In 1920, Tanaland Province was abolished, part of the district was administered from Kismayu and was transferred to the Northern Frontier in 1922.
[3] In 1963, Tana River was one of the districts of the Coast Province of Kenya[4] The major ethnic groups are the Pokomo, many of whom are farmers, and the Orma and Wardey, who are predominantly nomadic.
Flooding was also a regular problem, caused by heavy rainfall in upstream areas of the Tana River.
On 22 August 2012, in the worst violent incident in Kenya since 2007, at least 52 people were killed in ethnic violence in the Tana River District between the Orma and Pokomo groups.
On 22 August 2012, in the worst violent incident in Kenya since 2007, at least 52 people were killed in ethnic violence in the Tana River District between the Orma and Pokomo groups.