About Isiolo, Kenya

Isiolo is a small but cosmopolitan town located in Isiolo District, just north of Mt. Kenya, in a semi-arid landscape. It is competitively located nearly halfway between Meru town and Nanyuki, connecting the formerly British titled NFD (Norther Frontier District), now the upper-reaches of Eastern and North Eastern Provinces, with the more modernized/westernized Central and Eastern provinces. As some Kenyans say, "Once you've reached Isiolo you've finally entered Kenya." From Isiolo it is only a short four hour bus ride to Nairobi City Centre.

Isiolo hosts a mix of tribes including: Boran, Somali, Turkana, Samburu and Rendille (all traditional pastoralists) and the Meru (agro-business), with a number of other tribes from all over Kenya also being present (due to military bases located in the vicinity). The town is nearly half Christian and half Muslim.

Isiolo is surrounded by three National Parks: Samburu, Shaba and Buffalo Springs, as well as Lewa Downs Conservancy and Il Ngwesi and is known for its natural beauty and abundance of wildlife. It has been targeted in Kenya's Vision 2030 plan as a high-end tourist resort city complete with an international airport, casinos, and an increased number of safari lodges.

Isiolo has a long history of conflict usually due to traditional battles over grazing lands and water rights, though all too often inflamed or encouraged by local politicians, including the tribal clashes of 2002.