From 24 to 26 May 2013, the Lake Turkana Festival will take place in Loiyangalani for the sixth consecutive year. The event will feature unique performances and demonstrations of ten ethnic communities which live in the Lake Turkana region: El Molo, Rendille, Samburu, Turkana, Dassanach, Ghabra, Borana, Konso, Wata and Burji. Beyond the presentation of cultural dances and traditions of the participating communities, this year’s festival will also focus on economic development courtesy of the Loiyangalani community, National Museums of Kenya, Private Safaris (K) Ltd and the German Embassy.

The festival seeks to promote peace and reconciliation in the area. It also provides a platform during which actors from the region as well as investors from the private sector, expatriates, government authorities, non-governmental organisations and other institutions come together, discuss major challenges pertaining to the Turkana Basin, explain projects and ideas and actively engage in developing Northern Kenya sustainability.

The 2013 series will run for three days and will specifically  focus on economic development of Northern Kenya in a devolved system of government. Amongst other activities, the programme will feature a panel discussion by high-ranking experts on various topics. Some of those involved include Mugo Kibati, Dr Hennigtone Gaya, Marsabit County Governor Ukur Yattani, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Sports and Arts Dr Hassan Wario and representatives of the private sector investors Tullow Oil and Lake Turkana Wind Power Project.

Loiyangalani is a small town located on the south-eastern coast of Lake Turkana. The name means “a place of many trees” in the native Samburu tongue and is home to the El Molo, an almost extinct community, amongst other communities. Its main industries include fishing, tourism and gold panning. 

June 2008, the National Museums of Kenya officially opened the first and only Desert Museum in Loiyangalani, which mirrors the cultures and lifestyles of the eight communities that live in this area. This is also the year when the 1st Cultural Festival took place celebrating and uniting all tribes affiliated to Loiyangalani, that live around Lake Turkana. 

For more information contact the National Museums of Kenya:

Tel: 3742131-4 Ext. 2351 or email: publicrelations@museums.or.ke