Lakes in Wajir County
Lake Yahud: An Unexpected Beauty
It is certainly larger than a pond (warr) although its present designation is much contested as highly coloured. But considering that elsewhere in the world there are some that measure only a few square meters, small enough to fit in a yard, the term lake is justified to this site. The difficulties of its status may also arise from the fact that some lakes are so big that they are called seas; like the vast Lake Caspian.
Other than the contest of its size, Lake Yahud has features of a lake. It is enclosed by land. It is also of a significant depth. And while many lakes fill natural bowl-shaped depressions in the Earth’s surface, many as a result of volcanoes, others are formed by rivers, and still others are artificial or man-made, like Lake Yahud.
As Wajir turned a new leaf after decades of dissent and unrest, with the last major dust-up passing off in 1994 as the Ajuraan and Degodia clans came to blows, so did its governance and security improve, drastically, as well as that of much of northern Kenya. Concomitantly, Wajir town steadily flourished as a regional hub.
This resolution is exemplified at the modern Wajir International Airport that’s in direct communication with JKIA in Nairobi and other airports. It was built between 1977-1978 by HZ Israeli Construction Company. However, it was commissioned on September 7, 2007. The airport now serves passenger, cargo and military flights.
One of the recognizable changes to the landscape after its construction was Lake Yahud, a permanent lake situated in the periphery area of Wajir town, cordially described by the locals as “the primitive Jewish Lake that never lacks water”. Lake Yahud was formed as the result of quarrying for materials for construction of Wajir Airport in the 1970s. Once this massive quarry pit filled with rainwater, the lake formed. it was named Yahud after an affable Jewish contractor at the airport.
Whether you sit in the shadow of the scattered trees around the lake edges, or you walk around it, surrounded by an arid landscape, Lake Yahud is a stunning natural beauty. Despite its relatively small size, it is an exceptional find in these neck of the woods, at odds with the landscape that was shaped by years of the unforgiving African sun. The lake’s hues, ranging from pale blues to an intense sapphire, changing color throughout the day under the torrid sunshine are quite a draw. Lake Yahud is situated 5 km east of Wajir town, close to Wajir Airport.
Kenya is blessed with several lakes, each offering unique attractions, ecosystems, and opportunities for exploration. Shared with Uganda and Tanzania, Lake Victoria is the largest tropical lake in the world by surface area. Known for its geysers and hot springs, Lake Bogoria is among the unique lakes along Kenya’s Rift Valley. All these lakes not only provide scenic beauty but also support diverse ecosystems.
Index of Lakes Around Kenya
Baringo County - Lake Bogoria, Lake Baringo, Lake Kamnarok, Garissa County - Lake Ishaqbini, Homa Bay County - Lake Simbi Nyaima, Kajiado County - Lake Magadi, Lake Amboseli, Lake Natron, Kisii County - Lake Okari, Lamu County - Lake Kenyatta, Lake Moa, Kisumu County - Lake Victoria, Meru County - Lake Thai, Lake Nkunga, Lake Ellis, Lake Michaelson, Lake Rutundu, Lake Alice, Magado Lake, Nakuru County - Lake Solai, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Lake Oloiden, Crater Lake, Lake Elementaita, Nyandarua County - Lake Olbolosat, Siaya County - Lake Sare, Lake Namboyo, Lake Bob, Lake Kanyaboli, Taita Taveta - Lake Jipe, Lake Chala, Tana River County - Lake Shakababo, Turkana County - Lake Logipi, Lake Turkana, Lake Alablab, Wajir County - Lake Yahud
outlook
Wajir County offers a unique opportunity to explore a region known for its rich cultural heritage and unique landscapes. Its arid and semi-arid landscapes, including vast plains, rocky outcrops, and seasonal rivers, harbours plenty of wildlife adapted to arid conditions. Wajir County is a region shaped by its cultural heritage, resilience in harsh environments, and the traditions of its pastoralists.
You Are Here: Lake Yahud
Where to Next?
Explore Destinations Nearby Lake Yahud
A Guide to Wajir County
A Summa Digest of Wajir
About Wajir Way Back When
20 Destinations in Wajir County, arranged as one would visit these - north, west then south - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Wajir Oasis Hotel, Lake Yahud, Wagalla Monument, Old Wajir Town, Orahey Wells, Orahey Bunkers, Fort Wajir, Wajir Museum, Wajir War Cemetery, Esspresso Royale, Wajir Livestock Market, Wajir Giraffe Sanctuary, Shaletey Caves, Grosso Griftu, Malabar Hill, Mansa Guda Formation, Sabuli Wildlife Conservancy, Sabena Desert, Lorian Swamp, Habaswein
Know More About Wajir County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Wajir County is a featureless plain which lies between 150 ms and 460 ms above sea level. The plain rises gently from the south and east towards the north rising from 150 ms at Buna to 460 ms around Bute.
Average mean temperature within Wajir County is 29oC, with average monthly temperatures rarely going beyond 35oC. The warmest months are February and March. Rainfall is rare and minimal.
