It is bordered by the countries of Uganda to the west; South Sudan and Ethiopia, including the disputed Ilemi Triangle, to the north and northeast; and Lake Turkana to the east.

[4][5][6] The earliest late Stone Age industries in prehistory were found in Turkana, at the site of Lomekwi, and date to 3,300,000 years.

[7][8] At the archaeological site of Nataruk, in Southwest Turkana, scientists have discovered the oldest evidence of inter-group conflict in the past, establishing that warfare occurred between groups of hunter-gatherers.

[9] From 1900 until 1926, the British colonial administration in Kenya gradually established control over the Turkana people.

These had been expelled from the Kenyan town of Isiolo, and forcibly relocated to the Turkana district by the colonial administration.

[14] In 2000, the people in the north of the county were reported as being harassed by marauding Ethiopians, and were consequently forced to relocate in southern areas.

[26] The county is, however, experiencing upward reviews due to ongoing mineral explorations and inventions, especially of oil and water resources.

The current administration shares out these benefits equally to all sub counties in addition to enhancing citizen participation in development activities.

[27]Gold panning was reported (2005) as occurring at Lochoremoit, Namoruputh, Lokiriama and Ng' akoriyiek.

[36][37] The World Food Programme runs a special UN Humanitarian Air Service for UN and INGO staff.