Wetlands in Isiolo County
Lorian Swamp: The Great Bed of Reeds
One of the most important wetlands in Kenya, Lorian Swamps, also happens to the most mysterious, its origins, existence and current state remaining obscure, abstruse and imaginary. Even today, with the evolution of lines of communication and motoring ability, it is difficult to determine an exact route to this mysterious wonder. It’s not impossible to get to, yet, to go boldly into this unknown attraction has only been achieved and documented by a very select echelon of explorers.
The 151 km2 Lorian Swamp, meaning swamp in the local Laigop lingo, was first reported on, exploratorily, by William A. Chanler and Ludwig Von Höhnel, in 1898, who detailed it as of a great extent filled with high reeds. They further stated that it occasionally overflowed, and sent its waters farther east. The duo had solved the problem of the destination of the Ewaso Nyiro, however, one problem not yet solved was that of the river terminus once it continued easterly enroute Somalia.
Thanks to their hell-bent adventure of Chanler and Höhnel, the Lorian Swamp became a point of discussion for those interested in British East Africa, as to whether the Ewaso Nyiro River flows out of the Lorian Swamp or not; and if it did not, whether there was any marked river bed running down towards the Indian Ocean. In July of 1912, C.W. Haywood was ordered to proceed to Wajir and Lorian Swamp, in order to report on the country, movement of tribes, and other matters.
His journey was also treacherous, through considerable stretches of waterless country, with distress to his sizeable caravan of nine camels. In 1927, Haywood documented his finding in the book Mysteries of the Lorian Swamp: “Lorian Swamp, for a very large swamp which is known to the Somalis, and marked on my sketch-map, as Jaffa Wein, is the only one of any size anywhere in the vicinity, as I was able to determine by walking up the Ewaso Nyiro River towards it.
He cited the Lorian Swamp been probably about 10 miles long by about 6 broad, in the very driest season after several rainless months. As to the question alluded to by Chandler and Hornel previously, as to whether the Ewaso Nyiro flows out, Haywood arrived at the same conclusion: The River Ewaso Nyiro runs out of the Lorian Swamp in a fairly large stream and then flows in a south-easterly direction for about thirty miles, when it reaches a fairly sized swamp known as ‘Ururaha’.
Here the river splits up into little swamps running off in different directions like the fingers of a hand and gradually trickles out in a tiny stream a few feet in width and about six inches in depth. This runs on for about ten miles, gradually dwindling till it eventually dries up entirely near Marer Koh, where the dry watercourse known as Lak Dera, which runs down in the direction of Afmadu in middle Jubaland.
Little is known of the Lorian Swamp due to the hostile terrain and inaccessibility, despite being one of the largest wetlands anywhere in Kenya. The Ewaso Nyiro River runs for 700 km before it finally reaches the lofty bed of reeds nearby Habaswein. Unknown to many is also one its peculiar headwaters, Lake Ol’ Bolossat, the only lake in central Kenya. Naro Moru River is the southernmost tributary to the Ewaso Nyiro River, which drains the northern and western slopes of Mount Kenya, the northern Aberdares, and the picturesque Laikipia plains.
The Lorian Swamp, when viewed from current satellite images, has a swampy zone of 196 kilometres long and a greatest width of 25 kilometres, covering an area of 231,000 hectares. Apart from the Ewaso Nyiro River, the Lorian Swamp is also fed by wadis from the southwest and the northeast. Indeed, water flowing out of Lorian Swamp rarely reaches the ocean; instead, it seeps into the plains of Somalia. Experts, however, are fearful of the effects of global warming.
A word of caution: Ewaso Nyiro is not to be confused with the Southern Ewaso Nyiro, which is much shorter, flowing for about 220 km from its origin in the Mau Escarpment and draining into Lake Natron, beyond Kenya’s southern boundary.
Kenya boasts a variety of wetlands, each offering unique ecological, cultural, and recreational opportunities. Kenya’s lakes along the Rift Valley, like Lake Baringo, Lake Bogoria, and Lake Elementaita, have wetland areas important for resident and migratory birds. All wetlands are important for biodiversity conservation and contribute to local economies through tourism, fishing, and agriculture.
Index of Wetlands in Kenya
Baringo County - Loboi Swamp, Busia County - Yala Swamp, River Sio Siteki Swamp, Budalang'i Delta, Garissa County - Lorian Swamp, Kajiado County - Shompole Swamp, Lake Amboseli, Kiambu County - The Ondiri Swamp, Kilifi County - River Sabaki Delta, Kisumu County - Nyando (Kusa) Wetland, Machakos County - Athi River Basin, Nakuru County - Rift Valley Wetlands, Nandi County - Kingwal Swamp, Narok County - Mara River Arc, Tana River County - Tana River Delta, Taita Taveta County - Kanderi Swamp
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.
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A Guide to Isiolo County
A Summa Digest of Isiolo
About Isiolo Way Back When
42 Destinations in Isiolo County, arranged as one would visit these - south, north, east then north - with aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Isiolo Town, St. Eusebius Cathedral, Isiolo Jamia Mosque, Isiolo Memorial, Kisimani Eco Resort, Isiolo Falls, Kaita and Degushi Hills, Nyambeni Range, Magado Crater, Cave Dwellings, Harr Girrissa, Mlima Tatu, Kubi Turkana, Garba Tula, Gotu Falls, Gotu Cultural Centre, Biliqo Bulesa Conservancy, Merti Plateau, Merti Catholic Church, Ewaso Nyiro River, Lorian Swamp, Malka Cultural Centre, Bisanadi National Reserve, Kora Wells, Leparua Conservancy, Ol Lentille Conservancy, The Sanctuary at Ol Lentille, Oldonyiro Conservancy, Nantudu Spire Rock, Nasuulu Conservancy, Buffalo Springs National Reserve, Buffalo Springs, Samburu National Reserve, Samburu Simba Lodge, Shaba National Reserve, Sarova Shaba Lodge, Joy’s Camp, Nakuprat Gotu Conservancy, Boji Dera Camp, Sera Conservancy, Isiolo Cultural Festival, Camping in the Great North
Know More About Isiolo County: Its Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - with the aid of strip maps, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
Isiolo is almost always hot and dry at most months of year, with a mean of 30oC, and two rainy seasons. The rainfall received is historically erratic, scarce and unreliable.
Isiolo can be split into three ecological zones, semi-arid, arid and very near desert arid. The smallest, useful, semi-arid zone covers only 5% the county, around Kinna region.