, is widely popular as the world’s largest desert lake and which is also ranked the 4th largest salt-lake following the Caspian Sea, Issyk-Kul and Lake Van. The tempestuous Jade Sea, as popularly portrayed, habours an impressive variety of wildlife that feed on the sub-surface water weeds as well as on the plants whose parts are above the water level. For the avid fisherman, Lake Turkana has been a must-go-to spot, and since the early 1900’s it has etched a reputable name as a leading site for Nile perch fishing. Today, perch of 200 pounds are not as often caught in Lake Turkana as in earlier times, though fish weighing between 100 and 200 pounds are regularly encountered. “On the brighter side, Lake Turkana happens to be an ornithological paradise with over 300 species of birds, notably during the months of European winter. The vast resident bird population is enhanced by thousands upon thousands of migrant waders, water fowl, and raptors. Large flocks of storks soar high overhead while Pelicans form sweeping flight patrols over the surface of the water and flamingos add colorful decor to the lakeshore”.
8. Oasis Club
Situated just 1.5 kilometers from Lake Turkana and elevated to provide a vista of the lake and its unique setting, Oasis Club is nestled amongst a very welcome stand of doum palms with a genuine fresh water oasis gushing from the rocks, providing shade and comfort from the barren and parched surrounding. “It is a basic but comfortable retreat for exploration of the lake and is a famed fishing center. The generous 32°C, purgative springs course between the twenty-four cottages and verdant foliage and feed the two refreshing swimming pools set beneath shady palms. The breeze cooled dining room serves modest, but tasty meals based on fresh fish from the lake, and can include ones catch of the day”. The short ride down to the lake runs through Loyangalani and its very colorful people then down the rolling, rocky slopes past small villages and herdsmen with their sheep and goats. The lakeshore near the Oasis Club offers a variety of good fishing locations, rocky points and shallow bays that are normally leeward of the prevailing east winds. “Trolling 4 rods 25 to 300 yard off shore, 5 minutes from the boat landing for two days between 3:30 PM and 6:45 PM produced a total of 23 fish, totaling over 480 pounds with the average fish weighing almost 20 pounds. Including Larry Shames’ 125.5 pounder, these catches made several heaping wheelbarrow loads when weighed at the Club scales” – John McMillan.
9. Desert Museum
Located a top a moderate hill backdropped by the picturesque Lake Turkana, this museum that opened in June 2008 is also known as Loiyangalani Museum owing to proximity to the small town. The Desert Museum was established to promote, preserve and celebrate the diversity of cultures found in this region. Loiyangalani, which in the local Samburu means ‘the place of many trees’, grew from the presence of freshwater springs and which can be termed as an oasis in the desert has been a meeting-place for about fourteen tribes for many decades.
10. Marti Rock Art
Believed to be other-worldly in nature, the rock depictions at Marti Rock Art near Loiyangalani are consisted mainly of a collection of giraffe paintings and other concentric art shapes. Located within easy reach of the Desert Museum, the Marti Rock Art occurs within a bio-sphere of lovely landscapes. Trippers to Marti Art may also be interested in visiting nearby Sarima and Kargi Rock Arts.
Abiri Kenya 