Attractions in Turkana County
6. Nayeche Site
The 93 kms expedition from Lokichoggio Town to Kakuma travels through an unfrequented and unusual arid landscape interspersed by fetching hillocks and ranges, most notably of the Songot Mountain (close to Lokichoggio), Pelekech Range and Loima Hills (nearby Kakuma). Just 10 kms south of Kakuma Town, close to Murwana Nayeche Hill, is one of the most culturally important sites in Turkana County. The sacred Nayeche Site is venerated as the final resting place for Nayeche, the Turkana Community’s “heroine of origin”. As it goes, the Jie People of northern Uganda and the Turkana of Kenya all believe that Nayeche (a Jie woman) followed the footprints of a gray bull across the inhospitable arid plains and settled around the shore of Lake Turkana, where she gave rise to the Turkana Tribe. The site is marked by a pile of stones, neatly arranged around an almost circular enclosure. Traditionally, a layer of stone is usually built over an eminent leader’s grave and anyone who passes by afterwards adds a stone to the top of the pile. Equally august are the views of Murua Ngithigerr or Loima Hills.
7. Loima Hills
The forest cover in Turkana County is estimated at only 4 %. Some of the more impressive forests can be sighted at Loima Hills nearby Kakuma and Murwana Nayeche, in the northwestern region. Because of their higher elevation, Loima Hills are normally green, covered with dense bushes and high woody cover. As a result these support important economic activities like farming, grazing, honey production, wood and charcoal production. The Hills are also famous for their legendary deposits of gold and gemstones which remain untapped except by a few natives who collect the gemstones after the rains. Loima Hills trend in a north-south strike from near Lorugum (in the south) to Kakuma (in the north).
8. Lokiriama Peace Monument
A drive to the untravelled border post of Lokiriama from Lodwar has to be well calculated and one of purpose. It takes to a parched and dusty stretch with few and far between centres that are no more than a row of dukas. The far-removed Lokiriama is widely-known for two things; the traditional gemstone mining and the peace accord between the Turkana and the Matheniiko Communities. The Lokiriama Peace Monument, founded in 1973, memorializes the unity between the Turkana Tribe of Kenya and Matheniiko Tribe of Uganda, where they buried their weapons after decades of unsparing wars. Each year, during World Peace Day, these two tribes, and many other tribes inhabiting Turkana County, hold a euphoric-fiesta at Lokiriama to celebrate years of continued peace and kinship.
9. Christ the Redeemer Statue
On arrival at Lodwar by air the dramatic statue of Christ (with arms open wide) stands-guard over Lodwar Town atop a moderate hill adjacent Lodwar Airport. Indeed an all-embracing welcome to the dusty Lodwar town. Unmistakable and reminiscent of its opposite-number namesake in Brazil, howbeit on a slip of the scale, this Christ the Redeemer Statue at Lodwar is impressive considering its location. It was built by the Catholic Diocese of Lodwar to re-enacts the way to the cross. There is a stairway, with guard rails, that takes to the top of hill and to the base of the Statue and where spectacular views of Lodwar town, Turkwel River, Lodwar Airport and Loima Hills unfold quite dramatically. Of interest at Christ the Redeemer are Portcaeli Resort, Lodwar House, and River Kawalasee.
10. Lodwar House
The small Lodwar House set on a hillside near St. Augustine Cathedral Church is acclaimed for housing the unforgettable Kapenguria-Six during Kenya’s wend for independence. It is, by the same token, one of the most significant historic landmarks in Turkana County. Among those detained here, and sentenced to seven years with hard labour, was Kenya’s first President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta placed in custody at Lodwar House between 1959 to 1961; before he was moved to Kenyatta House in Maralal in Samburu County to serve the remainder of his term under house arrest. Lodwar House, sometimes known as Kenyatta House at Lodwar, had been originally constructed (in late 1958) by the Public Works Department for the Prison Department for the prison officials. “On the grounds there are seven houses, one toilet and a water tank pillar” – Enzi Museum. It is situated close to the Lodwar Law Courts and the Lodwar-Lokichoggio Junction.
11. Ceamo Lodge
The fast-growing tourism industry in Turkana County has brought with it a rise in the listing of commendable hotels to include the fancied Ceamo Lodge. This tastefully-outfitted resort at the heart of Lodwar Town caters to both business and leisure travellers, on a middle-budget, in a homey and serene environment. Ceamo Lodge offers a variety of accommodation options – standard, executive and the governors suite – with all the rooms spruced-up with climate control air conditioners. What’s more, Ceamo Lodge is located within easy reach of Lodwar Airport, Central Island National Park, Eliye Springs and Cradle Camp. It is also a perfect jumping-off place to many of Turkana County’s lighthouse attractions.