Turkana District

The Turkana District was an administrative district in the Rift Valley Province of Kenya. It was the northwesternmost district in the country and is bordered by Uganda to the west; South Sudan and Ethiopia (including the disputed Ilemi Triangle) to the north and northeast; and Lake Turkana to the east. To the south and east, neighbouring districts in Kenya include West Pokot, Baringo, and Samburu, while Marsabit District lies on the opposite (eastern) shore of Lake Turkana.

The territory of Turkana District was separated from the Uganda Protectorate in two stages—the southern section in 1902 and the northern region in 1926. In 2013, Turkana County was formally established with boundaries corresponding to those of the former district.

Four Stone Age cultural sites are located along tributaries on the west side of Lake Turkana in West Turkana–at Lokalalei, Kokiselei, and Nadung. These sites attracted archaeological interest beginning in 1988.

The earliest Late Stone Age industries date from 12,000 BP.

Colonial influence, in the form of pacification within the district, began in 1900 and ended in 1918.

In 1926, the entire Turkana people were subjugated by the British military, which subsequently restricted their movements to a designated area of Kenya, thereby forcing them to settle in what is now known as Turkana District.

In 1958, the district experienced an influx of individuals identified as members of the Turkana community, who had been expelled from Isiolo Town and forcibly relocated by the British colonial administration.

The district remained almost completely isolated from external influences until 1976, when roadblocks restricting entry were removed.