In this article, the topic of Eastern Province (Kenya) will be addressed, which has been the object of interest and study in various areas of knowledge. Eastern Province (Kenya) is a topic that arouses curiosity and debate among experts and fans, since its relevance transcends geographical and temporal boundaries. Throughout history, Eastern Province (Kenya) has been the object of analysis and reflection, generating conflicting and enriching opinions. In this sense, it is essential to deepen our understanding and assessment, in order to understand its impact on society and on the development of ideas and knowledge. Through an exhaustive analysis, we seek to shed light on the key aspects of Eastern Province (Kenya), exploring its implications and possible future prospects.
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Eastern Province
Mkoa wa Mashariki | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 0°0′N 38°0′E / 0.000°N 38.000°E | |
Country | Kenya |
No. of Counties: | 8 |
Capital | Embu |
Area | |
• Total | 140,698.6 km2 (54,324.0 sq mi) |
Population (2009) | |
• Total | 5,668,123 |
Time zone | UTC+3 (EAT) |
The Eastern Province (Swahili: Mashariki) of Kenya was one of 8 Provinces of Kenya. Its northern boundary ran along with that of Ethiopia; the North Eastern Province and Coast Province lay to the east and south; and the remainder of Kenya's provinces, including Central Province, ran along its western border. The provincial capital was Embu.
On 16 July 2009, the province was sub-divided into three sub-provinces, namely Lower Eastern with Machakos as headquarters, Central Eastern with Meru as headquarters, and Upper Eastern with Marsabit as headquarters; however, those changes never took effect due to the political wrangles in the Kenyan coalition government at the time. The sub-division of provinces was carried out in all seven provinces of Kenya, excluding Nairobi. As of March 2013 after the Kenyan general election, 2013, the Eastern Province was subdivided into eight counties, namely:
Code | County | Former province | Area (km2) | Population census 2009 |
Capital |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | Marsabit | Eastern | 66,923.1 | 291,166 | Marsabit |
11 | Isiolo | Eastern | 25,336.1 | 143,294 | Isiolo |
12 | Meru | Eastern | 7,003 | 1,356,301 | Meru |
13 | Tharaka-Nithi | Eastern | 2,609.5 | 365,330 | Chuka |
14 | Embu | Eastern | 2,555.9 | 516,212 | Embu |
15 | Kitui | Eastern | 24,385.1 | 1,012,709 | Kitui |
16 | Machakos | Eastern | 5,952.9 | 1,098,584 | Machakos |
17 | Makueni | Eastern | 8,008.9 | 884,527 | Wote |
Totals | 140,698.6 | 5,668,123 | - |
The province was principally inhabited by the Meru, Kamba, Embu, and several pastoralist communities. In 1979, its population was 2.7 million; in 1999, 4,631,779 (according to the 1999 census) and in 2009 the province would have had a population of 5,668,123. In terms of area, it was the second largest province at (140,698.6 km2) in Kenya.
Eastern Province of Kenya includes the Chalbi Desert, Mount Kenya, and the eastern half of Lake Turkana. The climate in the region is arid to semi-arid. Its most important permanent river is Ewaso Ng'iro.