At 1000km, Tana River is our longest and widest river system, but it also gives name to County 004 as most of its tributaries and its magnificent delta – that spreads over 30 kilometres from the coastline, lie in this county.
The Tana delta is a rich ecosystem and is designated as a Ramsar site – a measure of its importance as an ecological wetland that contributes significantly to biodiversity. The floodplains of the delta offer rich soils and great opportunity for agriculture.
County 004 is desert, grasslands and forests. Its widespread geography showcases the complexity and diversity of Kenya. The county seat is Hola, often remembered as the camp where the most hardened Mau Mau were confined in 1959. This was when eleven detainees were clubbed to death, and 23 others injured, by the colonial forces in an episode known as ‘the Hola Massacre’. It was such a stain on the colonial record that Jomo Kenyatta changed the name of the area to Galole, but after independence its original name was returned, in honour of the fighters who refused to give in, and who ultimately gave their lives for what they believed in – freedom. The name Galole now refers to a sub-county, which along with Garsen and Bura make up the county of Tana River.
Home to Kora National Reserve that has the famous Adamson’s Bridge Falls, Tana River County also hosts Arwale National Park, the Tana River Primate Reserve, the northern part of Tsavo East. Kora is perhaps best known for the stories of George and Joy Adamson who in the fifties brought to life the story of Elsa, the first lioness to be reared in captivity and then successfully released back into the wild. Kampi ya Simba in Kora is still a popular tourist spot, while the rapids of the Tana and rock climbing at Kora Rock ensure that adventure seekers can find lots to do. At its northern tip, Tana River County almost touches the Equator while at it eastern most point it hits the Indian Ocean just east of Kau.
Behold, Tana River, the county with significant history and noteworthy physical features!
