Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads, Airports, Climate & National Monuments in West Pokot
Geography of West Pokot County
West Pokot County is marked by a variety of topographic features. To its north and northeastern are the dry plains, with an altitude of less than 900 ms above sea level. On its southeastern part are the Cherangani Hills with an altitude of 3,370 ms. Landscapes associated with this range of altitude include spectacular escarpments of more than 700 ms. The high altitude regions have agricultural potentials while medium altitude areas, between 1,500 ms and 2,100 ms, which receive low rainfall, are mostly pastoral rangeland. Its low altitude areas include Alale, Kacheliba, Kongelai, Masol and parts of Sigor, all prone to flash flooding.
Land Use in West Pokot County
The population in West Pokot County is predominantly rural and dependent on pastoralism as their main source of livelihood. Subsistence crop production is also undertaken in the arable areas. Land in West Pokot is by and large communally-owned and the cases of landlessness are minimal with most of the land being used communally. In most parts of Pokot Central and all of Pokot’s north Sub-counties the land is communally owned. The total acreage put under food crops and cash crops is 220 km2. This is consisted of 170 km2 under food crops and 50 km2 under cash crop tillage. Its main cash crops are coffee and pyrethrum. Coffee is cultivated around West Pokot, while pyrethrum is cultivated in Pokot South.
Highlights in West Pokot County
Touring attractions in West Pokot remain largely unexploited. Some examples of tourist attraction sites in the county include: its scenic reserves (Nasolot Game Reserve); its escarpments (Marich Pass, Kaisagat Viewpoint, Mount Mtelo and Mount Koh); ecotourism sites (Turkwel Dam). All remain untapped. Other areas of interest include Pokot Culture and Centre in Kapenguria Museum, curio shops and wildlife. Apart from these, West Pokot County is home to the Kapenguria 6 Cells.
Population in West Pokot County
The population of West Pokot County was estimated at 631,231 persons as per 2013 projections. The county’s inter-censal growth rate is 5.2% which is higher than the national average of 3.0%. Based on that growth trend, West Pokot’s population was expected to expand to 700,414 and 771,180 in 2015 and 2017 respectively. It’s also worth a mention that the youth (aged 15-34 years), who’s population estimate is 196,830, form about 31% of West Pokot’s total populace. Population distribution is influenced by climatic conditions and socio-economic development. The urban areas and high potential agricultural areas have high population distribution and density. The population density was expected to increase from 69 in 2013 to 76 and to 85 people / km2 km in 2015 and in 2017.
Airports in West Pokot County
West Pokot has no airports or airstrips.
Roads in West Pokot County
The road network in West Pokot is primarily of earth and gravel surface, which makes up 87% of the road network. The gravel surface roads cover 349 km while the earth surface roads cover 697 km. Bitumen roads cover only 151 km.
Climate in West Pokot County
The long rains in West Pokot County fall between April and August while the short rains fall between October and February. West Pokot surely experiences great variations in temperature with the lowlands experiencing temperatures of up to 33 Degrees C, and highlands experiencing moderate temperatures of 15 C.
National Monuments in West Pokot County
There are no designated national monuments in West Pokot County
Touring West Pokot County in Kenya offers a chance to explore a region known for its iconic, rugged landscapes, vibrant cultures, and rich traditions. Located in the extreme northwest part of the country, bordering Uganda, West Pokot County is primary inhabited by the Pokot community, known for their pastoralist lifestyle.
A Guide to West Pokot County
A Summa Digest of West Pokot
About West Pokot Way Back When
32 Destinations in West Pokot County, arranged as one would visit these - south to northeast - with the aid of narratives, images, strip maps and distance chart:
Kaisagat Viewpoint, Barnley's Guest House, Kapkoris Hill Viewpoint, Dini ya Roho Church, Mount Murpus, Chewoyet High School, Kapenguria Museum, Kapenguria Town, Chelanga Gardens, Tartar Falls, Kacheliba, Holy Cross Church Kacheliba, Alale Gold Mines, Suam River Beach, Kamatira Forest, Lounon Village, Cherangani Hills, Marich Pass, Marich Pass Center, Kang'alan Escarpment, Kolloa Cross Monument, Weiwei Irrigation Scheme, Tamkal Valley, Mount Koh, Sekerr Range, Mount Mtelo View Lodge, Nasolot National Reserve, Turkwel Dam, Turkwel Gorge, State Lodge, Riting
Know More About West Pokot County: Geography, Land-Use, Highlights, Population, Roads - including a distance chart, Airports, Climate & National Monuments
West Pokot has significant variations in temperature with the lower lands experiencing temperatures of up to 33oC, and highlands experiencing modest temperatures of 15oC.
West Pokot County is marked by a variety of topographic features – dry plains in the north, a hatful of ranges and hills in the mid, and in the south east Cherangani Hills.