If you ever hear the words Tir-kol, you should be assured of two things, the first is that you have heard a word from the Turkana vocabulary, and the second is that it means “withstands the wilderness.” What exactly is withstanding may vary depending on the subject of conversation, but for this story, it refers to River Turkwel.
Like some rivers in Kenya, this one too undergoes change in names as it moves from one location to the other. Before it takes the name Turkwel, it begins along the slopes of the shared Mount Elgon in Bungoma County where it is called Suam River. Its defined banks are narrow but its torrential waters make their way north to Trans Nzoia County before crossing over to West Pokot where there is more appreciation for this water source. West Pokot’s semi-arid climate makes for an annual rainfall average that varies each year. Most times however, the county experiences more scorching sun than rainfall. The river’s presence throughout the year provides the residents of the area with access to drinking water and water for farming. Additionally, a section of the river provides a coast-like feel to the residents who have come to know it as their local beach.
The river doesn’t stop there though – from West Pokot, it flows further north through the stretch of desert lands through the southern end of Turkana County. The residents of the two counties have for years watched this wide terrain filled with water remains throughout the dry and extremely dry seasons. The surrounding areas are a large contrast and the river’s ability to withstands the wilderness has earned it the name Tir-kol.
By the time the River gets to Lodwar, its banks have taken more width causing an increase in tempo as it crosses Lodwar town and swiftly makes its way to the desert lake on the northern tip of Kenya.
While this river’s name converts along its course, it’s interesting to note that all names are from the local communities in the different locations along its path. On maps of Kenya and in Kenya’s geography, it is most commonly known as River Turkwel as that is the ‘largest’ (or widest) part of the river. The entire river from its source flows for approximately 200 kms before it becomes a part of Lake Turkana.
Is there another name that the Suam River / River Turkwel goes by? Have you spotted it along your travels within western and northern Kenya?
