Turkana registers alarming population growth

Turkana County has registered a rapid population growth causing the National Council for Population and Development (NCPD) to call for policies to normalize this.

According to the 2009 census, Turkana had a population of 855,922 people and 95% of this live below the poverty line.

NCPD says that the population growth rate in the region stands at 4.2 per cent while the national rate is 2.7 per cent.

Simon Kitambaa, the NCPD chairman, noted that when the statistics are broken down further, a Turkana woman bears eight children on average.

“This high level of fertility is a key cause of poverty in Turkana region. Residents need to reduce the population growth rate through birth control methods,” noted Kitambaa.

Mike Ewoi, Lapur Ward Member of the County Assembly (MCA), said that small families are manageable in terms of medical, health and basic needs provision.

NCPD now wants stakeholders to join the sensitization campaign to enlighten the community on the importance of birth control.

The two were speaking on Thursday, October 13 at Lapur in Turkana.

Written by Lucy Ade